Has anyone used TurboTax for reporting income without a 1099? Does it ask for the form specifically or can you just enter the income amount?

You're absolutely right to be concerned, but don't stress too much! You can definitely file your taxes without the 1099-NEC. The key thing is that you report all your income accurately - which you can do since you have your bank records showing the $4,800. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Report the $4,800 on Schedule C as freelance income 2. Keep all your bank statements and any emails/contracts with the client as documentation 3. Send one final professional email to the business stating you need the 1099-NEC and that the deadline has passed 4. If they still don't send it, you can report them to the IRS using Form SS-8 (though this isn't required for you to file your taxes) The IRS cares that you report your income correctly, not whether you physically have the form. You're being responsible by reporting everything you earned. Don't let their delay hold up your tax filing!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the timing of when you make this improvement. If you're planning to do this work early in 2025, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to accelerate it into 2024 depending on your current year income situation. Also, since you're dealing with water damage and erosion, make sure to document the current damage with photos and get it assessed before you build the wall. This helps establish that you're making a necessary protective improvement rather than an optional enhancement. The IRS likes to see clear evidence that structural improvements were driven by genuine business necessity rather than personal preference. Have you considered getting multiple contractor quotes? Sometimes having 2-3 professional assessments that all identify the same erosion threat can strengthen your documentation for the business purpose of this expense.

That documentation strategy is excellent - weekly photos showing progressive erosion will be incredibly valuable for establishing business necessity. For the contractor quotes, I'd definitely ask each one to specifically address the threat to your business operations. Having them state something like "failure to install retaining wall will result in continued foundation exposure that could compromise the structural integrity of the business workspace" gives you professional third-party validation of the business purpose. Since you're looking at March 2025 timing, you might also want to check if your state/locality has any permits required for retaining walls. Getting the proper permits not only ensures you're compliant but also creates an additional paper trail showing this is a legitimate structural improvement rather than DIY landscaping. One more thought - consider having your business insurance agent review the situation too. Even if they don't cover the retaining wall cost, having them document that the erosion poses a risk to your business property creates another layer of professional assessment supporting your position that this is a necessary business expense.

Just wanted to add - if you were claimed as a dependent on someone else's return (like your parents), the filing thresholds are different. For 2021, dependents with only earned income needed to file if they made more than $12,550. But if you had unearned income (like interest), it gets more complicated. Also, even if you weren't required to file, you might want to anyway to get back that withheld tax. It's only $20 total between both years, but that's still your money!

One thing nobody's mentioned: if you were a full-time student and your income was that low, you might qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit for those years! Worth looking into if you paid tuition or had educational expenses.

What tax software are people using for old returns like 2021? Can you still use TurboTax or H&R Block for prior years? I'm in a similar situation and not sure which option is best.

I went through this exact same situation with my 2020 return! The panic is real but you're actually in a much better position than you think. Since you're owed a refund, you have zero penalties to worry about. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - gather ALL your documents first before you start filing. I made the mistake of starting with just my W-2 and then realized I was missing my 1099-MISC from that side gig income you mentioned. It delayed everything by weeks. For your $3,800 side gig income, you'll definitely need to file a Schedule C if it was freelance/contractor work, and don't forget about potential business deductions you might have had that year - home office, supplies, mileage, etc. Those can really add up and increase your refund. Also, double-check your bank records from 2021-2022 to see if you made any estimated tax payments that you might have forgotten about. I found I had made a small quarterly payment that I completely forgot about, which added another $400 to my refund. The whole process took me about 6 weeks from filing to receiving my refund, but that included the time I spent tracking down missing documents. You've got this!

Did you claim any recovery rebate credit, earned income credit, or child tax credit on your return? Those trigger automatic reviews this year and are causing major delays. Also check if there were any math errors on your return. The IRS has been overwhelmed with corrections for simple math mistakes that slow everything down.

I'm dealing with a similar situation - my refund has been delayed for 6 months now. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing there might be more options than I thought. For what it's worth, I did finally get through to the IRS using the early morning calling strategy someone mentioned. Called at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday and got connected after about 2 hours on hold (which felt like a miracle compared to my previous attempts). The agent was actually very helpful and could see exactly what was holding up my return. In my case, it turned out to be an issue with my employer's reporting that didn't match my W-2. The agent explained that these discrepancies often aren't caught until months later in the process, which explains the long delay with no communication. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your documentation ready when you do get through to someone - your AGI from last year's return, exact refund amount, and any relevant tax documents. The agents can often resolve things on the spot if you have everything they need. Victoria, given that you're at 8 months now, you definitely qualify for Taxpayer Advocate Service assistance. That might be your best bet at this point, especially with the financial hardship from needing those home repairs.