I went through this exact situation two years ago with a $550 1099-NEC that I completely spaced on. After reading all the horror stories online, I was terrified about amending, but honestly it turned out to be much easier than I expected. I used FreeTaxUSA's amendment feature (since that's what I filed with originally) and it literally walked me through everything step by step. The hardest part was just finding my login info again! The whole process took maybe 30 minutes, and most of that was just double-checking my numbers. The additional tax ended up being about $132 in my case. I mailed in the 1040-X and got confirmation they received it about 6 weeks later. No audit, no scary letters, just a simple "we processed your amendment" notice. Trust me, the peace of mind is worth way more than the stress of wondering when they'll catch it. Plus like others mentioned, the penalties if they find it first can really add up. Just get it done and move on with your life!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - forgot a $650 1099-MISC from some consulting work. I agonized over it for weeks before finally deciding to amend. Here's what I learned: the IRS computer systems are really good at matching 1099s to tax returns, so they will eventually catch it. When they do, you'll get a CP2000 notice demanding the additional tax plus penalties and interest. For me, that would have meant turning a ~$140 tax bill into potentially $200+ with the 20% accuracy penalty. I ended up using TurboTax's amendment feature and it was honestly way easier than I expected. It imported all my original return info and I just had to add the missing 1099. Took maybe 45 minutes total including double-checking everything. The additional tax was $147 in my case. Filed it in March, got confirmation they received it in early May, and that was it. No audit, no scary letters, just peace of mind knowing I did the right thing. My advice: just bite the bullet and amend. The process isn't nearly as scary as it seems, and it's way better than waiting around wondering when they'll catch it. Plus you'll sleep better at night knowing your taxes are actually correct!

Called them yesterday and got hung up on twice. Their customer service is straight garbage

I'm in the same boat! Filed mine in late January and still nothing. The "Where's My Refund" tool just keeps saying "processing" with no timeline. Really frustrating especially when you're counting on that money. At least now I know it's not just me dealing with these crazy delays.

I went through this same situation about 6 weeks ago and can share my timeline. My return was accepted February 15th, and I received the 5071C identity verification letter on March 8th - so about 3 weeks total. However, I noticed something important: the letter was dated February 28th, which means it took an additional 8 days just for postal delivery. So the IRS actually sent it within their 10-day window, but USPS added significant delay. For your mortgage refinancing timeline, I'd suggest getting a letter from your lender stating you're waiting on IRS verification - most understand this delay and can work with you. Also, once you do get the letter, you can verify online instantly at idverify.irs.gov rather than mailing it back, which saves another 2-3 weeks of processing time.

I'm currently going through this exact same process and the waiting is driving me crazy! My return was accepted on February 28th and I still haven't received my verification letter. Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like I'm right in that 3-4 week window where it could arrive any day now. The mortgage refinancing pressure is real - I'm in the same boat and my rate lock expires in 3 weeks. One thing I discovered that might help is checking your IRS account transcript online every few days. Sometimes you can see transaction codes that indicate when the letter was actually mailed, even before it arrives. I've been obsessively checking mine and saw a new code appear last week that I'm hoping means the letter is finally on its way. Has anyone else found the online transcripts helpful for tracking verification letter status?

You're absolutely right to be concerned about this situation. As a resident alien who's been here 8+ years, you should definitely be filing Form 1040 (not dealing with 1042-S forms). The $380 in interest income needs to be reported on your amended return regardless of the amount. Here's what I'd recommend: First, file the 1040X to include the interest income and claim credit for any taxes withheld shown on the 1042-S. Second, definitely get your bank to update their records - ask specifically to fill out Form W-9 to establish your status as a U.S. person for tax purposes. The good news is that if they withheld 30% on that $380 (which is typical for 1042-S), you'll likely get most of that back since your actual tax rate on interest income is probably much lower. It's worth doing the amendment both to stay compliant and potentially get money back. Don't ignore it hoping the IRS won't notice - their automated matching systems will eventually flag the discrepancy, and it's much easier to handle proactively than deal with notices later.

I went through almost exactly the same situation last year! Been on an H-1B for 9 years and filed as a resident alien, then got a surprise 1042-S from my credit union months later. The key thing to understand is that this is purely a bank system error - they haven't updated your tax classification in their records. You're absolutely correct that as a long-term resident alien, you should be getting 1099-INT forms, not 1042-S. You do need to file the 1040X amendment, but here's the silver lining: if they withheld 30% federal tax on that $380 (which would be about $114), you'll probably get most of that back since your actual tax rate on interest income is likely much lower. So the amendment might actually result in a refund. For the bank, don't just tell them you're a "resident alien" - that term confuses tellers. Instead, ask to speak with someone about updating your "FATCA classification" and request to fill out Form W-9. Tell them you need to be classified as a "U.S. person for tax purposes." Bring your passport with current visa stamp as documentation. I had to visit two different branches before finding someone who knew what I was talking about, but once I used those specific terms, they fixed it immediately. Haven't had the problem since!

Has anyone considered just asking the seller for a receipt after the fact? I did this when I bought some shelving for my shop. Just messaged the guy, explained I needed it for taxes, and he wrote one up and texted me a photo of it. Worth a try if you still have their contact info.

Great advice from everyone here! I just wanted to add that bank records can be really helpful for supporting your documentation. If you paid with cash, check if you have an ATM withdrawal record from around that date for the same amount. Even credit card or debit card transactions for similar amounts can help establish a pattern of business purchases. Also, don't forget that Facebook Marketplace sometimes keeps a record of your conversations with sellers. Screenshot those messages if they mention the items or price - it's contemporaneous evidence that supports your self-created receipt. The IRS appreciates when taxpayers make good faith efforts to document legitimate business expenses, even when formal receipts aren't available. One more tip: if you're planning to make more private purchases for your business, consider carrying a simple receipt book or using a phone app to create receipts on the spot. Makes everything so much cleaner for tax time!