I just checked my tax return copy and all my banking info looks correct. I've been using the same account for direct deposits from the IRS for the past 3 tax seasons without issues. The status on the Where's My Refund tool specifically says "refund approved" with the May 3 date, not that there are any problems with the deposit info. Is it possible they're just extra backed up this year? It seems weird that they'd approve it but then wait so long to actually send the money.

Yes, they are definitely more backed up this year than usual. I've been preparing taxes for family members for years, and I've noticed much longer processing times this season. The IRS has been dealing with staffing shortages and outdated computer systems. When they approve a refund but schedule it for weeks later, it's often because they're spreading out the payment processing to manage their workflow. Think of it as them putting you in a payment queue based on various factors including filing date, complexity, and even the amount of the refund.

I tried contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service last month for a similar issue. Unfortunately, they're also extremely backed up and told me they're only taking the most severe hardship cases right now. They said unless I was facing immediate eviction or had medical treatments I couldn't receive without the money, they couldn't help with "routine" refund delays.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Did you file the amended 941-X forms yourself or use an accountant? Did the IRS contact you for additional information after you filed?

I used our regular farm accountant to file the 941-X forms. I wouldn't recommend trying to do it yourself unless you're very familiar with payroll tax filings - there are some tricky calculations involved. The IRS did contact us about 4 months after filing for additional documentation. They specifically wanted proof of the government orders we were subject to and documentation showing how those orders impacted our operations. We had prepared for this and had saved all the relevant county health department orders plus our own written policies we implemented in response. They accepted our documentation without issue and processed the refund about 2 months later.

From what I've heard, the IRS has definitely increased scrutiny on ERTC claims. They announced it as an enforcement priority last fall. Farms seem to be getting extra attention because many agricultural operations didn't actually have government-mandated shutdowns like retail or restaurants did.

I've heard that taking the EIC (Earned Income Credit) increases audit risk substantially. Is that true or just another tax myth? I qualify but I'm hesitant to claim it.

The EIC does have a somewhat higher audit rate, but it's still quite low overall. The IRS typically focuses on very specific EIC issues like claiming children who don't meet residency requirements or reporting self-employment income without documentation. If you legitimately qualify and have documentation to support your claim (proof of income, relationship to any qualifying children, etc.), you should absolutely claim it. The credit was designed to help working people, and leaving money on the table because of audit fears means the system isn't serving its purpose. Just make sure your claim is accurate and you can substantiate it if asked.

This matches what my CPA told me too. She said most "audits" for regular people are just automated letters asking you to verify specific items, not the full-blown audits we fear with agents combing through every receipt. Unless you're super wealthy or doing something obviously suspicious, it's usually just computer verification.

Thanks for this! Question - do you know if I need to keep all the receipts from the post office for shipping costs or can I just use the eBay records that show what I spent on shipping?

You can absolutely use the eBay records that show shipping costs! eBay keeps excellent records of all shipping labels purchased through their platform, and those records are sufficient documentation for the IRS. Just download your yearly selling record which includes all those shipping costs. For any shipping supplies or postage you purchased outside of eBay (like buying boxes or stamps separately), you should try to keep those receipts, but even a credit card statement showing purchases at office supply stores can serve as backup documentation.

I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA last year for my eBay business. TurboTax wanted to charge me $120+ for the self-employment version, while FreeTaxUSA was way cheaper and handled Schedule C just fine.

Would you say the same applies for H&R Block? I've always used them in-person because I'm paranoid about making mistakes, but it costs me around $350 each year for what seems like a pretty simple return.

H&R Block's storefront preparers are generally not CPAs but trained tax preparers with varying experience levels. They're in a middle ground - more personalized than software but typically less knowledgeable than a dedicated CPA. For a straightforward return, you're probably overpaying at $350. Their software is on par with TurboTax but much cheaper, around $50-100 depending on the version. If you're comfortable trying software but want some backup, H&R Block does offer a hybrid option where you can start online but get help from a tax pro if needed. Bottom line: If your return is fairly simple, either tax software or the AI tool mentioned would likely be more cost-effective than continuing to pay $350 at H&R Block. But if that peace of mind is worth $250+ to you each year, there's value in that too!

This isn't entirely accurate. The $73k limit is for the IRS Free File program partners, but TurboTax actually left that program last year. They have their own "free" version but it's very limited in what forms it supports. With education expenses and retirement account transfers, OP would definitely get bumped to a paid tier.