Has anyone actually gotten a return to change from "received" to "approved" after owing money? I'm curious if this status ever updates or if it just stays as "received" permanently for returns where you owed.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been stressing about my 2021 and 2022 returns showing "received" status for so long. It's reassuring to hear from multiple people that this is normal for returns where you owe money rather than getting refunds. The key takeaway seems to be: if you filed your returns, paid what you owed, and haven't received any notices from the IRS requesting additional information or claiming issues with your returns, then you're in good standing regardless of what the online portal shows. The IRS prioritizes processing refunds and updating those statuses, while returns where taxpayers owe money often sit in "received" limbo indefinitely. I think I'll stop obsessively checking my account status now and just focus on staying current with my tax obligations going forward. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm in almost the exact same boat! Filed my 2022 amended return in February 2024 and still nothing showing up in "Where's My Amended Return." Reading through these comments has been super helpful - sounds like 6-8 weeks before it even shows up in their system is normal. One thing I wanted to add based on what others have shared: if you're planning to file that 2020 amendment, definitely do it ASAP! Based on what @Olivia Evans shared about the IRS agent saying 2020 amendments are being prioritized due to the approaching deadline, it sounds like there might be some advantage to getting it in sooner rather than later. Also, thank you to everyone who shared info about the various services and tools. I've been hesitant to try calling the IRS directly because of the horror stories about wait times, but knowing there are options like Claimyr might give me some peace of mind if I don't see any movement in the next few weeks. The interest payment info from @Christopher Morgan is interesting too - at least there's some compensation for the ridiculous wait times, even if it doesn't make up for the stress of wondering if your paperwork disappeared into the void!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation last year. Filed my 2021 amended return in March 2023 and didn't see ANY movement in the "Where's My Amended Return" tool until almost 10 weeks later. The silence from the IRS system is absolutely nerve-wracking, but it's unfortunately very normal right now. A few things that helped me get through the process: 1. Keep meticulous records - scan everything before you mail it, including the envelope with the postmark if you can 2. If you didn't send it certified mail (like I didn't), don't panic yet. Most returns do eventually make it through, it just takes forever to show up in their system 3. The 6-8 week timeframe mentioned by @Lauren Johnson is pretty accurate in my experience Regarding your 2020 amendment question - definitely get that filed ASAP! The deadline pressure is real, and from what others have shared, it sounds like the IRS is actually prioritizing those right now which could work in your favor. One last tip: when you do eventually see movement on your 2022 amendment, don't expect it to move quickly through the stages. Mine took another 12 weeks after it first appeared in the system to actually get processed. The whole thing was about 5.5 months from filing to refund, but the refund did include interest which was a nice surprise. Hang in there - I know the waiting is brutal when you're not even sure they received your paperwork!

PSA: If anyone else is dealing with this, direct deposit is the way to go next time... just sayin 💅

Also worth noting that if your check does get returned to the IRS due to forwarding issues, they'll typically reissue it as a paper check to your updated address once you file Form 8822. The whole process can add another 3-4 weeks though, so definitely update your address with them ASAP even if USPS forwarding is working for now.

This is why I always file a paper return. Call me old-fashioned, but at least I know it's been mailed out. 📨

I had this exact same issue two years ago! Turned out my tax prep software had a technical glitch during submission. What I learned is that you should always save/screenshot the confirmation page when you file electronically. Also, most tax prep companies have a "transmission status" page where you can check if your return actually made it to the IRS. I'd recommend logging back into whatever service you used and looking for that feature. If it shows "rejected" or "failed," you'll need to resubmit. The IRS typically updates their system within 24-48 hours of receiving a return, so if it's been longer than that and still shows nothing, something definitely went wrong with the initial submission.

Another option to consider - instead of remodeling your current kitchen, what about adding a separate small kitchenette in another part of your home specifically for the business? My sister did this in her basement for her cake business. The benefit is that you can deduct 100% of that kitchenette since it's exclusively for business, rather than trying to calculate percentages for a shared space. It might also be cheaper than a full kitchen remodel, depending on your situation. She was able to deduct the entire cost of the installation over time (had to depreciate it), plus all the appliances and equipment. Plus, she keeps her family kitchen separate from her business which makes health inspectors happy!

Great question about kitchen remodeling deductions! As someone who's helped many home-based food entrepreneurs navigate this, here are the key points to consider: **Yes, you can deduct portions of your kitchen remodel**, but documentation is crucial. Since you use the kitchen for both personal and business purposes, you'll need to establish a reasonable business-use percentage. I recommend keeping a detailed log for at least 3-4 months showing when the kitchen is used for catering prep versus family meals. **For appliances**: If an appliance is used more than 50% for business, you can deduct that percentage of the cost. A commercial-grade refrigerator used 80% for catering could have 80% of its cost deducted. **For structural improvements** (countertops, cabinets, flooring): These typically need to be depreciated over time rather than deducted immediately, but you still claim the business-use percentage of that annual depreciation. **Pro tip**: Consider whether any improvements are required by health department regulations for your catering permits. These can often be justified as 100% business expenses since they're legally required for your food service business. The fact that you're scaling up to serve 300+ people shows this is clearly a legitimate business operation, not a hobby. Just make sure you have all proper permits and keep meticulous records. A tax professional familiar with food service businesses would be worth the consultation fee to maximize your deductions while staying audit-safe.