One thing nobody has mentioned is that you might qualify for the Credit for the Elderly or Disabled (using Schedule R) depending on your income level. If you meet the IRS definition of disability and your income is below certain thresholds, this could give you a tax credit between $3,750-$7,500. For 2024 taxes, your adjusted gross income generally needs to be below $17,500 if single (higher for other filing statuses) and your nontaxable Social Security/pension/disability benefits below $5,000. Worth checking out!

I'm dealing with something similar and wanted to share what I learned from my tax preparer. Even though you were denied SSDI, you can still check the disability box on your tax forms if you meet the IRS definition - which sounds like you do based on your doctor's diagnosis and inability to work for 3+ years. One thing that might help is keeping detailed records of all your medical expenses related to your condition. Even though your LTD payments put you over the income threshold for some disability tax credits, you can still deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI. With ongoing medical care for a severe condition, this could add up to significant savings. Also, don't let the SSDI denials discourage you from continuing to appeal if you're able. The system is frustrating but many people get approved at the hearing level with proper representation. Your LTD approval actually shows that an insurance company's medical reviewers determined you're unable to work, which can be helpful evidence for your SSDI case.

Quick tip from someone who successfully claimed Form 7202 credits: make copies of EVERYTHING before you send it in! I mailed in my documentation last year and the IRS somehow lost part of it, which delayed my refund by months. Also, don't forget that for 2021, you can claim up to 10 days of sick leave (max $2,000) and up to 60 days of family leave (max $12,000) as a self-employed person. Make sure your calculation on Form 7202 is correct before submitting.

I went through this exact situation last year with my 7202 amendment! The IRS letter can be confusing, but here's what worked for me: **What to include in your mailed package:** - Complete signed 1040X form - Form 7202 with your calculations - A simple cover letter explaining your situation - COVID test results for you and your kids - Documentation showing you couldn't work (even a handwritten log of dates/hours missed is fine) - Any school closure notices or daycare communications if applicable **For the "family leave documentation" they mentioned:** This just means proof you were caring for your sick children. Doctor visit records, appointment confirmations, or even a simple statement explaining when each child was sick and how it affected your work schedule. The key is showing the IRS that you legitimately couldn't work due to COVID-related reasons. Keep it organized but don't overthink it - they're not looking for anything fancy, just clear evidence of your eligibility. Send everything certified mail and keep copies! The 30-day deadline is firm, so don't delay. Good luck with your amendment - these credits can be substantial and are worth the effort to document properly.

You should get a letter in the mail explaining why they're reviewing it. Usually takes 60-120 days to resolve these holds.

Looking at your transcript, the 570 code is definitely what's holding up your refund. The fact that your W-2 withholding (806) and earned income credit (768) show no amounts is a red flag - the IRS is likely verifying these against what employers and other sources reported. Since you're showing $0 taxable income but claiming a $4,037 refund, they want to make sure your withholdings and EIC are legitimate. This is actually pretty common for Head of Household filers with EIC claims. The good news is your account balance shows -$4,037 which means they've already calculated your potential refund amount. You should receive a CP05 or similar notice explaining what documents they need from you to verify your claims. Once you respond with the requested documentation, they'll usually release the refund within 6-8 weeks.

Could it be helpful to mention what specific issue you're having with your refund? Sometimes different problems require different departments. Are you dealing with identity verification? Missing forms? Audit concerns? Each might have a more direct approach.

I've been dealing with IRS phone issues for years and here's what actually works consistently: Download the IRS2Go app and use the callback feature when available. Instead of staying on hold, you can request a callback and they'll call you back when an agent is available. Also, if you have a local Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), you can schedule an appointment through the IRS website. Yes, it might be a week or two wait, but you're guaranteed to speak with someone face-to-face who can access your account immediately. I've found TAC appointments much more effective than phone calls for complex refund issues. The key is having multiple strategies rather than relying on just calling the main number over and over. Good luck! 🤞

One important thing nobody mentioned - make sure you're setting aside money for taxes as you go! Self-employment tax is about 15.3% on top of regular income tax. When I first started delivery driving, I didn't save anything and got hit with a $2,100 tax bill I wasn't prepared for. Now I automatically put 25-30% of my gig earnings into a separate savings account.

This is really helpful information! I'm in a similar situation as a college student looking at gig work over the summer. The mileage deduction tip is golden - I had no idea it was 65.5 cents per mile. That could really add up quickly with delivery driving. One question though - if I'm only doing this for 2-3 months like the original poster, do I still need to worry about quarterly estimated tax payments? Or is that only if you're doing gig work year-round? I'm trying to figure out if I should be setting aside money for taxes or if I can just handle it all when I file next year. Also, does anyone know if there are any good free apps for tracking mileage automatically? I feel like I'd definitely forget to log trips manually.