Dose this work for amended returns to?

This is super helpful! I've been trying to figure out my processing cycle for months. Just checked my 2023 transcript and my cycle code ends in 02 - so I'm on daily processing. No wonder I've been seeing random updates throughout the week instead of just Fridays like some people. Thanks for sharing this method, way better than guessing!

how long did it take from when u filed? im still waiting on mine

Thanks for sharing this! I'm in the same situation - got my SC refund yesterday but the tracker is still showing step 4. Good to know this is normal and not some glitch. Really appreciate you posting about it since I was starting to worry something was wrong with my deposit.

I'm a tax professional and wanted to add some clarification to help with your situation. Since your divorce was finalized in 2024, you'll file as either Single or Head of Household for your entire 2024 tax year - not Married Filing Jointly as some have suggested. Your marital status on December 31st determines your filing status for the whole year. Given that your daughter lives with you most of the time and you're supporting the household, you should definitely qualify for Head of Household status. This will give you a much better tax situation than Single - the standard deduction for HOH in 2024 is $21,900 vs $14,600 for Single, plus more favorable tax brackets. For someone at your income level ($68,500), switching from Married to Single withholding will likely reduce your take-home pay by about $150-180 per biweekly paycheck. However, this is necessary to avoid a large tax bill next April. I'd actually recommend keeping that extra $50 withholding during this transition year to be safe. Update your W-4 as soon as possible rather than waiting until January. The longer you wait, the more risk you have of underwithholding for 2024. Most payroll systems can implement W-4 changes within 1-2 pay periods, so if you submit it now, you should see the changes by December. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator at irs.gov to get personalized recommendations for your specific situation. It's free and much more accurate than trying to calculate this manually.

As someone who went through a divorce earlier this year, I completely understand the anxiety about how W-4 changes will affect your paycheck. The good news is that while you'll see less take-home pay initially, you're protecting yourself from a much bigger problem - owing a large amount at tax time. Since your divorce was finalized in 2024, you'll definitely want to file as Head of Household for this year (not Single) given that your daughter lives with you most of the time. This status has significantly better tax benefits than Single - you'll get a $21,900 standard deduction vs only $14,600 for Single filers. I'd strongly recommend updating your W-4 immediately rather than waiting until January. Every paycheck you delay increases your risk of underwithholding. When you update it, select "Single or Married Filing Separately" for withholding purposes, but make sure to claim your daughter in Step 3 to account for the tax benefits you'll get from HOH status. That extra $50 withholding you're doing? Keep it for now. You're in a transition year and it's better to get a refund than owe money. You can always adjust it next year once you see how everything works out. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator at irs.gov will give you the most accurate picture of what your paychecks will look like and help you fill out the W-4 correctly for your specific situation.

Did you claim any tax credits like the Earned Income Credit or Child Tax Credit? According to IRS Publication 17, certain credits can trigger additional verification processes that extend processing time significantly beyond the standard 21-day window.

Federal and state processing are completely independent systems, so this is totally normal! I filed around the same time and got my state refund about 2 weeks ago but still waiting on federal. The IRS is dealing with a much larger volume of returns nationwide compared to individual state tax agencies. Since you're 1099, your return likely requires additional review for self-employment income verification, which can add several weeks to processing time. I wouldn't worry unless you hit the 8-week mark from your acceptance date. The "Where's My Refund" tool should update once it moves through their queue.

Wait, I thought Schedule C doesn't even have a place for COGS unless you check the inventory box? If you're getting stuff for free, can't you just leave that box unchecked and avoid the whole COGS section entirely?

I've been dealing with a similar situation in my resale business. One thing that helped me was understanding that the IRS Publication 334 (Tax Guide for Small Business) specifically addresses inventory valuation methods, including situations where you acquire goods at little to no cost. The key insight I learned is that even with zero-basis inventory, you still need to maintain proper records showing the flow of goods through your business. This actually protects you more than it hurts you - it demonstrates that you're running a legitimate business operation rather than just having unexplained income. For your $150 in actual purchases, definitely include those in COGS. For the free items, track them with zero cost but document the source (donations, estate sales, etc.). This creates a clear paper trail that supports your business model if you're ever questioned. Your high profit margin becomes explainable rather than suspicious when you have proper documentation showing legitimate acquisition methods.