This entire discussion has been absolutely phenomenal! As someone who's just starting to navigate the intersection of consulting work and occasional construction subcontracting, I'm incredibly grateful for the depth of practical wisdom shared here. What really strikes me is how this thread perfectly illustrates why peer knowledge sharing is so valuable - we started with a specific question about Colorado sales tax and ended up with a comprehensive masterclass on subcontractor tax compliance that covers multiple states, documentation strategies, and systematic approaches that you simply can't find in official publications. The key insights I'm taking away: understanding the underlying "final consumer" philosophy behind sales tax (as Jamal explained), implementing comprehensive documentation systems (progress photos, communication logs, project tax profiles), maintaining clear separation between different types of work, and always getting official confirmation when in doubt. I'm particularly impressed by how everyone emphasized the importance of treating permanently installed items as real property improvements - this distinction seems crucial for proper tax treatment and is something I never would have understood without this discussion. The resource recommendations throughout this thread (state contractor guides, various compliance tools, and specific forms for written determinations) provide such concrete next steps. As someone who learns best from real-world examples, seeing how others have successfully navigated these complex situations gives me confidence to handle similar challenges. Thanks to everyone who contributed their expertise and experience - this discussion is going straight into my permanent reference library!

This has been an absolutely incredible thread to follow! As someone new to this community who's been struggling with similar sales tax questions for my small contracting business, I can't thank everyone enough for creating such a comprehensive resource. What really stands out to me is how this discussion demonstrates the power of collaborative problem-solving. We started with Kylo's specific question about Colorado sales tax obligations and it evolved into a masterclass covering everything from state-specific rules and documentation strategies to the fundamental philosophy behind sales tax systems. The practical insights shared here are invaluable - particularly the project tax profile concept, comprehensive documentation approaches (progress photos, communication logs, written contractor acknowledgments), and the critical distinction between real property improvements and tangible personal property. These are exactly the kinds of operational details you can't find in official tax guides but are essential for real-world compliance. I'm also grateful for all the specific resource recommendations - from state contractor guides to compliance tools to the formal written determination process. Having concrete next steps rather than just theoretical advice makes all the difference when you're trying to ensure proper compliance. As someone who's transitioning from pure service work to occasional construction subcontracting, the systematic approaches outlined here give me confidence to handle these complex situations properly. This thread is definitely going into my permanent reference materials! Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their expertise and real-world experiences. This is exactly why peer knowledge sharing communities are so valuable for small business owners navigating complex regulatory challenges.

I'm still confused about one thing - if I can't create an online account because of the verification issues (I don't have a credit card or loan), is there any other way to get my transcripts quickly? Will calling the IRS help? And once I get the transcript, how do I know which codes to look for specifically for my amended return status?

If you can't create an online account due to verification issues, you have a few alternatives! You can request transcripts by mail using Form 4506-T (takes 5-10 business days), or call the automated transcript line at 1-800-908-9946. For phone requests, you'll need your SSN, date of birth, and filing status. For amended returns specifically, focus on these key codes on your Account Transcript: TC 971 (amended return received), TC 570 (account frozen for review - this is normal initially), TC 290/291 (adjustment made), and TC 846 (refund issued). The sequence typically goes 971 → 570 → 290 → 846. If you see 570 without movement for over 4-6 weeks, that might indicate additional review is needed. The "Where's My Amended Return" tool online can also give you basic status updates without needing full transcript access, though it's less detailed than the actual transcript codes.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by the quality of information being shared here! I've been doing research on different banks for my tax refund and this thread has been incredibly helpful. @Asher Levin your data tracking across multiple banks is exactly the kind of objective analysis I was looking for - much better than relying on marketing claims. I'm currently with a traditional bank that always deposits exactly on the IRS date, but seeing the consistent 1-2 day early pattern with Go2Bank from multiple users here is making me seriously consider switching. The fact that @Bruno Simmons, @Zane Gray, and @Haley Stokes all had similar positive experiences gives me confidence this isn't just luck. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is so much more valuable than generic online reviews!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to find such detailed and honest experiences being shared! I've been stressing about which bank to use for my refund this year, and this thread has been incredibly enlightening. @Asher Levin your systematic data tracking across different banks is exactly what I needed - seeing that Go2Bank averages 1.7 days early based on actual user experiences gives me so much more confidence than just reading marketing materials. I'm currently with Bank of America and they're always exactly on schedule (or sometimes late as you mentioned), so the consistent early deposits from @Bruno Simmons @Zane Gray @Haley Stokes and others are really compelling. I think I'm going to make the switch to Go2Bank for next year's refund. Thanks everyone for creating such a helpful and welcoming community for newcomers like me!

Been dealing with this exact same issue! The about:blank screen has been plaguing the IRS website for weeks now. What's really frustrating is that it happens randomly - sometimes the site works fine, other times you get that blank white screen no matter what you do. Since incognito mode worked for you, it's definitely a browser cache/cookie issue rather than server problems. Pro tip: bookmark the direct transcript URL and try accessing it during off-peak hours (like early morning 6-7 AM) when the servers aren't as hammered. Also, if you're on mobile, the desktop version tends to be more stable. Hope you get good news about that $3,789 refund! 🤞

Same thing happened to me yesterday! The about:blank screen is so frustrating when you're trying to check on a big refund like that. Since incognito mode worked for you, definitely keep that in your back pocket for future logins. Another trick that's helped me is switching from wifi to mobile data (or vice versa) - sometimes it's just weird network routing issues with the IRS servers. Also try the "Where's My Refund" tool on irs.gov as a backup - it doesn't give you the detailed transcript info but at least shows basic status updates. 3 weeks is still pretty normal timing wise, but I totally get the anxiety when it's almost $4K! Keep us posted on what your transcript shows 👍

@Victoria Scott - Based on your situation, you should definitely get most of that $1,260 back! Since your income is under $12,000 and well below the standard deduction, you won't owe federal income tax. Just keep in mind that part of what was withheld might be FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) which are about 7.65% of your income - so roughly $918 if you made exactly $12,000. Those aren't refundable. But any federal income tax withheld should come back to you. Also, don't forget to check if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - with your income level, you might actually get back MORE than what you paid in! The EITC is a refundable credit that can result in a larger refund than your withholding. For timing, definitely file electronically with direct deposit as others mentioned. 21 days is typical, but early in tax season (January-February) it's often faster.

@Victoria Scott - Just wanted to add one more thing that might help with your budgeting question! Since you're filing for the first time, I'd recommend using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool once you file. You can check it 24 hours after e-filing, and it gives you real-time updates on your refund status. Given that you're planning purchases around the refund timing, I'd suggest being conservative and not counting on the money until you actually see "Refund Sent" status. While 21 days is typical, first-time filers sometimes get flagged for additional review which can add a few weeks. Also, if you do qualify for EITC as others mentioned, that could be a nice bonus! For someone with your income level, it could be anywhere from $100-600 extra on top of your withholding refund. The free tax software will automatically calculate it for you when you file. One last tip - if you're really tight on the budget timing, consider filing as early as possible (IRS starts accepting returns in late January). The earlier you file, the faster you'll get your refund since there's less volume in the system.