Quick tip - if you're filing just one or a few 1099-NECs, the IRS actually has a free online filing portal called the FIRE system (Filing Information Returns Electronically). You don't need fancy software if you only have a few to do. You'll need to register for an account first, which takes a little time to set up, but once you have it, filing is pretty straightforward. For real estate commissions specifically, I've done this several times without issues.

Just want to add one more important point that I learned the hard way - make sure you keep detailed records of when you sent the 1099-NEC to the brokerage and when you filed with the IRS. I had a situation where a brokerage claimed they never received their copy, and having proof of mailing saved me from potential penalty issues. Also, double-check that the brokerage's legal name on the 1099 exactly matches what's on their W9 form. Even small differences like "LLC" vs "L.L.C." or missing punctuation can cause processing delays or correction notices from the IRS. With a $74k commission, you definitely want everything to be perfect the first time around. One last thing - if this is your first time filing 1099s, consider doing a test run with the forms before the actual filing. Most software and even the IRS FIRE system let you preview everything before submitting, which can catch mistakes early.

I want to echo what others have said about the IRS being more reasonable than most people expect. I work as a tax preparer and see situations like yours regularly - you're definitely not alone. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given: consider filing your most recent year (2024) first, even if it's just an estimate. This shows the IRS you're making a good faith effort to get current, which can help when negotiating penalties for the older years. Also, don't underestimate the Fresh Start program. The IRS expanded it significantly in recent years, and it offers more flexible payment options and penalty relief than many people realize. An Enrolled Agent can help you navigate whether you qualify for any of these provisions. For gathering documents, your local library often has free access to tax software that can help you print transcripts of past tax information if you've filed before. The IRS also has a "Get Transcript" service online that can show what they have on file for you. The most important thing is that you're addressing this now while you're in a more stable place mentally and financially. That timing will actually work in your favor when dealing with the IRS.

I'm so glad you posted this - it takes real courage to face a situation like this head-on. I went through something similar after my mom passed away and I completely understand that overwhelming feeling of everything falling apart while basic responsibilities pile up. One thing that really helped me was breaking this down into smaller, less scary steps. Before you even think about penalties or payment plans, start with just gathering information. You can request wage and income transcripts directly from the IRS for all those years - they'll show you what income they have on file for you. This gives you a baseline to work from. For your DoorDash year, if you still have the app, check if there's any way to access your annual summary or earnings history. Many gig apps keep this data longer than you'd expect. The reality is that for many people in situations like yours, especially with lower incomes from retail and gig work, you may actually be owed refunds for some of those years rather than owing money. The earned income tax credit alone can result in substantial refunds even if you had little to no taxes withheld. Don't let the fear of the unknown keep you paralyzed. The IRS deals with situations like yours every day, and there are so many programs designed to help people get back on track. You've already done the hardest part by getting your life stable again - this is just paperwork that can be sorted out. You've got this. Take it one year at a time.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions), refund transfers through third-party processors like SBTPG can have several fees deducted. I've documented everything in my spreadsheet for the past 3 tax seasons, and here's what I've found: 1. Tax preparation fees (if you didn't pay upfront) 2. State filing fees 3. Refund transfer fees 4. Audit protection if you added it You can also check the IRS 'Where's My Refund' tool and compare that amount to what SBTPG shows. If the IRS amount is higher, then SBTPG took fees. If the amounts match but you got less, your bank might have fees or holds. Just want to confirm I've got this right?

As someone who's been through this process multiple times, I can confirm that SBTPG will show the exact amount they received from the IRS, then clearly list any deductions. However, there's one important thing everyone should know - SBTPG receives your refund AFTER the IRS has already taken out any offsets for things like back taxes, child support, or federal debts. So if your expected refund was $4,783 but the IRS only sent $4,500 to SBTPG due to an offset, SBTPG's portal will show they received $4,500 (not $4,783). This is why checking your IRS transcript is crucial - it shows the original refund amount AND any reductions before it even gets to SBTPG. The good news is SBTPG's fee structure is usually pretty transparent. Most people see fees between $25-50 depending on their filing method and any add-ons they selected. If you're missing significantly more than that, definitely check for IRS offsets first.

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions! I'm definitely going to try a few of these options. The automatic document scanning feature that @Ethan Clark mentioned with taxr.ai sounds really appealing since I hate manually entering all those 1099 boxes - I always worry I'm going to mess something up. I'm also intrigued by the VITA program @Emma Johnson suggested. I didn't know that was a thing! Having someone walk through everything with me in person might be worth it for peace of mind, especially since this is my first year dealing with multiple 1099s. Quick question for anyone who's used these services - do any of them handle estimated tax payments for next year? Since I'll probably have similar 1099 income next year, I want to make sure I don't get hit with underpayment penalties.

I've been in a similar situation and ended up using a combination approach that worked really well. For the actual filing, I went with FreeTaxUSA since it truly handles all 1099 forms for free (federal), but I also used one of those document scanning services mentioned here to extract all the data first, then manually entered it into FreeTaxUSA. This gave me the best of both worlds - the accuracy of automated data extraction without worrying about hidden fees. The scanning caught details I probably would have missed, and FreeTaxUSA's interface made it easy to double-check everything was entered correctly. One tip: if you do go the manual entry route with any software, take photos of all your forms with your phone first. That way if you get interrupted or the software times out, you don't have to dig through all your paperwork again. Also, most of these services will save your progress, so you can take breaks if it gets overwhelming. For estimated taxes next year, definitely set those up - the IRS has an online payment system (EFTPS) that makes quarterly payments pretty painless once you're registered.

I'm going through this exact same stressful situation right now! Just got my 846 code yesterday for an amended return I e-filed through FreeTaxUSA back in January (had to correct some missing 1099-DIV income that showed up later). The uncertainty about delivery method is absolutely killing me - I've been refreshing my bank account obsessively! After reading through everyone's experiences here, it's both comforting and maddening to see how completely inconsistent the IRS is with amended refunds. It really seems like there's no logic to whether you get direct deposit or paper check, even for people who e-filed. I'm trying to manage my expectations and assume it'll be a paper check, but secretly hoping for that direct deposit surprise! I'm going to follow the solid advice I keep seeing about monitoring my bank account for about a week after the 846 date, then shifting focus to watching for mail if nothing shows up electronically. Already set up those mobile banking alerts so I can stop checking every hour and maintain some semblance of sanity! It's honestly reassuring to see so many people dealing with this same nerve-wracking wait. At least we all have our 846 codes now, which means we're definitely in the home stretch - whether it's direct deposit in the next few days or paper check in a couple weeks, the money is finally coming! This whole amended return process has been way more stressful than I ever expected.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just received my 846 code this morning for an amended return I e-filed through H&R Block back in February (had to correct some missing unemployment income from a delayed 1099-G). The stress and uncertainty about whether it's coming as direct deposit or paper check is honestly overwhelming! Reading through all these experiences has been both helpful and eye-opening - it's clear that the IRS has absolutely no consistent process for amended refunds. People with nearly identical circumstances are getting completely different delivery methods, which makes it impossible to predict what will happen in your specific case. I'm going to follow the advice that keeps coming up about monitoring my bank account for about a week after the 846 date, then switching my attention to watching for mail if nothing appears electronically. I've already set up mobile banking alerts so I can stop obsessively refreshing my account every hour and try to maintain what's left of my sanity! It's oddly reassuring to see so many people dealing with this same nerve-wracking waiting period. At least having that 846 code means we're all finally in the home stretch - whether it ends up being a pleasant direct deposit surprise in the next few days or a paper check in a couple weeks, we know our refunds are approved and definitely on the way. This whole amended return process has been way more stressful than I ever anticipated when I first realized I needed to file one!