That's awesome news! The 846 code is exactly what you've been waiting for - it means your refund is officially approved and scheduled for payment. After waiting since early February, you're finally at the finish line! The long wait was likely due to additional verification processes that have been really common this tax season. The IRS has been extra careful with fraud prevention, which unfortunately means longer processing times for many returns. But now that you have that 846 code, your $3,700 is guaranteed to arrive. The date next to the 846 code is when the IRS will send the payment to your bank. Most people with direct deposit see their money within 1-3 business days of that date, depending on their bank's processing speed. You can stop obsessively checking Where's My Refund now (we've all been there!) since it rarely updates until after the money is already in your account. Just keep an eye on your bank account around the scheduled date. Hope you can get those credit cards paid off soon!

That's fantastic news! The 846 code is exactly what you want to see - it means your refund has been fully processed and approved for payment. After waiting since February, you're finally done with the uncertainty! The long processing time was likely due to additional verification checks that have been really common this tax season. The IRS has been doing extra fraud prevention reviews, which unfortunately means longer waits for many people. But once you see that 846 code, your refund is guaranteed. The date next to the 846 code is when the IRS will actually send your payment. For direct deposit, most banks post the funds within 1-2 business days of that date, though some are faster. Credit unions tend to be quicker with government deposits than big banks. You can stop checking Where's My Refund now - that tool is notorious for being slow to update. Many people get their actual refund before WMR even changes from "processing." Just watch your bank account around the scheduled date. Congrats on finally getting through the waiting period, and hope you can get those credit cards paid off soon!

This is exactly the kind of situation where good documentation becomes crucial. I've been dealing with similar disability-related expenses, and what I've learned is that while the direct work expense deduction isn't available right now, there are still some paths forward. First, definitely keep detailed records of everything - receipts, medical documentation about your condition, correspondence with your employer about the accommodation request (or lack thereof). Even if you can't use these deductions now, having everything organized will be invaluable when the rules potentially change after 2025. Second, consider the medical expense angle that others mentioned. If your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI, transportation costs that are medically necessary can sometimes qualify. The key is proving medical necessity rather than just work convenience. Finally, I'd strongly encourage you to push back on your employer's accommodation stance. A shuttle that runs every 30 minutes isn't a reasonable accommodation if it prevents you from doing your job effectively. You might be surprised how quickly they find closer parking spots when presented with the actual legal requirements rather than their interpretation of them. The tax situation is frustrating, but don't let that be the only avenue you explore. Your employer has obligations here too.

I went through something very similar last year and want to share what worked for me. Like others mentioned, the direct impairment-related work expense deduction is suspended, but I found success through multiple approaches. First, I documented everything meticulously - parking receipts, my handicap placard, doctor's letter explaining my mobility limitations, and crucially, written communication with HR about my accommodation request being denied. This paper trail became invaluable. Second, I worked with a CPA who helped me include the parking costs under medical expenses since my total medical costs exceeded the 7.5% AGI threshold. The key was having my doctor write a letter specifically stating that closer parking was "medically necessary" due to my condition, not just helpful or preferred. Third, and this was the game-changer - I filed an ADA complaint with the EEOC. Turns out my employer's "technically compliant" shuttle accommodation wasn't actually reasonable given my specific limitations. After the complaint, they suddenly found closer parking spaces they claimed didn't exist before. The whole process took about 4 months but I got reimbursed for my parking expenses during that period. Don't give up on multiple fronts - the tax angle, the medical expense route, and especially your rights as an employee. Your employer's flat refusal to accommodate is a red flag that suggests they don't understand their legal obligations.

Great question about the QBI deduction! The phase-out thresholds are pretty high - for 2024, the QBI deduction starts phasing out at $191,950 for single filers and $383,900 for married filing jointly. So with your $2,400 in business income, you're well below that threshold and should be able to claim the full 20% deduction. Just make sure your business qualifies - most sole proprietorships do, but there are some exclusions for certain service businesses at higher income levels (which again, you don't need to worry about at your income level). Form 8995 is pretty straightforward for simple cases like yours. This deduction alone could save you around $480 in taxable income, which is a nice chunk of change when you're just starting out!

One more thing to consider - make sure you're keeping detailed records of ALL your business expenses throughout the year, not just the obvious ones. This includes things like: - Business-related software subscriptions - Office supplies (even small items like pens, paper) - Professional development courses or books related to your business - Business insurance premiums - Bank fees for your business account - Professional memberships or licenses Even though your profit was only $2400, every legitimate business expense you can document will reduce that amount and lower your tax burden. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything monthly, and take photos of receipts with my phone immediately after purchases. Also, since you mentioned this is your first year - consider opening a separate business checking account if you haven't already. It makes expense tracking SO much easier and looks more professional if you ever get audited. Many banks offer free business accounts for sole proprietors with low transaction volumes.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I'm the original poster and I just wanted to update that I successfully completed my Schedule 1 using the advice here. You were all absolutely right - Line 16 is just the simple sum of lines 1-15 in the far right column. I ended up with $13,360 total ($8,700 business income + $410 capital gain + $4,250 unemployment) and made sure to transfer that exact amount to Line 8 on my Form 1040. I double-checked my math three times after reading about the software errors some of you experienced! One thing I learned from this thread is that I should probably consider getting help with next year's taxes since my side business is growing. The tips about taxr.ai and Claimyr are bookmarked for future reference. Really appreciate this community - you saved me from potentially making costly mistakes!

As someone who's been dealing with tax preparation for years, I want to emphasize something crucial that came up in this thread - the importance of keeping detailed records throughout the year. I see you mentioned business income of $8,700 from your side gig, and that's exactly the kind of income that can get complicated quickly. For next year, consider setting up a simple spreadsheet or using accounting software to track your business income and expenses monthly. This will make Schedule 1 much easier and could potentially save you money through deductions you might be missing. Business expenses like equipment, software, home office deductions, and even mileage can significantly reduce that $8,700 taxable income. Also, since you mentioned not trusting tax software after it messed up your state taxes, you might want to look into having a tax professional review your return before filing - especially with business income involved. The peace of mind is often worth the cost, and they can catch things that might save you more than their fee.

Just a heads up - I talked to my international student advisor about this exact issue last semester. She said that technically Form 8843 is supposed to be attached to your tax return, but submitting it separately isn't a major issue. The most important thing is making sure it gets submitted before the filing deadline. She also mentioned that some students who forget to file it have submitted it in later years without penalty, but obviously it's better to do it on time. The key is that Form 8843 establishes your non-resident status for tax purposes, which can matter in the long run for immigration purposes.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and can confirm that mailing Form 8843 separately after e-filing is completely fine! I was panicking just like you are now, but it turned out to be much simpler than I thought. Here's what I did: I printed out Form 8843, filled it out completely, and included a brief cover letter stating "Please find attached Form 8843 for tax year [YEAR]. My federal tax return was already e-filed and accepted on [DATE]." I included my name, SSN/ITIN, and address at the top of the letter. I sent it via certified mail to the IRS processing center for my state and got the delivery confirmation about a week later. Never heard anything back from the IRS, which in this case is good news - it means they received it and processed it without issues. The important thing is to get it postmarked before the tax deadline (April 15th). Since you're on OPT, maintaining proper tax compliance is definitely important for your status, so good on you for catching this and taking action. Don't stress too much - this is a common oversight and the IRS is used to receiving these forms separately from international students.