Has anyone here actually had success getting the penalties reduced? I'm amending several years and looking at almost as much in penalties as the original tax! This is so frustrating, especially since I'm trying to do the right thing by amending.

I've been through this exact scenario with a 2018 amended return that resulted in owing about $4,200 additional. Here's what I learned from the experience: The good news is that since you filed your original 2019 return on time, you won't face the failure-to-file penalty on your amended return. That's a huge relief because that 5% monthly penalty can add up fast. However, you will owe: - Failure-to-pay penalty: 0.5% per month on the unpaid tax from April 15, 2020 (or July 15, 2020 if you had the COVID extension) until paid - Interest: This compounds daily and the rates have fluctuated quite a bit since 2020 For context, my penalties and interest on that $4,200 ended up being about $1,800 total by the time I paid in late 2022. The interest was actually the bigger component since it had been accumulating for several years. One tip: when you file Form 1040X, make your best estimate of penalties and interest and pay it with the return. Even if you're slightly off, it shows good faith and stops the clock on further accumulation. The IRS will adjust and either refund any overpayment or bill you for any shortage. Also consider requesting First Time Penalty Abatement if you qualify - it can eliminate the failure-to-pay penalty portion, though not the interest.

Congrats on finally seeing that 571 code! That's huge progress after being stuck since March. I had a similar freeze situation that lasted about 5 months before getting the 571. In my experience, once that code appears, you're usually looking at 1-2 weeks max before the 846 (refund issued) shows up. The fact that your 570 and 571 are only a week apart is actually really good news - means they worked through whatever was holding it up pretty quickly once they got to your case. With your cycle ending in 05, definitely keep checking Friday mornings when transcripts update. You've made it through the worst part - hang in there! 🙏

Congratulations on finally seeing that 571 code! After being stuck with an 810 freeze since March, this must feel like such a huge relief. I went through something very similar last year - had my refund frozen for about 4 months before the 571 appeared. In my case, I got the 846 (refund issued) code exactly 10 days after the 571 posted. The fact that your 570 and 571 codes are only one week apart is actually a really positive sign - it means once the IRS got to reviewing your case, they were able to resolve whatever issue was there pretty quickly. Your cycle ending in 05 means you're on weekly updates, so definitely check your transcript Friday morning when they typically refresh. After waiting 6+ months, you're so close to the finish line! Based on what I've seen in this community, most people see their 846 code within 1-2 weeks after the 571 appears. Keep us posted when you get that DDD - we're all rooting for you! 🤞

Based on your situation, yes you can definitely deduct the router! Since you have a dedicated home office and use it exclusively for business, you have solid ground for this deduction. For a router, you'll likely want to use Section 179 to deduct the full cost this year rather than depreciating it over 5 years - it's simpler and makes more sense for smaller purchases like this. The mixed personal/business use is totally normal and expected. Just estimate what percentage is business use (sounds like it could be substantial given your work requirements) and deduct that portion. Keep your receipt and document your reasoning for the percentage - maybe track your usage for a week or consider business hours vs. total internet usage time. One tip: don't forget you can also deduct the business portion of your monthly internet bill ongoing, not just the router itself. Many self-employed folks miss that recurring deduction. Since you mentioned being careful about not crossing lines, you're taking exactly the right approach. The key is having reasonable estimates you can justify if asked, which it sounds like you definitely can given your dedicated office space and work requirements.

Great question! As a fellow self-employed person, I can confirm that router purchases are definitely deductible business expenses when you work from home. Since you have a dedicated home office and rely on internet for client work, you're in a strong position to claim this. A few things to keep in mind: - For most home routers (under $2,500), you can deduct the full cost this year using Section 179 expensing - Since you use it for both business and personal, calculate a reasonable business percentage - maybe based on work hours vs. total daily internet usage - Document your reasoning and keep that receipt! Don't forget about your monthly internet bill too - you can deduct the business portion of that every month going forward. That often adds up to more savings than the one-time router purchase. The fact that you're being thoughtful about staying within the rules shows you're on the right track. With your dedicated office space and legitimate business need for reliable internet, this is exactly the type of expense the deduction is meant for.

Jessica, I completely understand your panic - being asked to make this choice without proper guidance on your first week is really stressful! As someone who's been through similar confusion with employment classifications, I want to echo what everyone else has said: this really shouldn't be your decision to make. Your employer is legally required to determine your exempt/non-exempt status based on specific criteria under the Fair Labor Standards Act - your job duties, salary structure, and level of independent decision-making authority. The fact that they're leaving this up to you suggests either a poorly designed onboarding system or a gap in their HR knowledge. Since you have that deadline tomorrow, here's my practical advice: 1. **Check your hiring documents first** - Your offer letter or job description might already specify whether you're hourly/salaried or even state your classification directly. 2. **Send an email tonight** - Reach out to your supervisor and HR saying something like: "I'm completing my payroll forms and want to ensure I select the correct exempt/non-exempt classification. Could you please confirm which applies to my position as [job title]? I want to make sure everything is compliant and accurate from day one." 3. **If you must choose without guidance** - Go with "non-exempt" as the safer default. Most employees fall into this category, and it's better to potentially get overtime pay you weren't supposed to receive (easily correctable) than to miss overtime pay you're legally entitled to. 4. **Document your efforts** - Save any emails showing you tried to get clarification but were required to choose without proper guidance. Don't worry about seeming inexperienced by asking - this actually shows you're detail-oriented about compliance issues, which any good employer will appreciate. This can be corrected later if needed, so try not to let it keep you up at night. Focus on doing great work in your new role - that's what really matters!

Jessica, I can definitely understand the stress you're feeling about this deadline! As someone who's helped numerous employees navigate classification issues, I want to reassure you that you're asking the right questions and handling this responsibly. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about this being your employer's legal determination rather than your personal choice. Since you're under time pressure, let me offer one additional resource that might help: if you do end up needing to make a quick decision tonight, the Department of Labor has a basic fact sheet (Fact Sheet #17A) that outlines the main criteria for exempt vs non-exempt status in simple terms. You can find it on their website at dol.gov. The key things to look for in your situation: - Are you paid a fixed salary regardless of hours worked? - Do your job duties involve significant independent judgment and discretion? - Does your role involve managing others or making important business decisions? If any of these don't clearly apply to your position, non-exempt is likely the correct choice. But I'd still strongly encourage you to send that email tonight requesting clarification from your supervisor or HR. You could even mention that you found conflicting information online and want to ensure you're selecting the option that's compliant with your company's policies. Remember, this shows initiative and attention to detail - qualities any employer values in a new hire. You're going to do great in this new role!

I've been lurking on this thread for a while and finally decided to create an account just to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! I was in the exact same situation - filed in February, stuck with "still processing" for months, and getting absolutely nowhere with the phone system. After reading through all the advice here, I tried the payment line approach yesterday morning at 7:10am Eastern. I was honestly skeptical it would work, but I got through to a real person in just 18 minutes! The representative was incredibly helpful and discovered that my return was held up because I had claimed the Child Tax Credit and they needed to verify some information. She was able to see that all my documentation was actually correct and released the hold immediately. She said I should see my refund ($4,100) within 2-3 weeks, and she put detailed notes on my account about our conversation. What really struck me was how straightforward it was once I actually got to talk to a human being. All those weeks of stress and wondering what was wrong, and it turned out to be a simple verification issue that took 5 minutes to resolve once someone could actually look at my account. For anyone still struggling - the strategies shared in this thread absolutely work. Have your last year's AGI ready (that was the main thing she asked for to verify my identity), call early in the morning, and don't be afraid to use the payment line approach. These people genuinely want to help once you can reach them!

I completely feel your frustration! I was in almost the exact same situation a few months ago - filed in February, stuck with that infuriating "still processing" message, and couldn't get through to a human no matter what I tried. Reading through all these comments, it's clear the payment line strategy really works for most people. What finally worked for me was calling 800-829-1040 at 7:15am Eastern on a Thursday, selecting the payment options instead of refund inquiry, and getting connected in about 20 minutes. The representative was super helpful and discovered my return was flagged because I had claimed the American Opportunity Tax Credit and they needed to verify my enrollment status. She was able to confirm my information was correct and released the hold immediately. My refund ($2,950) actually showed up 12 days later - much faster than their initial 3-week estimate! The key things that helped: having my SSN, last year's AGI, and expected refund amount ready before calling, being honest but polite about needing refund help even though I called the payment line, and asking her to put detailed notes on my account about our conversation. Don't lose hope! That $3,200 is definitely worth the effort, especially with medical bills involved. The system is broken but there are real people who genuinely want to help once you can get through to them. Try the early morning payment line approach - it really does work!