Has anyone used TurboTax for filling out Schedule C with contractor payments? I'm wondering if it walks you through categorizing these kinds of expenses or if I need to know exactly where everything goes beforehand.

Based on the discussion here, it sounds like you're on the right track with categorizing contractor payments under Line 11 (Contract Labor). I had a similar situation last year where I hired freelancers for various projects and was confused about the categorization. One thing I learned the hard way is to keep detailed records not just of the payments, but also of what each contractor specifically did. The IRS likes to see clear documentation that shows these were legitimate business expenses for services rendered to your business. Since your promotional game serves as advertising for your main business, you might also want to document that purpose clearly in case of any questions later. I keep a simple spreadsheet with contractor name, amount paid, date, and a brief description of the work performed - it's saved me headaches during tax prep. Also, double-check that you've properly calculated any backup withholding requirements if applicable. Most people don't realize this can be an issue with contractor payments in certain situations.

To all those having trouble reaching a human at IRS. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c

Code 977 is definitely good news! It means your amended return has been accepted and is being processed. The fact that it showed up in just 8 days is actually really fast - most people wait weeks to see any movement. From what I've seen, after 977 you're typically looking at 2-4 more weeks before you see code 846 (refund issued) if you're getting money back. Just keep checking your transcript weekly and you should see progress soon. The electronic filing definitely helped speed things up compared to paper amendments!

Has anyone tried using Credit Karma Tax (now called Cash App Taxes) for previous years? I know they're free for the current year, but I'm not sure if they offer past years or what they charge.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! Had to file my 2018 and 2019 returns for a mortgage application. Here's what I learned: For H&R Block, yes they do prior year returns but their online service for old years is around $70-80 per return, which adds up fast. I ended up going with FreeTaxUSA like someone mentioned - it was only $15 for federal and worked perfectly for both years. One tip nobody mentioned: if you're really pressed for time, you can request a "Record of Account" transcript from the IRS online at irs.gov. This shows your filing history and is often accepted as proof of non-filing if you need to show you haven't filed yet. Takes about 5 minutes to get it online versus waiting weeks for mailed returns to process. Also, don't stress too much about the old tax law changes between those years - most tax software handles the year-specific rules automatically. The main thing that changed between 2018-2019 was some small adjustments to tax brackets and standard deduction amounts, but the software calculates all that for you. Good luck getting it sorted out!

Michigan filer here - dealt with this exact same frustration last month! The "no match found" error drove me crazy for about 4 weeks. What I learned is that Michigan's system doesn't update their refund tracker until your return is completely processed, which is taking WAY longer than usual this year. I kept checking daily (probably obsessively lol) and then one morning it just suddenly appeared with my refund status. Hang tight - it's not that your return is lost, it's just that MI is seriously backed up. Try not to stress too much, you'll get your refund eventually! 🤞

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my Michigan return about 2.5 weeks ago and keep getting that "no match found" error every time I check. It's so nerve-wracking when you're used to being able to track everything online. Reading through all these comments is actually really reassuring - sounds like Michigan's system is just overwhelmed this year and we all need to be more patient than usual. Going to try some of these tips like checking early morning and using the exact refund amount. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, makes me feel way less anxious about it! 🙏

Make sure you understand the difference between tax WITHHOLDING and actual tax LIABILITY. If you reduce withholding too much, you'll just owe a big payment when you file your taxes next year. My brother thought he was "smart" by claiming a bunch of allowances on his old W4, then got hit with a $7k tax bill plus penalties. Just be careful!

Based on your numbers, you're definitely having too much federal tax withheld. With $3100 weekly gross pay and the deductions you mentioned (10% 401k + $280 health insurance), your federal withholding should be closer to $350-380 per week, not $450. Here's what I'd recommend: Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator first to get a baseline, then fill out a new W4. Since the 2020 W4 doesn't use allowances anymore, focus on Step 4(c) - enter a negative amount to reduce your weekly withholding. Based on your situation, try "-70" to reduce federal withholding by $70 per week. Also double-check your pay stub for any other deductions you might have missed - sometimes there are small items like disability insurance or union dues that add up. And make sure your filing status on the W4 matches what you'll actually file (single vs married). The key is finding the sweet spot where you get more take-home pay now without owing a big tax bill next April. Start conservative with the reduction and adjust if needed.