Does anyone know if I can write off part of my internet bill? I use my phone's hotspot sometimes while waiting for orders, plus I need internet at home to check earnings, do taxes, etc. Also, what about my Netflix subscription since I watch it while waiting for orders at restaurants? lol worth a shot

As someone who's been doing gig work for a few years, I want to emphasize something important about the home office deduction that I learned the hard way. Even if you qualify for it, you need to be really careful about documentation because gig workers get audited more frequently than W-2 employees. The IRS will want to see proof that your space is used "exclusively and regularly" for business. This means taking dated photos of your setup, keeping a log of business activities performed in that space, and being able to show that NO personal activities happen there - not watching TV, not personal computer use, nothing. Also, if you're renting, make sure your lease doesn't prohibit business use of the apartment. Some landlords have clauses about this, and technically running a business (even gig work) from a residential space could be a lease violation in some cases. Just something to check before claiming that deduction! For your specific situation driving 50-80 hours weekly, focus on the solid deductions first - mileage, phone percentage, delivery bags, etc. The home office thing is trickier and might not be worth the audit risk unless you have a really clear dedicated space.

Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening! I had no idea that IRS adjustment refunds were this common. I'm definitely feeling much more confident about depositing my check now. What really convinced me was how consistent everyone's experiences have been - legitimate Treasury check with proper security features, followed by an explanation notice 1-3 weeks later. The fact that so many people have gone through this exact same process and had legitimate outcomes is very reassuring. I think I was overthinking it because the amount seemed random and I couldn't immediately figure out what it might be for. But after reading about all the different types of adjustments (EITC corrections, excess Social Security withholding, education credits, Premium Tax Credit, etc.), I realize there are lots of possibilities I hadn't considered. I'm going to deposit it tomorrow and keep all the documentation. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is incredibly helpful for navigating these confusing tax situations!

I'm really glad you asked this question because I went through the exact same thing about 4 months ago! Got a Treasury check completely out of nowhere for about $450 and immediately thought it had to be some kind of scam since I wasn't expecting any refund. After reading through all these helpful responses, it's clear that what you're experiencing is completely normal. The IRS runs continuous automated reviews of tax returns and frequently finds errors that work in taxpayers' favor. In my case, it turned out they had corrected a mistake I made calculating my Retirement Savings Contributions Credit on my 2022 return. The key things that convinced me it was legitimate were exactly what you described - proper security features, correct personal information, and it being issued by the US Treasury. The paper check format instead of direct deposit is standard for these types of adjustment refunds, even if you normally receive electronic deposits. I ended up depositing mine after verifying all the security features, and sure enough, I received a CP11 notice about 12 days later explaining exactly what had been adjusted and why. The whole process was completely legitimate and straightforward. My advice would be to go ahead and deposit it, but definitely keep copies of everything for your records. That explanation notice will arrive soon and will clear up any questions about where the refund came from. Based on everything you've described, this sounds like a routine IRS adjustment that happens thousands of times every month!

Has anyone tried calling the IRS e-file help desk directly? The number is 866-255-0654. They have specific agents who deal with e-file rejections and can often tell you exactly what AGI is in their system. I had to use this last year when my return kept getting rejected.

I went through this exact same frustration last year! After trying everything - the correct AGI, entering "0", calling multiple IRS numbers - what finally worked for me was requesting a "Verification of Non-filing Letter" from the IRS website. Even though I HAD filed, the letter showed what AGI the IRS had on record for me, and it was different from what was on my copy of the return by about $150. Apparently when they processed my paper return, they made some adjustment that I was never notified about. Once I used the AGI from that verification letter, my e-file went through immediately. You can request it online through your IRS account at irs.gov - it's free and usually available within 24 hours. Just look for "Get Transcript" and select "Verification of Non-filing Letter" even though you did file. It sounds backwards but it shows the AGI they have on record. This might be faster than trying to get through to an agent on the phone, especially during tax season when their lines are slammed.

But wait - doesn't the FAA require flight logs anyway? Couldn't you just use those same logs to mark which flights were business vs personal? Seems like aircraft would actually be easier to track than cars since there's already mandatory record keeping.

Your friend is definitely confused about the GSA vs IRS distinction. As a tax professional, I see this mistake frequently with pilots and boat owners who think there are standard mileage rates for all vehicles. The $1.74/mile GSA rate is specifically for federal employees using personal aircraft on official government business - it's a reimbursement rate, not a tax deduction. The IRS Publication 463 is crystal clear that standard mileage rates only apply to "automobiles, vans, pickups, and panel trucks." For his Cessna, he needs to track actual expenses (fuel, oil, annual inspections, insurance, hangar rent, depreciation) and multiply by his business use percentage. The good news is this often results in larger deductions than any hypothetical standard rate would provide, especially when you factor in depreciation on the aircraft value. Tell your friend to keep detailed logs of business flights with dates, destinations, business purpose, and passengers. The IRS loves documentation when it comes to aircraft deductions since they're frequently audited.

I'm in a similar situation as you - just starting my EA journey and feeling overwhelmed by all the study options out there! Reading through these responses has been really helpful. One thing I'm noticing is that everyone emphasizes the importance of practice questions, which makes sense since the exam tests application of knowledge rather than just memorization. I'm leaning toward starting with the free IRS materials and publications that Dylan mentioned to build my foundation, then investing in a comprehensive course once I understand the scope better. Has anyone found certain parts of the exam significantly harder than others? I'm trying to decide if I should tackle them in order (Parts 1, 2, 3) or start with whichever might be easiest to build confidence. Also curious about timing - how far apart did people space their exam attempts? Thanks for all the detailed advice so far - this community is incredibly helpful for newcomers like us!

As someone who recently passed all three parts of the SEE exam, I wanted to add a few thoughts to this great discussion. The advice here is spot-on, especially about the importance of practice questions and understanding the "why" behind tax rules rather than just memorizing. One thing I'd emphasize that hasn't been mentioned much is the value of creating your own study schedule and sticking to it religiously. I found that consistency was more important than intensity - studying 1-2 hours daily for 8 weeks worked better for me than cramming for 4 weeks. Regarding which part to start with, I'd actually recommend Part 1 first since it covers individual taxation concepts that form the foundation for understanding business and representation topics in Parts 2 and 3. Plus, getting that first pass under your belt builds tremendous confidence. For timing between parts, I spaced mine about 6-8 weeks apart to allow proper preparation time without losing momentum. The entire process took me about 7 months from start to finish, including one retake on Part 2. Don't get too caught up in finding the "perfect" study materials - whether it's Gleim, Surgent, or Fast Forward Academy, they're all solid. The key is picking one comprehensive system and committing to it fully rather than jumping between resources. Best of luck to everyone on this journey - becoming an EA is absolutely worth the effort!