I work for a tax preparation service and see this issue frequently with VA state refunds, especially during peak filing season. What many people don't realize is that Virginia uses a third-party vendor for printing and mailing refund checks, which can add additional delays beyond the "issued" date shown in their system. The 6+ week timeline you're experiencing is unfortunately becoming more common this year - we've had at least a dozen clients report similar delays. Here's what I recommend: 1) Call VA Tax at 804-367-8031 first thing Monday morning (they're less busy early in the week), 2) Have your SSN and exact refund amount ready, 3) Ask specifically about "delivery confirmation" status, not just issuance status, and 4) Request they initiate both a payment trace AND a stop payment on the original check simultaneously. Don't let them tell you to wait longer - 6+ weeks is well beyond reasonable delivery timeframes. Also, consider requesting the replacement be sent via certified mail for an additional $3.50 fee - it's worth it for the tracking and security.

I had the exact same issue with my VA state refund last year! Check was "issued" on February 3rd, and I didn't receive it until April 8th - that's over 9 weeks. Turns out it was a combination of issues: the original check got lost in the mail (likely stolen from my apartment complex's mailbox area), and then VA's replacement process took forever because they had to verify the original wasn't cashed. What finally worked for me was being persistent with their phone line and documenting everything. I called every few days after the 6-week mark and kept detailed notes of who I spoke with and what they told me. Eventually got connected with a supervisor who expedited the replacement check process. One thing that might help - if you have any neighbors who received VA refunds around the same timeframe, ask them about their experience. In my case, two other people in my building also had VA checks go missing around the same time, which helped establish a pattern of mail theft that made VA more willing to fast-track the replacement. Don't give up! It's frustrating but you will eventually get your money. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these situations.

One thing nobody mentioned - if you use tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, they usually have an option to prepare an amended return that'll fill out the 1040X for you based on your changes. Much easier than trying to do it manually, especially since the 1040X form is honestly pretty confusing. Just go into your account, look for the option to amend, and it'll let you make the changes and will recalculate everything automatically. Some of them even support e-filing the 1040X now.

@Yara Nassar - You've gotten great advice here! Just to add one more tip from my experience: when you file your 1040X, make sure to keep a copy of everything for your records, including the 1099-NEC you're attaching. Also, don't panic about the $3,200 - while you'll owe additional tax on that income, it's not going to be a huge amount. Depending on your tax bracket, you're probably looking at owing somewhere between $300-800 in additional tax plus a small amount of interest since your original filing date. The key thing is you're fixing it proactively, which shows good faith to the IRS. I made a similar mistake a few years back (forgot about some freelance income) and the whole process was much less stressful than I expected once I actually got the 1040X filed.

I'm a bit confused about something... how did this tax preparer even have the ability to change your bank account info without you noticing? Didn't you have to sign the return before it was submitted? Did you receive a copy of what was actually filed? This seems super sketchy and I wonder if there might be more going on.

This is an extremely serious situation that requires immediate action on multiple fronts. You're dealing with tax preparer fraud, identity theft, and potentially wire fraud - all federal crimes. Here's what you need to do TODAY: 1. File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) online immediately - don't wait for mail processing 2. Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 to report the fraudulent preparer 3. File a complaint with your state's licensing board if the preparer is licensed 4. Contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) since this involves electronic banking fraud For the immediate refund issue, try calling the IRS Practitioner Priority Service at 866-860-4259 and explain this is an emergency involving fraud. Sometimes they can expedite fraud cases. Document everything - save all communications with the preparer, copies of what you signed vs. what was filed, and any evidence of the unauthorized bank account change. Also consider contacting a tax attorney who specializes in fraud cases. Many offer free consultations and can help navigate both the IRS process and potential criminal proceedings against the preparer. Time is critical here - the more documentation and official reports you file today, the better chance you have of stopping or recovering those funds.

I'm really surprised nobody mentioned uninsured motorist property damage coverage! This isn't tax advice, but for future reference: Even with liability-only insurance, you can often add UMPD coverage for like $5/month. Would have covered hit and run damage up to your policy limits. Too late for OP now, but good info for anyone else reading this thread.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Ravi. Unfortunately, the other commenters are correct - personal casualty losses from accidents like hit and runs are no longer deductible on federal taxes unless they're from federally declared disasters. However, I'd encourage you to explore a couple of options: 1. **Business use**: If you used the vehicle for any legitimate business purposes (delivery work, real estate, consulting, etc.), you may be able to deduct the business portion of the loss. You'll need documentation of business mileage vs. personal use. 2. **State taxes**: Some states still allow casualty/theft deductions even when federal doesn't. Check your state's tax laws or consult a local tax professional. 3. **Legal recovery**: Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney about pursuing the hit-and-run driver if they were ever identified, or exploring other legal options for recovery. For future reference, uninsured motorist property damage coverage is usually very affordable and would have helped in this situation. I know that doesn't help now, but it's worth considering for your next vehicle. The tax laws really changed dramatically with the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and unfortunately not in favor of situations like yours.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - made $238 from some freelance graphic design work and was totally confused about the reporting requirements. After doing a lot of research and talking to a tax preparer, here's what I learned: You absolutely need to file Schedule C for that $215, even though it seems like overkill for such a small amount. The IRS considers any income from services you provide to be self-employment income, and Schedule C is the only proper way to report it. You can't just lump it in with "other income" elsewhere on your return. The good news is that your Schedule C will be super simple - basically just reporting the $215 as income with maybe a line or two for any related expenses you might have had (gas, supplies, etc.). And as others mentioned, since you're under $400 in net earnings, you won't owe any self-employment tax on it. I know it feels annoying to fill out a whole form for such a small amount, but it's really not that complicated and it's the right way to do it. Better to spend 10 minutes filling it out correctly than potentially having issues with the IRS later!

I just went through this exact same situation! Made $190 from some weekend pet sitting and was completely lost on how to handle it tax-wise. Everyone here is absolutely right - you do need to file Schedule C even for that small $215 amount. I initially thought I could skip it since it was so little, but after researching (and making a few calls), I learned that any income from services counts as self-employment income regardless of the amount. The Schedule C ended up being way simpler than I expected though. Basically just one line for the income and maybe a couple lines for any expenses (I had some pet supplies and gas costs). The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes to complete. One thing that helped me was keeping it really simple - don't overthink the business description or get fancy with categories. Just put something like "gig work" or whatever service you provided, report the income, subtract any legitimate expenses, and you're done. Since you're under $400 net, no self-employment tax to worry about. The peace of mind of doing it correctly is totally worth the few extra minutes of paperwork!