bruh the irs needs to get their act together. like how does this even happen 🤦‍♂️

This is a major red flag! Higher One banks are frequently used in tax refund fraud schemes. Here's what you need to do immediately: 1) Call Wells Fargo fraud department and ask them to explain why this account appeared, 2) Log into your IRS account online and check if your direct deposit info has been changed, 3) Call the IRS Identity Protection Unit at 800-908-4490. Don't wait - these scammers work fast once they've compromised your info. Also freeze your credit reports just to be safe!

Just wanted to add something about in-game purchases that I learned the hard way after an audit. The IRS looks at whether the expense is "ordinary and necessary" for your business. My tax person advised me to keep a content log that shows: 1. What specific in-game item I purchased 2. Date purchased 3. Cost 4. What content I created using that item 5. How it contributed to my business (viewer engagement, subscriber growth, etc) For my Star Wars Battlefront streams, I was able to successfully deduct character skins because I could show specific streams where I featured them and the viewer engagement they generated. But random purchases I couldn't connect to specific content were disallowed.

Great question! As a small business streamer myself, I've navigated these same deduction questions. Here's what I've learned: For streaming equipment, you're generally in good shape - microphones, cameras, lighting, capture cards, and even a portion of your gaming PC (if used primarily for streaming) are typically deductible business expenses. Keep all receipts and document how each item directly supports your streaming business. The in-game purchases like your Star Citizen ships are definitely in a gray area, but they can be deductible if you can demonstrate they're "ordinary and necessary" for your content creation. The key is documentation - keep a log showing which purchases were featured in specific streams, how they contributed to viewer engagement, and any measurable business impact (subscriber growth, increased viewership, etc.). Other deductions to consider: portion of your internet bill, streaming software subscriptions (OBS plugins, Streamlabs, etc.), music licensing, website hosting costs, and if you have a dedicated streaming space that's used exclusively for business, you might qualify for the home office deduction. Pro tip: Start keeping detailed records now. Create a simple spreadsheet tracking all business-related purchases with dates, amounts, and business justification. This documentation will be invaluable if you're ever audited and will make tax filing much smoother. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're taking the right approach - being proactive about proper record-keeping and legitimate deductions!

Don't forget state taxes too! Depending on where your internship is located vs. where you permanently live, you might need to file multiple state returns. I did an internship in California while being a resident of Texas and it got complicated real fast.

One thing I learned the hard way during my internship last year - make sure you understand how your employer is classifying different parts of your compensation! My company paid me a base salary plus a "living allowance" for housing, and I assumed it was all the same for tax purposes. Turns out the housing allowance was considered taxable income but they weren't withholding taxes from that portion. I ended up owing way more than expected when I filed my return. Now I always ask HR upfront: "What parts of my total compensation package are subject to payroll taxes and withholding?" Also, keep track of any work-related expenses you pay out of pocket (like transportation to client sites, professional development materials, etc.) - some of these might be deductible depending on your situation. Save all your receipts! The multi-state tax situation mentioned above is super real too. If you're working remotely for part of your internship from your home state, that can create additional complications. Best to clarify with your employer early where they'll be reporting your income as earned.

The timing right now is much worse than earlier in the season. People who verified in January were seeing DDDs within 5-7 days, but now in peak season it's taking 2-3 weeks for many people. Your Thursday verification puts you in a better position than weekend verifications, which tend to get processed in later batches. I'd expect movement by next Thursday at the latest, compared to paper filers who are waiting months. Check your transcript daily - that's where you'll see updates first, usually with a 571 code reversing any previous holds.

I completely understand the anxiety, especially with your mom's medical needs. From what I've seen in this community, verification timing has been all over the place this season. A few things that might help while you wait: • Check your transcript daily at irs.gov - it updates before Where's My Refund and will show codes like 571 (reversing holds) or 846 (refund date) first • If you have genuine hardship due to medical expenses, document everything. The Taxpayer Advocate Service can sometimes expedite cases with medical hardship • Thursday verifications typically process in the next weekly cycle, so you might see movement by Wednesday/Thursday this week I was in a similar situation last year caring for my elderly father. The financial stress is real when you're waiting on funds for medical equipment. The good news is that once you've verified, you're past the biggest hurdle - now it's just processing time. Most people are seeing 8-14 days from verification to DDD this season. Stay strong, and I hope you get your DDD soon so you can get your mom what she needs. 🙏

One thing nobody mentioned - if this is your first time missing tax payments, you might qualify for the IRS First Time Penalty Abatement program! It won't eliminate what you owe, but could wipe out the failure-to-pay penalties if you've had a clean tax record for the past 3 years. You have to ask for it specifically though - they don't automatically give it to you. Just another option to help reduce the total amount.

I went through a very similar situation a couple years ago - owed about $3,200 on 1099 income and was completely panicking. Here's what I learned that might help: First, definitely file your taxes on time even if you can't pay. The penalty for not filing is 5% per month (up to 25%) while the penalty for not paying is only 0.5% per month. Big difference! Second, don't overlook business deductions. As a freelancer, you can deduct a lot more than you might think - home office expenses, equipment, software, phone/internet, mileage, training costs, etc. I ended up reducing my tax bill by almost $800 just by claiming legitimate business expenses I hadn't thought of. Third, the IRS payment plans are pretty reasonable. I got on a plan for $85/month and the whole process was much less scary than I expected. You can apply online after you file, and if you owe less than $50,000 it's usually auto-approved. The move between states does complicate things a bit, but since you moved from California to Texas (no state income tax), you'll probably just need to file a part-year California return. Don't let the complexity paralyze you - just file and deal with any corrections later if needed. You've got options and this is definitely manageable!