My transcript been saying 'as of' date March 4th for like 2 months now... anyone else?

Looking at your transcript, that code 807 "Reduced or removed W-2 or 1099 withholding" is definitely concerning - it means the IRS removed your $10,557 in withholding credits, which is why you now owe $3,472 instead of getting a refund. This usually happens when they can't verify your W-2s or suspect there's an issue with the withholding reported. You'll need to contact them ASAP to find out why they removed it and provide documentation to get it reinstated. The 971 notices should explain what documentation they need from you.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - been waiting since February with a 570 code on my amended return. Reading everyone's explanations about what "sending it over" means has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea that tax advocates have these special internal channels and priority systems. One thing I'm curious about - did your advocate give you any kind of reference number or case ID when she said she was sending it over? My advocate mentioned something about providing me with tracking information, but I haven't received anything yet. Also, are you able to see any changes on your IRS online account or transcript yet, or does that usually update after the processing is complete? Thanks for sharing your experience - it's so reassuring to know that others have gone through this exact process and come out the other side! Keeping my fingers crossed that your 570 code gets released soon.

I'm going through something very similar right now! I've had a 570 code since December and just got assigned a tax advocate two weeks ago. Reading all these explanations about what "sending it over" actually means has been so enlightening - I had no idea there were all these internal processes and priority systems working behind the scenes. My advocate used almost identical language when we spoke last Friday. She said she was "forwarding my case" to the processing department and that I should expect movement within 2-3 weeks. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like this is actually a really positive development! The whole OAR (Operations Assistance Request) system that @Isaiah Cross mentioned makes so much sense. It explains why some amended returns seem to get processed so much faster than others. After 4+ months of feeling completely in the dark about what was happening with my return, it's such a relief to finally understand the actual process. Connor, it sounds like your advocate is doing exactly what she should be doing. The fact that she's staying on your case and actively monitoring the progress is a great sign. Fingers crossed that both of our 570 codes get released soon - this waiting game has been exhausting! Keep us posted on any updates you get.

As someone who's been in the service industry for years, I want to emphasize that catching up on unreported tips is usually way less scary than people think. I was terrified when I realized I had underreported about $2,800 in cash tips over 8 months, but when I finally dealt with it properly on my tax return using Form 4137, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. Yes, you pay the full self-employment tax on those tips (15.3% instead of 7.65%), but for most servers in lower tax brackets, you often still come out ahead because of refundable credits like the Earned Income Credit. Plus, those tips count toward your Social Security earnings record, which helps your future benefits. The key is being proactive about it. The IRS has way bigger fish to fry than servers who voluntarily report their cash tips correctly, even if it's after the fact. It's the people who never report anything and get caught later who face real problems.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this exact situation. I was a server who had been inconsistent about reporting cash tips for about 18 months. When I finally decided to get my act together, I was amazed at how manageable it actually was. I ended up reporting all my unreported tips on Form 4137 for the current tax year only (didn't amend previous years). Even though I had to pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax on those unreported tips, I still got a decent refund because of the Earned Income Credit - my total income was still pretty low. The biggest surprise was that my Social Security statement now shows higher earnings for that year, which will help my future benefits. I wish I had known that earlier because it really is a win-win situation when you do it right. For anyone stressing about this - the IRS really does want you to report your income correctly. They're not trying to destroy people who are making an honest effort to comply. The horror stories you hear are usually about people who got caught hiding income, not people who voluntarily came forward. One tip: keep really good records of your cash tips going forward. I started taking photos of my tip jars at the end of each shift and keeping a simple log. Makes tax time so much easier!

Quick tip from experience: If you're on the fence about hobby vs business, document EVERYTHING that shows you're trying to make a profit. Keep receipts, mileage logs if you travel to sell items, take photos of your workspace, save emails with customers, etc. The IRS looks at your "profit motive" above all else. If you get audited and can show you were seriously trying to make money (even if you weren't successful), you're more likely to keep your business classification.

For those confused about hobby vs business reporting, here's the simplest way to think about it: BUSINESS: You're doing something with the primary goal of making money, even if you also enjoy it. You're making decisions to maximize profits. You can deduct ALL legitimate business expenses, even if they exceed your income. HOBBY: You're doing something primarily for fun or personal fulfillment. Making money is secondary. You must report ALL income, but after 2018 tax law changes, you CANNOT deduct ANY expenses.

Check if your state has a tax preparer registry or licensing requirement. In some states you can report unlicensed preparers and they face heavy penalties. In California the CTEC can fine them $5000 per return!

This is absolutely infuriating and I'm so sorry you're going through this. Unfortunately, tax preparer fraud is way more common than people realize. A few additional things that might help: • Contact your state's Attorney General's office - many have consumer protection divisions that handle tax preparer fraud • If the preparer was using a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number), report them to the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility • Document the timeline of when you discovered the fraud vs when the refund was issued - this can be crucial for criminal charges • Consider reaching out to local news stations - they love these consumer protection stories and the public pressure sometimes gets faster results The fact that she's ghosting you now actually works in your favor for proving intent to defraud. Keep trying to contact her via text/email so you have records of her avoiding you. Don't give up! I've seen people recover their money even a year later when they stayed persistent with the legal process. The IRS takes preparer fraud seriously once you get the right person's attention.