I just checked my tax return copy and all my banking info looks correct. I've been using the same account for direct deposits from the IRS for the past 3 tax seasons without issues. The status on the Where's My Refund tool specifically says "refund approved" with the May 3 date, not that there are any problems with the deposit info. Is it possible they're just extra backed up this year? It seems weird that they'd approve it but then wait so long to actually send the money.

Yes, they are definitely more backed up this year than usual. I've been preparing taxes for family members for years, and I've noticed much longer processing times this season. The IRS has been dealing with staffing shortages and outdated computer systems. When they approve a refund but schedule it for weeks later, it's often because they're spreading out the payment processing to manage their workflow. Think of it as them putting you in a payment queue based on various factors including filing date, complexity, and even the amount of the refund.

I tried contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service last month for a similar issue. Unfortunately, they're also extremely backed up and told me they're only taking the most severe hardship cases right now. They said unless I was facing immediate eviction or had medical treatments I couldn't receive without the money, they couldn't help with "routine" refund delays.

So does this mean I definitely have to file an amended return? I'm still waiting on my refund to come through and I'm worried this is going to create a huge mess.

Yes, you'll need to file an amended return since you claimed a deduction you weren't eligible for. Form 1040-X is what you'll need to submit. The sooner you do this, the better, as penalties and interest can accrue on any additional tax you end up owing. I would recommend not waiting for your original refund to come through before filing the amendment. The IRS is experiencing significant delays this year, and the longer you wait, the more complicated it could become. If your original refund does arrive, you'll likely need to return some portion of it when your amended return is processed.

This is good advice. I work at a financial institution, and while the April 15 deadline is generally firm, there are occasionally extenuating circumstances or specific situations where other options might be available. It's always worth asking.

Thanks for mentioning quarterly payments - I hadn't considered that! How do you determine how much to pay each quarter if your royalty income fluctuates a lot? My streaming numbers can vary wildly month to month.

Calculating quarterly payments with fluctuating royalty income can be tricky. The safest approach is using the "safe harbor" provision - if you pay at least 100% of last year's tax liability (or 110% if your AGI was over $150,000), you won't face penalties even if you end up owing more. For highly variable income, another option is the "annualized income" method where you calculate each quarterly payment based on your actual income for that period. It's more work but more accurate if your income varies significantly throughout the year. I use a spreadsheet to track monthly income and project my quarterly obligations.

An LLC doesn't change the tax timing - it's still reported on your personal return unless you elect S-Corp status. With an S-Corp, you can pay yourself a reasonable salary and take distributions, but royalty income specifically has some complicated rules. I found that out the hard way. You should really talk to an accountant who specializes in entertainment income because the self-employment tax savings could be substantial depending on your income level, but there are costs to maintaining the corporate structure too.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Did you file the amended 941-X forms yourself or use an accountant? Did the IRS contact you for additional information after you filed?

I used our regular farm accountant to file the 941-X forms. I wouldn't recommend trying to do it yourself unless you're very familiar with payroll tax filings - there are some tricky calculations involved. The IRS did contact us about 4 months after filing for additional documentation. They specifically wanted proof of the government orders we were subject to and documentation showing how those orders impacted our operations. We had prepared for this and had saved all the relevant county health department orders plus our own written policies we implemented in response. They accepted our documentation without issue and processed the refund about 2 months later.

From what I've heard, the IRS has definitely increased scrutiny on ERTC claims. They announced it as an enforcement priority last fall. Farms seem to be getting extra attention because many agricultural operations didn't actually have government-mandated shutdowns like retail or restaurants did.

I've heard that taking the EIC (Earned Income Credit) increases audit risk substantially. Is that true or just another tax myth? I qualify but I'm hesitant to claim it.

The EIC does have a somewhat higher audit rate, but it's still quite low overall. The IRS typically focuses on very specific EIC issues like claiming children who don't meet residency requirements or reporting self-employment income without documentation. If you legitimately qualify and have documentation to support your claim (proof of income, relationship to any qualifying children, etc.), you should absolutely claim it. The credit was designed to help working people, and leaving money on the table because of audit fears means the system isn't serving its purpose. Just make sure your claim is accurate and you can substantiate it if asked.

This matches what my CPA told me too. She said most "audits" for regular people are just automated letters asking you to verify specific items, not the full-blown audits we fear with agents combing through every receipt. Unless you're super wealthy or doing something obviously suspicious, it's usually just computer verification.