I'm currently on day 5 of waiting for my ID.me verification and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Like many others here, I had my video interview and then just radio silence. I was really starting to panic that it would somehow delay my refund processing, especially since I need to plan some quarterly business payments. But reading everyone's experiences has made it crystal clear that these are totally separate systems - such a relief! I've been religiously checking Where's My Refund and it shows my return (filed 17 days ago) is processing normally. It's amazing how many people are dealing with these same ID.me delays right now. Definitely going to try calling that customer service number someone shared. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - knowing we're all in the same boat and that our refunds aren't affected makes this wait so much more manageable!

I'm dealing with the exact same ID.me verification nightmare right now - day 8 and counting since my video interview with absolutely no communication from them! This thread has been such a sanity saver though. I was genuinely panicking that it would somehow interfere with my refund processing since I have some major business purchases I need to time correctly. But seeing all these confirmations that the systems are completely separate has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. Filed my return 22 days ago and the Where's My Refund tool continues to show normal processing progress. It's honestly mind-blowing how many people are stuck in this same ID.me limbo - they're clearly overwhelmed this tax season. Definitely calling that 1-855-438-6343 number tomorrow to see if I can get any movement on my case. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and timelines - it's so reassuring to know our refunds are moving forward regardless of this verification mess!

I compared exactly 5 different tax services offering advances this year. TaxAct gave me a $1,000 advance within 24 hours after acceptance, which was precisely 15% of my expected refund. No hidden fees whatsoever, and I received my full remaining refund exactly 17 days after filing. Their advance program has a 98.7% approval rate according to their customer service rep. Was relieved to find something that actually worked as advertised!

As someone who's been through the refund advance process multiple times, I'd add a few important considerations that haven't been fully covered yet: 1. **Timing matters** - Most advances are only available after January 15th when the IRS starts accepting returns, but some services open applications earlier for pre-approval. 2. **Bank account requirements** - Many services require you to receive the advance (and sometimes your full refund) on their branded prepaid card rather than direct deposit to your own account. This can create additional fees if you need to transfer money out. 3. **State tax complications** - If you owe state taxes or have garnishments, it can affect both your advance eligibility and final refund amount, leaving you potentially owing money back to the advance provider. 4. **Alternative option** - Some credit unions and community banks offer short-term "tax season loans" with better terms than commercial tax prep advances, especially if you're already a member. The key is reading ALL the fine print and having a backup plan if your actual refund doesn't match expectations. Hope this helps your community members make informed decisions!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my former employer is demanding repayment of a $30k signing bonus (gross amount) even though I only received about $22k after taxes. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like since I'm repaying in the same tax year, they should only be asking for the net amount. I'm going to reference Revenue Ruling 79-311 and IRS Publication 15 when I talk to their tax department. One question though - has anyone had success getting their employer to put the corrected repayment calculation in writing? I want to make sure there's a paper trail showing they agreed to the net amount so there are no issues when I file my taxes next year. Also, for those who used the various services mentioned (taxr.ai, Claimyr), did you find them worth the cost? I'm trying to decide if I should invest in getting professional guidance or if the IRS publications and revenue rulings are sufficient to make my case.

I'm a CPA and want to add some clarity to this discussion. The key issue here is timing and proper tax reporting. For same-year repayments (which is your situation), your employer should indeed only request the net amount you received. This is because they can make what's called a "correcting entry" to their payroll records before year-end, essentially treating the bonus as if it was never paid. They recover the tax withholdings directly from the government when they file their quarterly payroll tax returns. However, I've seen many employers get this wrong because their payroll departments don't understand the distinction. Here's what I recommend: 1. Request a meeting with their tax/accounting department (not HR) 2. Reference IRS Revenue Ruling 79-311 and Publication 15, Section 13 3. Ask them to explain their "correcting entry" process for the W-2 adjustment 4. Get their revised calculation AND the process explanation in writing If they still refuse, you might consider filing a complaint with your state's department of labor, as demanding repayment beyond what you actually received could violate wage and hour laws in some states. The bottom line: you should only repay what actually hit your bank account when the repayment occurs in the same tax year as the original payment.

Don't forget you'll need to file a Form 4562 with your taxes if you're depreciating your vehicle! Also if you're doing quarterly estimated taxes, you should factor in your vehicle deduction to avoid overpaying throughout the year.

Something I learned the hard way - if you decide to go with actual expenses method, make sure you keep receipts for EVERYTHING related to your car from day one of business use. Gas, oil changes, repairs, insurance, registration fees, even car washes if they're for business purposes. The IRS can ask for documentation going back years. Also, get a dedicated business credit card or bank account if you can. Makes tracking so much easier than trying to separate personal vs business expenses later. I use a simple spreadsheet to track my business mileage with columns for date, starting odometer, ending odometer, destination, and business purpose. Takes like 30 seconds per trip but could save you thousands if you ever get audited. One more tip - if you're just starting out as an independent contractor, consider setting aside about 25-30% of your income for taxes since you won't have an employer withholding. Vehicle deductions help reduce that burden but you still want to be prepared for quarterly payments.

what tax software r u using? Some are better than others at catching these things before submission

Have you tried checking your IRS account transcript online? Sometimes there are discrepancies between what you think your prior year AGI was and what the IRS actually has on file. Also make sure you're using the EXACT amounts from your W-2 boxes - even a penny difference will cause rejection. The system is super picky about matching data precisely.