Update:
I filed through H&R Block on 2/4 at around 4 pm. It is still listed as pending more than 48 hrs later (the time estimate for hearing back per H&R Block was 8-48 hrs). With TurboTax my rejection came within an hour.
Because my joint income with my spouse is greater than the listed MAGI threshold, form 8960 was also created by H&R Block. The forms are filled out differently, however.
TurboTax has 600 for line 4a and -600 for line 4b.
H&R Block has 600 for line 4a and 0 for line 4b.
This results in a different value for line 8 (423 vs 1023).
I read the instructions for form 8960 and my eyes crossed, so I can't tell you which one of the forms was filled out correctly, but my guess is if you are UNDER the MAGI threshold or otherwise don't meet criteria forcing the creation of form 8960, you may be able to file successfully. I do not have investment income or rental income, the only reason form 8960 was created for me (at least from what I can tell) is because our household income exceeded the MAGI threshold for the form.
It is super frustrating to have a significant refund being held back because of $600 of 1099-NEC income, but it seems like (im)patiently waiting is my only option right now.
