has anyone actually managed to talk to a human at the IRS lately? I've been trying for weeks and can't get through.

The 'as of' date changing from April 30 to May 25 is actually pretty normal during processing, especially for EITC returns. I went through the same thing last year - mine changed dates about 3 times before my refund finally came through. The IRS systems are notorious for these date shifts that don't really correlate to your actual refund timeline. Since you filed in early March and it's been accepted, you're still within the normal processing window. EITC returns do take longer because they require additional verification steps to prevent fraud. The fact that you don't see any error codes (like 570 or 971) on your transcript is a good sign that there aren't any major issues with your return. Try not to check daily if you can help it - I know it's tempting but it just adds to the stress. The date changes are more about their internal system cycles than anything specific happening with your individual return. You should see movement in the next few weeks!

I had this exact same issue last month! Turns out I was entering my SSN with dashes when the system expected it without. Also double-check that you're using your filing status exactly as it appears on your return - even something like "Single" vs "S" can cause a mismatch. The IRS systems are super picky about exact formatting.

Had this exact same problem last week! Turns out I was entering my refund amount wrong - I was using the total refund amount from my tax software, but you actually need to use the amount after any fees were deducted. So if your software shows $1,200 refund but they took a $40 filing fee, you need to enter $1,160. Also make sure you're waiting at least 24 hours after e-filing before checking - the system needs time to process your return first.

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding QJVs! As someone who's been researching this option with my spouse for months, I really appreciate all the practical insights everyone has shared. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - for those who have made the QJV switch, how do you handle business expenses that one spouse pays for but both need to deduct? For example, if I pay for business supplies with my personal credit card, do I need to reimburse myself from the business and then split that expense between our Schedule Cs? Or can we each just deduct our respective portions directly based on our ownership percentages? Also, I'm curious about the mechanics of splitting income when payments come in irregularly. We do project-based work where we might get a large payment in one month and nothing the next. Do you split each payment as it comes in, or do you reconcile everything at year-end based on your agreed percentages? Thanks again to everyone who's shared their experiences - this has been way more informative than anything I've found in the official IRS publications!

This has been such a comprehensive discussion! I'm actually in a very similar situation to the original poster - my wife and I have been running our consulting business with me as the sole proprietor and her as an employee for the past 3 years. Reading through everyone's experiences has really convinced me that switching to a QJV is the right move for us. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from our accountant - if you're currently paying your spouse W-2 wages like we are, switching to a QJV will eliminate the need for payroll processing, quarterly payroll tax filings, and year-end W-2 preparation for the spouse. That's a nice administrative simplification that can save both time and money on payroll service fees. The point about both spouses earning Social Security credits really resonates with us too. My wife has been earning credits through her W-2 wages, but with the QJV structure, she'll potentially earn more credits based on her share of our self-employment income, which could significantly impact her future Social Security benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - especially the practical tips about documentation, banking relationships, and expense handling. This thread has given me way more confidence about making the switch than months of trying to decipher IRS publications on my own!

My return was accepted within minutes too, but then sat in processing for 3 weeks. The WMR tool never updated past the first bar, but my refund suddenly appeared in my account one morning. The system is weird like that sometimes.

Welcome to the waiting game! 😅 That quick "accepted" notification is always exciting but yeah, like others mentioned, it's just the first step. Since you claimed the Child Tax Credit, you're definitely in the PATH Act hold category which means extra processing time. Pro tip: Set up IRS account access now so you can check your transcript in a week or two - it'll show way more detail than the Where's My Refund tool. And don't panic if WMR doesn't update for weeks, that's totally normal. The system is notoriously bad at giving real-time updates, but your refund will come!

Just wanted to add some clarification since there's been a lot of good discussion here. For anyone in a similar situation with mixed US/international education, here are the key takeaways: 1. **AOTC eligibility**: Limited to first 4 years of post-secondary education (anywhere in the world) AND must be for undergraduate-level coursework at a qualifying US institution. So if you did undergrad abroad, you're generally out of luck for AOTC. 2. **Lifetime Learning Credit**: Much more flexible - covers graduate education, no "first 4 years" limit, and doesn't care where you did your previous education. Up to $2,000 credit (20% of $10,000 in expenses). 3. **Documentation**: You'll need Form 1098-T from your US school for either credit. Keep all your receipts and enrollment records. 4. **Income limits**: Both credits have income phase-out ranges, but they're different amounts, so check the current year's limits. The IRS Publication 970 has all the details, but it can be dense reading. If you're still unsure about your specific situation, consider getting professional help rather than guessing - education credit mistakes can trigger audits and you don't want to deal with repaying credits plus penalties later.

I just want to echo what others have said about being careful with education credits - the IRS does pay attention to these. I made an error a few years back claiming AOTC when I wasn't eligible (had already completed my 4 years) and got a notice requiring me to pay back the credit plus interest. For anyone reading this thread, the key thing to remember is that the "first 4 years of post-secondary education" rule applies globally - it doesn't matter if those years were at a foreign institution. Once you've completed 4 years anywhere, you're done with AOTC eligibility forever. The silver lining is that the Lifetime Learning Credit is actually pretty generous for grad students and doesn't have that limitation. I've been using it for my MBA program and it's helped offset a good chunk of my tuition costs. Just make sure your adjusted gross income falls within the eligibility range, which phases out at higher income levels than AOTC.