I'm seeing some confusion in this thread that might need clarification. May I ask if you've received any physical mail from the IRS regarding your return? Sometimes adjustments are communicated through traditional mail before they appear in the electronic systems. Also, have you verified that your address is current in the IRS system? This could potentially impact whether you receive important notices.

I had this exact situation last month! Here's what I learned: • No codes doesn't always mean no adjustments • Some adjustments happen silently at first • WMR updates AFTER transcripts in most cases • Small adjustments (under $25) sometimes happen without notice • Larger adjustments require a formal notice Anyone else notice that the IRS seems to be processing returns differently this year? My return was accepted February 2nd and I just got my deposit yesterday.

Based on what I've observed in the community, amended returns submitted after January 15, 2024 are currently taking between 16-22 weeks to process. The IRS began addressing their backlog on February 3, 2024, and has been making steady progress. My amended return from March 17th was just accepted on June 5th - exactly 11 weeks and 4 days. The Where's My Amended Return tool typically updates on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so check on those days for the most current information.

Waiting for an amended return is like being stuck in airport security while watching people in the TSA PreCheck line zoom past you. I filed an amended return last year for a similar military housing allowance issue, and after 14 weeks of nothing, I discovered a magical workaround. I contacted my Congressional Representative's office through their constituent services. They have dedicated IRS liaisons who can check status and sometimes nudge things along. Within 10 days of their inquiry, my amendment suddenly processed. It's like having someone cut through all the red tape with industrial scissors.

I don't think the IRS is telling the whole truth about these timeframes. My transcript showed an 846 date of October 3rd but I didn't get my check until October 24th. Almost everyone I know has had to wait longer than they say. The whole system is broken. I'd start calling them now rather than waiting - they might have sent it to an old address or there could be other issues.

Oh my gosh I'm going through the EXACT same thing right now!! 😩 My 846 date was 11/3 and I'm checking my mailbox like a crazy person every day! I'm so worried because I've read horror stories about checks getting lost. I've been refreshing the Informed Delivery app from USPS constantly to see if it shows up there before it arrives. This waiting is torture when you really need the money! I just keep telling myself that the government moves slowly and I shouldn't panic yet... but it's so hard!

According to the IRS.gov knowledge base (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-irs-notice-or-letter), non-certified mail that follows a resolved soft hold is almost always a CP215 notice (Premium Tax Credit verification completion) or a CP14H (general case closure notification). Since you mentioned this was related to marketplace issues that were resolved, the timing aligns perfectly with their standard follow-up procedure. The IRS typically sends these 45-60 days after resolution, which matches your May resolution timeline. You can verify this by logging into your IRS online account and checking the "Messages" tab, which usually displays pending correspondence before it arrives physically.

Have you checked if you can access your IRS online account to see if the letter is already posted there? Sometimes they upload the digital version before the physical mail arrives. Did your refund amount change at all after the soft hold was released? I'm curious if there might be an adjustment explanation coming. What was the specific marketplace issue that caused the hold initially? Sometimes understanding the original trigger helps predict what follow-up documentation they might send.

Just wanted to share that I was in your exact situation last year after finalizing my divorce on November 10th. I claimed my kids for the first time solo, and while the credit amount wasn't larger than previous years, I did qualify for Head of Household status which gave me a better tax bracket. Make sure you're filing with the correct status! I nearly filed as Single until my preparer caught it. You have until April 15th to file, but if you're getting a refund, I'd recommend filing ASAP as processing times are already backing up.

Lemme give u a real example from my taxes this yr. Got 2 kids (6 & 8), filed HOH, made about 62k. Got exactly $4k in CTC ($2k per kid), but only $3k was refundable. The other $1k offset what I would've owed. Total refund was ~$5.8k including EITC. Same as last yr tbh. No increase at all. BTW if ur ex tries to claim them too, ur return will get flagged and delayed for MONTHS. Ask me how I know lol.

I think there might be some confusion about what these companies are actually checking. They may say "no credit check" but they're still evaluating risk somehow. I'm wondering if they're looking at your tax filing history or maybe checking other databases. Has anyone noticed if they ask questions about previous filings or employment verification?

The distinction between different types of refund advance products is important to understand. There are no-fee refund advances (RACs - Refund Anticipation Checks) and interest-bearing refund loans (RALs - Refund Anticipation Loans). The former typically don't use traditional FICO scores but may utilize alternative verification methods like ChexSystems or TeleCheck to assess banking history. The latter might incorporate more traditional credit criteria. Are you considering a specific tax preparation service?

You might want to consider alternatives that could potentially be more cost-effective. Perhaps look into filing electronically with direct deposit, which typically results in refunds within 21 days for most taxpayers. It seems like Express1040 might be offering a solution to a problem that doesn't necessarily exist if you're not in immediate need of funds. I'm fairly impressed with how many people here have done the math on the effective interest rates of these advances.

I successfully avoided the RAL (Refund Anticipation Loan) trap by using a fee-free VITA site for my tax preparation and setting up direct deposit. My AGI was $72,000 last year, so I qualified for their free services. I received my full refund in exactly 11 days with no preparation fees or advance charges. The IRS Direct Pay system processed my refund efficiently, and I didn't have to sacrifice any portion of my tax return to a third-party preparer or loan servicer.

According to IRS Publication 5, if your check hasn't arrived within 28 days of the mail date shown on your transcript or Where's My Refund, you should immediately initiate a payment trace! Don't wait any longer. Call 800-829-1954 or submit Form 3911. The IRS is required to begin investigation within 10 business days of receiving your trace request. With tax season ending soon, call volumes will increase dramatically, so act now before the post-filing rush makes it even harder to reach someone.

Before assuming it's returned, consider these possibilities: • USPS delivery delays (currently averaging 3-5 days longer in many regions) • Check was delivered but to wrong mailbox • Check is being held at local post office • Mail theft (unfortunately common with government checks) Try checking with your local post office directly rather than just using Informed Delivery. Sometimes checks are held there if they require signature or have special handling instructions. Also, the IRS often uses a different return address on the envelope than what you might expect, so it could be in your mail pile unrecognized.

For someone who just started self-employment in May, here's what you need to know about each option: H&R Block: Are you comfortable with a straightforward interface that walks you through each section? Their self-employed version costs around $85-110 depending on promotions. Jackson Hewitt: Do you prefer more guidance with fewer bells and whistles? Their pricing is competitive but their online experience isn't as polished. TurboTax: Are you willing to pay more for the most hand-holding? Their Self-Employed version is the most expensive ($120-190) but also the most comprehensive. Whichever you choose, you'll need to complete Schedule C and Schedule SE. The software will calculate your self-employment tax automatically. I appreciate that you're researching this early instead of waiting until April!

Be extremely careful with self-employment taxes! Per IRS Publication 505, you're required to make quarterly estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes. Since you started in May, you may have missed the June 15th and September 15th payment deadlines already. I learned this the hard way my first year - ended up with $430 in penalties for underpayment according to IRC Section 6654(a). The tax software won't warn you about this until it's too late! I was shocked when I discovered this after thinking I was doing everything right.

Have you checked your IRS transcript to see if your return has been officially accepted yet? There's a specific code (846) that appears when your refund is approved, and other codes like 570/971 that indicate different processing stages. If you don't see any codes yet, there's a possibility your return is still in the submission queue and hasn't been fully processed.

I believe I can provide some insight here, as I've seen this situation play out several times. The "Refund Advance" products at most tax preparation chains are technically loans based on your anticipated refund, not actual advances of your refund itself. In my experience, what likely happened is that Liberty Tax's underwriter (usually a bank or financial institution that partners with them) only approved you for $200 based on their risk assessment algorithm, despite what the tax preparer told you. The preparer probably shouldn't have quoted you a specific amount without running your information through their system first. Unfortunately, once your return has been submitted and especially if you've received any portion of an advance, you're generally bound to that preparer for this tax season. For next year, you might want to consider filing earlier in the season with a more transparent preparer or using one of the free filing options if your return is relatively straightforward.