Just went through this whole mess last year! 😅 The key thing nobody told me is that there's a difference between being "legally separated" and just "living separately." In most states, legal separation requires actual court paperwork (almost like a mini-divorce), and without that, you're still fully married in the eyes of the IRS no matter how long you've lived apart. I ended up having to file amended returns for 2021 and 2022 after I learned this. The good news is that if you file the amendments yourself before they catch it, you usually avoid the accuracy-related penalties, though you'll still owe interest on any unpaid taxes. I'm a bit worried about how far back they might look if they audit you for this...

Have you considered filing for legal separation? Unlike your current situation, which is informal separation, a legal separation is recognized by the IRS and could potentially help with your filing status going forward. It's like being in the middle ground between marriage and divorce - you're still technically married, but the court has formally recognized your separation. This wouldn't fix past filings, but it could clarify your path forward without having to go through a full divorce if that's not what you want. The requirements vary by state, so you'd need to check what's available where you live. In some cases, it might be simpler than you think and could save you from continued tax complications.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions), e-filed returns should receive an acknowledgment within 24-48 hours. If you're still showing as pending after a week, something's definitely off. H&R Block might be having a system issue they're not admitting to. You can also check your filing status directly with the IRS by creating an account at https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account - this will show if they've received your return regardless of what H&R Block's system says.

I've used both TurboTax and H&R Block over the years, and H&R Block consistently takes longer to show acceptance status. Last year my TurboTax return was accepted in 36 hours, while this year with H&R Block it took 5 days - but everything was fine. Their system just updates slower than TurboTax. As long as you filed electronically and got a confirmation number when you submitted, I wouldn't worry too much yet. If it goes beyond 10 days, then start making calls.

I think we should be careful about suggesting not to file... I'm not a tax professional, but I've heard that the IRS might still expect a return even if you're under the threshold, especially if you received W-2 forms. Maybe it's better to err on the side of caution? I'd hate for the original poster to face penalties later just because they were trying to avoid some paperwork now.

I had this exact situation last year. Here's what I learned: 1. First, determine if you're required to file based on filing status and total income. 2. Second, check if you had any federal taxes withheld from your paychecks. 3. Third, calculate if filing would benefit you (refund of withheld taxes). 4. Fourth, consider if you qualify for refundable credits like EITC. I wasn't required to file but did anyway and got back $380 in withheld taxes. The free filing software took me about 30 minutes. Definitely worth it in my case. Wondering if my situation applies to yours?

Why pay someone else for access to YOUR money? That's exactly what these advances are - you're paying a fee to get what's already yours just a little faster. Would you pay someone $50 to hand you your wallet that's sitting across the room? That's essentially what you're doing with a refund advance. I've been filing early (usually late January) for years and typically get my direct deposit within 2-3 weeks. Just a bit of patience saves you money!

Tax refund advances (TRAs) typically come in two varieties: no-fee advances and fee-based advances. The no-fee options are usually marketing tools designed to attract clients to paid tax preparation services, while fee-based advances function as short-term loans with APRs that can exceed 40% when calculated annually. Most tax professionals recommend avoiding these products unless you're experiencing a genuine financial emergency that cannot wait the typical 21-day processing period for e-filed returns with direct deposit.

Has anyone actually confirmed if the January 27th date was significant this year? I'm fascinated by how the IRS prioritizes returns! Did you notice any pattern with your processing compared to friends or family who filed at different times?

Just to clarify what's happening with the 2024 tax filing season: The IRS officially began accepting returns on January 22nd, 2024. Any returns received before the processing date (January 29th this year) were held in a queue. Being in this early queue can sometimes mean faster processing, but it's not guaranteed. I filed on January 23rd and got my refund on February 12th, while my husband filed on February 1st and is still waiting. The system prioritizes different returns based on multiple factors beyond just submission date.

I think there's some confusion here - are you talking about an actual tax refund advance (like the ones H&R Block or TurboTax offer before your return is processed) or are you referring to your actual tax refund being deposited to your Wisely card? It's like comparing an advance on your paycheck versus your actual paycheck - they work differently and have different timelines.

According to IRS Publication 1345 (Rev. 1-2023), which covers Authorized e-file Providers, refund anticipation loans or advances are banking products not directly regulated by the IRS timing guidelines. The deposit timing is governed by the financial institution's policies and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (Regulation E). Most Wisely card deposits for tax refund advances should be processed within 1-3 business days, though the cardholder agreement specifies they can take up to 5 business days in certain circumstances.

I might be in a similar situation, I think? I sort of received a letter about possible verification issues, but I'm not entirely sure if it's the same thing you're describing. Instead of waiting for the verification process, I went ahead and created an ID.me account and verified my identity proactively through the IRS online portal. It seemed to possibly help speed things up? My return was processed about a week later, though I can't be completely certain if that's what made the difference.

I successfully navigated through this exact situation last month. After checking the IRS2Go app daily with no updates, I finally found the right process. I submitted the requested verification documents (unexpired ID, Social Security card, and utility bill) through the secure portal link in the letter. Verification completed in 9 days, and my refund was deposited exactly 11 days after that. Make sure you're using the official verification portal at https://idverify.irs.gov and not responding to any emails claiming to be from the IRS.

I'm not convinced this is anything to worry about yet. Have you considered that the IRS systems might just be processing returns in batches? Your return and your sister's could have been routed to different processing centers based on factors we don't see. It's like airport security - sometimes one line moves faster than another for no apparent reason. I've seen cases where one spouse e-files minutes after the other and there's a week difference in acceptance times. Give it another day or two before assuming there's a problem with your investments or anything else.

Check for typos. This matters. Look at your AGI. Verify SSN. Review filing status. Check dependent info. Confirm all W-2 data. Verify investment reporting. Double-check bank info. These small errors cause delays. They're easy to fix now. Harder later. I always verify everything three times. Still made mistakes. Fixed them early. Saved weeks of hassle.

I've been through exactly this situation. Here's what happened in my case: • Forgot a $7,200 1099-C on my 2022 return • Refund was initially processed normally (got it in 3 weeks) • Received CP2000 notice about 8 months later • Ended up owing the tax plus interest If I could do it over, I would have amended immediately. The peace of mind alone would have been worth it. Don't worry though - this is a common issue and completely fixable.

Consider requesting an account transcript instead of amending immediately. Per Internal Revenue Manual 4.19.3, the Automated Underreporter (AUR) program may not flag your return if the tax impact is below certain thresholds. Depending on your tax bracket, $5,800 might not trigger automatic review. You can request your transcript online and check if the 1099-C has been posted to your account. The delay from amending could be worse than waiting for potential AUR contact.

Don't expect the full $2500 deduction to translate to $2500 more in your refund. That's not how deductions work. It just reduces your taxable income. If you're in the 22% bracket, that's only about $550 more in your pocket. Ask yourself if it's worth the hassle and potential delays for that amount.

I've amended three returns. All for missed deductions. Process is straightforward. Use same software as original return. Enter correct information. Software calculates difference. Submit electronically. Wait patiently. Tracking is available online. My last amendment took 14 weeks. Worth it for the extra $680 I received. Just make sure your documents match what you're claiming.