I had this exact same message pop up about 3 weeks ago and was freaking out too! Turns out it's completely normal - just means they've moved your return from the initial intake phase into actual processing. Mine updated to approved status about 10 days after seeing that message. The disappearing bars are annoying but don't mean anything is wrong. Just be patient and keep checking every few days!

I just went through this exact same thing last month! That message is completely normal - it means your return has moved from the "received" stage into actual processing. The bars disappearing is frustrating but it's just how their system works. Mine stayed on that message for about 2 weeks before updating to approved. Don't stress about it, your return is moving through the system normally. The processing times are a bit longer this year but most people are still getting their refunds processed within the 21-day window.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed 2/15, accepted same day, and I've been stuck in processing limbo ever since. Called last week and got the same "error department" explanation with zero details about what the actual error could be. What's really frustrating is that I used the same tax software as last year, same situation (W-2 employee, standard deduction), and last year I had my refund in 10 days. This year it's like my return disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle. The agent I spoke with also mentioned the 10-week wait, but couldn't tell me if that was from filing date or acceptance date. Did they clarify that for you? And did they give you any sense of whether you'd get a letter explaining the issue, or if it might just resolve on its own? It's somewhat comforting to know I'm not alone in this, but man, the lack of transparency from the IRS is maddening!

This exact scenario happened to my sister last month! The "error department" explanation with no actual error details is unfortunately becoming the standard response this tax season. What helped in her case was calling back after about 3 weeks and asking specifically for the error code or freeze code on her account. The second agent she spoke with was able to see a Code 570 freeze (which matches what Ezra mentioned above) and explained it was just an automated system flag for income verification - nothing she did wrong. Her refund ended up processing in week 6, right in line with what others are reporting here. The frustrating part is that first agents often can't see these details or aren't authorized to share them. One tip: when you call back (if needed), ask specifically "what transaction code or freeze code is showing on my account?" That seemed to get better information than just asking about the "error" in general. The waiting game is brutal, but based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like your return will likely process well before that April 18th deadline! 🤞

Just wanted to add one more verification step that helped me when I was in a similar situation - after you enter your payment in TurboTax, check that your total payments on the final review screen match what you actually paid to the IRS throughout the year. I caught an error this way where I had accidentally double-entered one of my payments. TurboTax was showing total payments that were higher than what I actually paid, which would have resulted in a larger refund than I was entitled to (and potentially issues with the IRS later). To verify: add up your extension payment + your additional payUSAtax payment + any other payments you made, and make sure that total matches what TurboTax shows on your final forms. It's a simple check but can save you from headaches down the road!

I went through this exact scenario two years ago and can confirm what others have said - your additional payment goes on Schedule 3 Line 9. But here's something I learned the hard way that might help you: make sure to keep detailed records of the payment method and date. I made my additional payment through Direct Pay (similar to payUSAtax) and when I got my tax transcript later, the IRS had the payment listed but with a slightly different date than what I had recorded. It didn't affect my return, but it caused some confusion when I was trying to reconcile everything. Also, if you're cutting it close to the deadline, don't stress too much about getting this perfect on your first try. You can always amend your return later if you discover you made an error with how you reported the payments. The important thing is that the IRS has received your money - how it's categorized on your return can be corrected if needed.

Just wanted to add - I'm a dental practice consultant, and this situation is actually pretty common. One thing to watch for: if you purchased any specialized dental equipment for the practice that you're taking to the new location, make sure you document the transfer carefully. The IRS might consider this a "sale" from one business to another, which could trigger depreciation recapture if not handled correctly. Your new business would likely need to purchase these assets at fair market value from the old business. Also, don't forget about any security deposits for office space, insurance premiums, etc. Some of these might be partially refundable, which would offset some of your losses.

I went through a similar situation when I had to dissolve my consulting LLC before it generated any revenue. One thing that really helped was keeping detailed records of everything - not just receipts, but also documentation showing the business purpose of each expense and dates when they were incurred. For the IRS filing, since you elected S-corp status, you're absolutely required to file that final 1120-S even with zero income. The IRS computer system is expecting that return based on your election. Miss it and you could face penalties. Regarding your startup expenses, the good news is that dental practice expenses from one location can generally be carried over to another dental practice since it's the same line of business. The key is proper documentation and making sure your new Colorado practice is set up to properly inherit these costs. One tip: consider whether any of your equipment purchases might qualify as assets that can be directly transferred rather than treated as startup costs. Things like dental chairs, computers, or other equipment might be handled differently for tax purposes than purely startup expenses like licensing fees.

Just checked my NetSpend app after seeing Mikayla's update and mine hit too! Got my deposit at 2:47pm EST today (3/17). For anyone still waiting, it looks like NetSpend is releasing them in batches throughout the afternoon. I've noticed they usually do deposits in waves - early morning (12am-6am) for some people, then afternoon batches like this one. Don't panic if you haven't seen yours yet - there might be another wave later today or early tomorrow morning. The important thing is that your transcript shows the 3/17 date, which means the IRS has already sent the payment to NetSpend.

Still waiting here with a 3/17 DDD on my NetSpend account. It's now 4:30pm EST and nothing yet, but reading through everyone's experiences is actually pretty reassuring! Sounds like NetSpend really does process these in multiple waves throughout the day. I've been a NetSpend customer for about 3 years and this is exactly how it went last year - got mine around 6pm even though others got theirs much earlier. For anyone else still waiting, it seems like the key thing is having that 846 code with the 3/17 date on your transcript, which means the IRS has definitely sent the payment. NetSpend's batch processing just takes time to work through all the deposits. Going to try to be patient for a few more hours before I start worrying!