I've been stuck with a 570 code since February 20th, and this thread has been more helpful than hours of searching the IRS website! After reading everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I need to be way more proactive. I've only been checking my account transcript sporadically, but it sounds like I should be monitoring both transcript types weekly for any changes. The local IRS office strategy is definitely something I'm going to try - I had no idea that was even an option. What's really encouraging is seeing that virtually everyone here eventually got their refund, even though the wait times seem totally random. I'm also planning to document all my attempts moving forward in case I need to escalate to Form 911 or contact my representative's office. One question for those who've been through this - when your 570 finally cleared, did you get any advance notice through transcript updates, or did the refund just appear suddenly? Trying to figure out if there are any warning signs to watch for that resolution is coming soon.

I've been stuck with a 570 code since February 16th, and reading through all these experiences has been both helpful and validating - at least I know I'm not alone in this nightmare! What strikes me most is how much more useful information is in this thread than anything available through official IRS channels. I'm definitely going to try the multi-pronged approach several of you have suggested: checking both transcript types weekly, calling my local IRS office during afternoon hours instead of the main number, and preparing to file Form 911 since I'm well past 30 days. The tip about asking agents to add a "taxpayer contact" note is brilliant - I never would have known to do that. It's frustrating that we have to become IRS experts just to get basic information about our own returns, but I appreciate everyone sharing their specific strategies and timelines. For those still waiting like me, it's reassuring to know that virtually everyone eventually gets resolution, even if the process is completely unpredictable.

Just a heads up - I did something similar with my community center last year. Make sure the loan document specifies a reasonable maturity date and repayment schedule, even if it's "balloon payment due in 3 years" or something similar. The IRS doesn't look favorably on loans that have no clear repayment terms, as they can look more like gifts. Also, keep records of any payments they make back to you. If they do default and you want to claim a bad debt deduction later, you'll need to show you made reasonable attempts to collect the debt.

One thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your church is part of a larger denomination, check with their financial office first. Many denominations have established procedures for member loans and may even have template agreements that comply with both IRS requirements and their own governance rules. Also, consider setting up the loan with a nominal interest rate (like 1-2%) instead of zero interest. This can actually simplify things tax-wise since you avoid the imputed interest calculations entirely, and the small amount of interest income is usually manageable. The church can still benefit significantly from below-market rates without triggering the complex IRS rules around gift loans. Make sure you understand your state's usury laws too - some states have minimum interest rate requirements even for loans to nonprofits. Better to be safe and charge a small amount than risk having the loan structure challenged later.

Did you efile both returns through the same tax software? I had an issue where I used TurboTax for current year but FreeTaxUSA for prior year and somehow the prior year one got stuck in limbo for like 3 months.

I went through something very similar last year and it was incredibly frustrating. One thing that helped me was requesting my tax transcripts directly from the IRS website (irs.gov) - you can get them online instantly if you can verify your identity. The transcript will show you if they actually received your 2023 return and what status it has in their system. Even if "Where's My Refund" shows nothing, the transcript often has more detailed information. Look for your "Account Transcript" for tax year 2023 - it'll show transaction codes that can tell you exactly what's happening with your return. Common codes like 150 (return filed) or 846 (refund issued) will give you a clearer picture. If the transcript shows they received it but it's just stuck in processing, at least you'll know it didn't disappear. And if it doesn't show up at all on the transcript, that could indicate the e-file wasn't actually accepted, even though you got a confirmation. Worth checking before spending more time on hold with the IRS!

Quick question - I mailed in my 2022 return last month but haven't heard anything back yet. Is there a way to check if the IRS received it? I didn't e-file because I thought you couldn't do that for prior year returns.

Don't beat yourself up about being late - life happens and you're definitely not the first person to miss a filing deadline during a tough time! The good news is you're still well within that 3-year window to claim your refund. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: make sure you have all your 2022 documents before you start. You'll need your W-2s, any 1099s, receipts for those medical expenses and charitable donations you mentioned, etc. If you're missing any tax documents from employers or financial institutions, you can request copies or sometimes find them in your online accounts from that year. Also, since you mentioned medical expenses - remember that for 2022, you could only deduct medical expenses that exceeded 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. It's worth calculating whether itemizing will actually give you a bigger deduction than the standard deduction was for 2022 ($12,950 for single filers). You've got this! Getting your finances back on track is a great step forward.

Make sure you also consider other tax benefits when planning this! My ex and I alternated claiming our daughter during college, but we didn't realize it would affect things like: 1. Filing status (head of household vs. single) 2. Earned Income Credit 3. Child Tax Credit (until age 17) 4. Higher education credits (American Opportunity Credit is worth up to $2,500) The parent NOT claiming the child in a given year should adjust their W-4 withholding at work to account for the change in tax situation that year. Also, I think one of you might be misunderstanding the savings bond education exclusion. You can only exclude the interest if the bonds are in YOUR name (not the child's) and you use them for qualified education expenses. But you also need to meet income limits, which phased out at like $98k-$128k for single filers last time I checked.

This is such great advice from everyone! I'm going through a similar situation with my ex, and reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. One thing I'd add is to make sure you coordinate the timing of when you complete Form 8332 each year. We learned the hard way that if the custodial parent doesn't get the form to the non-custodial parent early enough in the tax year, it can create complications when filing. Also, I'd strongly recommend sitting down together (or communicating through email if that works better) to map out a 4-year plan before your son starts college. Figure out which parent will claim him each year, and factor in things like: - Who will be using 529 funds or savings bonds in which years - Any expected changes in income that might affect education credit eligibility - Whether either parent might remarry (affecting household income thresholds) We created a simple spreadsheet showing the projected tax benefits for each scenario over all four years, and it made the decision much clearer. Having it all planned out in advance has eliminated any confusion or arguments during tax season. One last tip - keep copies of all Form 8332s and any written agreements you make. The IRS can ask for documentation if they ever question who has the right to claim the dependent in a given year.