6 Does anyone know how long we need to keep these W-8BEN forms on file? Our document retention policy is unclear about international tax forms.

One important thing to add - make sure you get the W-8BEN BEFORE making any payments to your Brazilian contractor. The IRS requires you to have a valid form on file before the first payment, not after. If you pay them first and then collect the form, you could technically be required to withhold the 30% backup withholding. Also, double-check that your contractor fills out Part I completely, including their foreign tax identifying number if their country issues one. Brazil uses CPF numbers for individuals. An incomplete W-8BEN won't provide you with the protection you need from withholding requirements. For your records, I'd also recommend having your contractor sign and date the form, and make sure they check the appropriate box in Part II if they're claiming treaty benefits (though for services performed outside the US, you typically don't need treaty benefits anyway).

I've been dealing with the IRS for over a decade as a tax preparer, and I can confirm what everyone else is saying - the transcript is your golden source of truth here. When you see that 846 code with a specific date, that's the IRS saying "we've cut the check" (digitally speaking). The WMR tool is basically just a dumbed-down version for the general public and it updates whenever it feels like it. I've seen cases where WMR still showed "processing" even AFTER clients received their refunds! Your Friday date is solid. As a fellow business owner, I know you need that certainty for planning - you've got it. The money will be there Friday, and WMR will probably catch up sometime next week and act like nothing happened 😅

I completely understand your concern as a small business owner - cash flow timing is critical! I went through this exact same situation a few months ago. My transcript showed a refund date but WMR was still showing "processing" for days. I was panicking because I had vendor payments due and needed to know if I could count on that money. The transcript ended up being 100% accurate - the refund hit my account exactly when it said it would, while WMR didn't update until 2 days AFTER I already had the money in my bank. It's frustrating that their systems don't sync better, but at least now I know which one to trust. One tip: if you use a credit union or smaller bank, they sometimes release federal deposits a day early, so you might even see it Thursday evening. Either way, you can confidently plan your business finances around that Friday date from your transcript!

I've seen worse situations than yours that still resolved favorably. Someone in my tax group had their return flagged for potential identity theft (not just verification), got multiple freeze codes, and still received their refund after 6 weeks. Compared to that, your situation seems to be following the normal post-verification pattern. The 151 code is concerning on its own, but in the context of a recent identity verification, it's often just part of the process. Just don't call the general IRS line - complete waste of time compared to the specialized departments.

I went through this exact scenario in 2023. The Tax Topic 151 with reference code 1242 after ID verification is actually more common than you'd think. What's happening is that your return is in a "limbo" state while their systems synchronize after removing the identity verification hold. The fact that your transcripts are showing all your credits is a really good sign - it means they've accepted your return details and just need to finish processing the verification removal. In my case, the 811 reversal code appeared exactly 10 days after I got the TT151 message, and my refund was direct deposited 3 days after that. The appeal rights language sounds scary, but it's just their generic message for any review situation. Keep checking your transcripts daily - that's where you'll see the real progress before WMR updates.

Verification is actually a good thing - means they're protecting against identity theft. But yeah the wait times are brutal ngl

I just went through this process last month! The online ID.me verification worked for me after a few tries - definitely try early morning like someone mentioned. If that doesn't work, the in-person appointments are actually pretty quick, just hard to get. Once I verified, it took exactly 21 days to get my refund deposited. Hang in there, I know the waiting is stressful but you'll get through it!

I can totally relate to not wanting to get your hopes up after going through disappointments! The code 290 with $0.00 is actually a really positive sign - it means the IRS has received and accepted your amended return for processing. That 'as of' date of 6/10/2024 is when their system is scheduled to cycle through and potentially post new updates to your account. From what I've seen in this community, many people start seeing additional movement (like refund codes) within a few weeks of their 'as of' date. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but you're definitely in the system now and moving forward! I'd suggest checking your transcript once a week rather than daily - it helps preserve your sanity while keeping you informed. You've got this!

I totally get the anxiety around not wanting to get your hopes up - amended returns can be such an emotional rollercoaster! But honestly, seeing that code 290 with $0.00 is actually really encouraging. It means the IRS has officially acknowledged your amended return and it's entered their processing pipeline. That 'as of' date of 6/10/2024 is particularly interesting because it's when their system is scheduled to cycle through and potentially post updates to your account. From my experience helping others navigate this process, many people see their next set of codes (hopefully including refund codes!) appear within 1-3 weeks of their 'as of' date. The hardest part - getting into the system - is behind you now. I'd recommend checking your transcript maybe once or twice a week rather than daily to save your sanity. The waiting is brutal, but you're definitely moving in the right direction. Keep us posted on what happens around that 6/10 date!