I had almost the exact same experience with Jackson Financial last year! The "already verified" thing is super confusing but it doesn't mean your check is ruined. What helped me was calling Jackson Financial directly and asking them to walk me through the best places to cash it in my area. They actually had a list of banks and credit unions that regularly work with their refund checks without issues. Also, if you're really stuck, Jackson Financial might be able to help you reissue the refund as direct deposit for a small fee. It's not ideal since you've already waited for the money, but it could save you more driving around and frustration. I ended up going that route and got my refund deposited within 3 business days. Don't give up - that money is definitely yours and there are multiple ways to get it! The verification flag is just a speed bump, not a roadblock.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add another perspective. As someone who's dealt with similar tax refund check issues, I found that calling the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service can also be helpful if you're really stuck. They're a separate division within the IRS that specifically helps taxpayers resolve problems like this. The number is 1-877-777-4778 and while they can't cash your check for you, they can often clarify what's happening with the verification flags and sometimes expedite solutions. They were able to explain to me that the "already verified" status is actually a good thing - it means the check has already passed security screening, so legitimate banks and credit unions should be more willing to accept it. I'd definitely try the credit union route first as others have suggested, but if you continue having issues, the Taxpayer Advocate Service might be able to provide additional options or even help coordinate with your tax preparer for a reissue. They're generally much easier to reach than the main IRS lines and are specifically trained to help with these kinds of frustrating situations.

Had this same issue last month! If you're really in a rush, you can also try the "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov - sometimes it'll give you a direct link to verify online without waiting for the letter. Also check if your state has any IRS satellite offices, they're usually less crowded than the main TACs. Good luck!

Ugh I feel your pain! I went through this nightmare last year. One thing that worked for me was faxing my documents directly to the IRS verification department - it's faster than mail but still takes about 2-3 weeks. The fax number should be on any correspondence you got from them. Also try logging into your IRS online account if you haven't already, sometimes they'll let you upload docs there. The whole system is a mess but you'll get through it eventually!

I feel your stress! I went through this exact same situation with my Chime account last year. The direct deposit failed and I was panicking about my bills too. From my experience and what I've seen others post, you're looking at about 10-14 days from the mail date in most cases, though it can take up to 4 weeks officially. Since your check was mailed March 9th, I'd expect it by around March 19-23rd if things go normally. The USPS Informed Delivery suggestion is solid - it'll give you peace of mind to see it coming. Try not to stress too much, the IRS is pretty reliable with mailing checks even if their timelines suck. Hang in there!

I went through this same nightmare last year when my direct deposit to Ally Bank failed. The waiting is absolutely the worst part when you're counting on that money! From what I've seen, most people get their checks within 2 weeks of the mail date, but the IRS officially says allow up to 4 weeks just to cover their bases. Since yours was mailed March 9th, you should hopefully see it by next week. One thing that helped me stay sane was setting up USPS Informed Delivery like others mentioned - at least then you'll know it's coming that day instead of anxiously checking your mailbox multiple times. Also, make sure your mailbox is secure since refund checks are prime targets for mail theft. If you don't see it by April 6th (4 weeks from mail date), that's when you can call the IRS to start a payment trace. Try to hang in there - I know the stress is real when bills are due!

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The 570/971 codes with undeliverable mail notification are definitely connected. In my case, the IRS had tried to send me a CP05 notice requesting additional verification of my identity, but it bounced back because of a formatting issue with my apartment number. Here's what worked for me: 1. I updated my address through the IRS online account (make sure it matches USPS formatting exactly) 2. Called the IRS using the practitioner priority line early in the morning (around 7 AM) - had better luck getting through 3. The agent was able to tell me what the original notice was about and handled the verification over the phone My refund was released about 12 days after that call. The key is getting someone on the phone who can actually see what notice they tried to send you. Don't just update your address and wait - you need to proactively find out what they were trying to communicate. Also, keep checking your transcript daily for that 571 code that reverses the 570 hold. That's your signal that things are moving again. Good luck!

I'm dealing with something very similar right now! I had those exact same codes (570 and 971) appear on my transcript about 3 weeks ago, and I also got the undeliverable mail notification in my IRS account. What I found out after finally getting through to someone at the IRS is that they had tried to send me a notice about verifying some information on my return, but it came back as undeliverable. The frustrating part is that I've been getting all my other mail just fine at this address! I ended up having to update my address through the IRS website AND call them to find out what the notice was actually about. Turns out they just needed me to verify my identity because I had moved during the tax year (which I disclosed on my return). Once I did the verification over the phone, they said it would take 2-3 weeks for the refund to be released. Definitely don't wait for them to automatically resend anything - you need to be proactive about calling. I know it's a pain to get through, but it's the only way to find out what they actually need from you. The address issue and the hold codes are 100% connected in your case.

Don't overlook the potential mileage deduction! For 2023 its 65.5 cents per mile for business travel in your truck. If your driving a lot for these contracts that really adds up. Just make sure you keep a detailed mileage log (i use the stride app). You can either do actual expenses or the standard mileage rate but not both.

Just to add another perspective - I went through this exact same decision last year when I started my handyman business. I ended up going with a single-member LLC for the liability protection, especially since I'm working with power tools and heavy equipment on client properties. The peace of mind is worth the small additional paperwork. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: if you're buying that pickup truck, look into whether you qualify for the full Section 179 deduction (up to $1.16 million for 2023) vs. regular depreciation. For vehicles over 6,000 lbs GVWR used primarily for business, you might be able to deduct the full purchase price in the first year instead of depreciating it over time. This could be huge for your tax situation, especially if you're expecting a loss this year anyway. Also, keep every single receipt and document everything. The IRS gets picky about vehicle and equipment deductions, so having bulletproof records is essential.