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I feel you on this! I went through the same obsessive checking phase last year. From what I've learned, WMR updates daily around 3-6am EST, but transcripts are more sporadic - usually Wednesday/Thursday and Friday/Saturday nights. The key thing that helped me was understanding that constantly checking won't speed up the process. The IRS processes refunds in waves, and if there are any issues with your return, it can cause delays regardless of their update schedule. Try to limit yourself to checking once a day in the morning after their overnight updates. I know it's easier said than done when you're waiting for your money, but the stress of checking 20 times a day just isn't worth it!
Totally agree with this! I'm new here but going through the exact same thing right now. The obsessive checking is so real - I literally had the IRS website bookmarked and was refreshing it during work breaks, lunch, before bed... it was getting ridiculous! š Your advice about checking once in the morning makes so much sense. I think I needed to hear that the constant checking won't actually speed anything up. Definitely going to try the once-a-day approach instead of driving myself crazy. Thanks for the reality check!
OMG yes, the obsessive checking struggle is so real! š I'm literally doing the same thing right now - checking WMR and transcripts like it's my job. From what I've gathered reading through all these comments, it sounds like the general consensus is WMR updates overnight (3-6am EST) and transcripts are more random but often Wednesday/Thursday and Friday nights. The cycle code thing sounds interesting but honestly seems complicated. I think I'm going to try the "check once in the morning" approach that several people mentioned because this constant refreshing is driving me insane and clearly not helping anything! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least I know I'm not the only one going crazy waiting for updates š¤”
Based on what you've described, you should still be eligible for the Earned Income Credit. The IRS recognizes that temporary absences due to circumstances beyond your control (like travel restrictions during emergencies) don't automatically disqualify you from EIC if you maintain your US residence and intend to return. The key factors working in your favor are: 1) Your absence was unplanned and involuntary, 2) You maintained your US ties and residence, and 3) You have clear intention to return. With only $3,800 in earned income, you're well within the income limits for EIC. Make sure to keep documentation of your situation - any records showing why you couldn't return (travel restrictions, family emergency details, etc.) and evidence that you maintained your US residence (lease payments, bank accounts, etc.). File your return as a US resident - don't use any foreign residency forms since your situation is temporary. You should be able to claim the EIC without issues, but having that documentation ready will help if the IRS ever has questions about your residency status during 2023.
This is really helpful advice! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - I got stuck abroad for about 7 months due to visa issues and was worried about my tax filing. It's reassuring to know that temporary absences don't automatically disqualify you from credits like EIC. I've been keeping all my documentation about the visa delays and my ongoing apartment lease back home, so it sounds like I'm on the right track. Thanks for the clear breakdown of what the IRS looks for in these situations!
I want to echo what others have said about keeping thorough documentation, but also add that you might want to consider consulting with a tax professional who specializes in international situations, even for domestic taxpayers with temporary foreign presence. Your situation with the family emergency and travel restrictions sounds very similar to what many people experienced during the pandemic travel disruptions. The IRS has generally been understanding about these involuntary absences when determining residency for credit purposes. One thing I'd specifically recommend is writing a brief statement explaining your situation that you can attach to your return if needed. Include dates, the nature of the family emergency, when travel restrictions prevented your return, and evidence of your ongoing US ties (like continuing to pay rent, maintaining US bank accounts, etc.). This proactive approach can help avoid any potential delays or questions during processing. With your income level, you should definitely qualify for EIC as long as you meet the residency test - which it sounds like you do given the temporary nature of your absence. Don't let the complexity scare you away from claiming credits you're entitled to!
This is excellent advice about writing a brief explanatory statement! I hadn't thought about being proactive like that. Given how unusual 2023 was with all the travel disruptions, it makes sense that the IRS would be more understanding about these situations. Do you think the statement should be a separate document or can it be included in the "Other Information" section of the tax software? I want to make sure I do this right since my situation is pretty unique with the family emergency turning into such a long absence.
Does anyone know if you can apply NOL carryforwards when using tax software like TurboTax or do you need an accountant? I'm trying to save money since I'm still in startup mode but don't want to miss out on using my losses from last year.
I used TurboTax Self-Employed last year and it handled my NOL carryforward, but you need to be careful about entering everything correctly. The software asks about prior year losses but doesn't explain very well what qualifies. I ended up calling their support line to confirm I was doing it right.
Just want to add my experience as someone who went through this recently. I had about $8k in losses from my graphic design business startup costs and was able to carry them forward successfully. The key thing I learned is that you need to distinguish between startup costs (which might need to be amortized over 15 years) and regular business operating expenses (which can create the NOL immediately). Things like your office supplies, software subscriptions, and marketing expenses that you mentioned should qualify for immediate NOL treatment. But if you had any costs related to actually starting the business (like legal fees to set up your LLC, initial market research, etc.), those might fall under the startup cost rules and need different treatment. I'd recommend keeping track of which category each expense falls into - it'll make carrying forward much smoother and help if you ever get questioned about it. The NOL carryforward has been a lifesaver for offsetting my profits this year!
This is really helpful! I'm in a similar situation with my small consulting business and had no idea there was a difference between startup costs and regular operating expenses for NOL purposes. Could you clarify what exactly counts as "startup costs" that need to be amortized? I spent money on things like business cards, initial website development, and some networking events before I officially launched - would those fall under the 15-year amortization rule or can they be treated as immediate business expenses?
This is such a stressful situation! I went through something similar two years ago when my bank merged and closed my old account without me realizing it. From my experience, the 3-5 week timeline that others have mentioned seems pretty accurate. One thing I learned is that you can actually track some of this through the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool - it will show when the direct deposit was rejected and update when they've processed the return of funds. Your friend should definitely keep checking that every few days for status updates. Also, I'd recommend having your friend contact their tax preparer proactively rather than just waiting. Most preparers have seen this before and can give you a better sense of their specific process for handling returned refunds. Some even have automated systems that will notify them when the funds arrive, while others might need to manually check. The good news is that the money isn't lost - it's just taking the scenic route back to them! But I totally understand the anxiety of waiting for a refund you're counting on.
This is really helpful advice! I'm actually going through this right now - my refund got sent to an old account I forgot was closed. The "Where's My Refund" tool has been a lifesaver for tracking what's happening. It's reassuring to hear that the 3-5 week timeline seems consistent across different people's experiences. I was starting to worry after hearing some of the horror stories about months-long delays. Did you find that contacting your preparer helped speed things up at all, or was it more just for peace of mind knowing the process?
I work for a tax preparation service and can confirm the timelines others have mentioned are generally accurate. When a direct deposit gets rejected, we typically see the funds return to us within 3-4 weeks during normal processing periods. A few important points for your friend: - Make sure they stay in contact with their preparer. We maintain detailed records of rejected deposits and can provide status updates. - The preparer should be able to tell them exactly what type of refund product was used (direct deposit vs. refund transfer), as this affects where the money goes when rejected. - Once we receive the returned funds, we usually contact the client within 1-2 business days to arrange pickup or reissue via check/different account. The key is patience and communication. We've handled hundreds of these situations and the money always comes back - it just takes time to work through the system. Your friend should feel comfortable calling their preparer weekly for updates rather than just waiting in silence.
This is so reassuring to hear from someone who actually works in the industry! I've been helping my friend navigate this situation and the professional perspective really helps. Quick question - when you mention "refund transfer" vs regular direct deposit, how can someone tell which type they used? Is this something that would be noted on their tax documents or receipt from the preparer? Also, do you find that clients who stay in regular contact actually get their funds processed any faster, or is it more just about having peace of mind during the wait?
Levi Parker
I'm in the exact same boat! Got my CP05 notice yesterday and have been spiraling ever since. Filed my return in early February with just W-2 income and standard deduction - nothing complicated at all. The 810 code showed up on my transcript about two weeks ago and I've been checking it daily hoping it would disappear. What's really frustrating is that I claimed the Child Tax Credit for my two kids, which I've done for years without any issues. Now I'm wondering if that's what triggered this "random" review. The timing couldn't be worse since I was planning to use my refund to catch up on some bills. Reading through all these responses is actually pretty reassuring though. It sounds like most people do eventually get their full refund, even if it takes the full 60 days. Still doesn't make the waiting any easier when you're living paycheck to paycheck and counting on that money. I guess I'll try to follow the advice here and stop checking my transcript every day. Maybe I'll set a weekly reminder instead. Thanks for posting this - it really helps to know other people are going through the same thing right now!
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Giovanni Colombo
ā¢I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Also filed in early February with just W-2 income and standard deduction, plus Child Tax Credit for my daughter. Got the 810 code about 3 weeks ago and just received my CP05 notice this week. It's so stressful when you're counting on that refund money and suddenly you're stuck in this limbo for up to 60 days. I've been obsessively checking my transcript too but nothing changes. The uncertainty is killing me! From reading everyone's experiences here, it does seem like most CP05 reviews end with the full refund being released eventually. I'm trying to stay positive but the waiting is brutal. At least we're not alone in this - seems like a lot of people are dealing with these random reviews this year. Hang in there! Hopefully we'll both see some movement on our transcripts soon. š¤
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Liam Fitzgerald
I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! Got my CP05 notice a few days ago after seeing the dreaded 810 code on my transcript for the past couple weeks. Filed a simple return in mid-February - just W-2 income, standard deduction, and Child Tax Credit - so I have no idea why I got flagged for this "random" review. The most frustrating part is the complete lack of transparency from the IRS. They say it's to verify accuracy but won't tell you what specifically they're reviewing or give you any real timeline beyond "up to 60 days." Meanwhile I'm sitting here refreshing my transcript daily hoping to see some progress. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually pretty comforting though. Sounds like the vast majority of these CP05 reviews end with the full refund being released, even if it takes nearly the full 60 days. I guess I just need to be patient and stop obsessing over my transcript every day. Thanks for sharing your experience OP - it really helps to know we're all in this together with these annoying delays. Hopefully we'll both see movement on our cases soon! š¤
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Felix Grigori
ā¢I'm going through this too! Just got my CP05 notice last week and it's so nerve-wracking. Like you, I have a super simple return - just W-2 income and standard deduction. The lack of explanation from the IRS is the worst part. They basically say "we're reviewing your return" but won't tell you what they're actually looking at or why yours got selected. I've been trying not to check my transcript every day but it's hard when you're waiting for that refund money. From everything I've read here, it sounds like most people do get their full refund eventually, it just takes forever. The 60-day timeline feels like an eternity when you're in limbo! Hang in there - at least we know we're not alone in dealing with these random reviews. Hopefully both our cases will resolve soon! š¤
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