Pro tip: screenshot everything. These glitches happen all the time but at least you'll have proof of any changes

I work in IT and can explain what's likely happening here. The IRS systems undergo scheduled maintenance windows, usually between 12 AM - 6 AM EST. During these periods, the database temporarily displays default values (like $0.00) while background processes run updates and reconciliations. What you experienced is called a "maintenance state display" - the system shows zeroed balances as placeholders while the actual data is being processed or updated. The "Information Not Available" message that followed is the system's way of saying "we're still working on your account data." The fact that it affected multiple tax years (2021-2023) simultaneously is actually a good indicator that this was system-wide maintenance rather than an individual account issue. If there were actual adjustments being processed, you'd typically see activity on just one tax year at a time. Your screenshots are smart documentation, but don't read too much into these temporary displays. The system will revert to showing your actual account status once maintenance completes.

Don't forget that if you're using your phone for both business and personal, you'll need to track the usage pretty carefully. I use an app that logs my calls and categorizes them as business or personal. It has saved me during an audit two years ago when the IRS questioned my 70% business use claim. Was able to show them the exact call logs with business vs personal minutes calculated.

Just a heads up - when you're tracking that 50/50 business/personal usage, make sure you're being really honest about it. The IRS knows that most people use their phones way more for personal stuff than business, so claiming exactly 50% might raise a red flag if you get audited. I'd recommend actually tracking your usage for a month or two to get a realistic percentage. You might find it's more like 30% business or 70% business - whatever it actually is. The key is having documentation to back up whatever percentage you claim. Also, don't forget that if you're an S corp owner-employee, any personal use portion might need to be treated as taxable compensation to you. It's not just about the deduction - there could be payroll tax implications too. Might be worth running this by a tax pro to make sure you're handling both sides correctly.

Just curious - when you amended your return, did you file Form 1040X? And did you check the Head of Household box on line 4 of that form? That's where a lot of people make mistakes with amended returns.

I went through something very similar last year! Don't stress too much - this is actually a pretty common issue when people amend returns to add dependents but forget to update their filing status. Since you have solid documentation that you supported your mom and sister (utility bills, groceries, etc.), you're in good shape. The key things the IRS will want to see are: 1) proof you provided more than half their support, 2) proof they lived with you for more than half the year, and 3) confirmation your sister was a qualifying child (under 17 for Child Tax Credit). One thing to keep in mind - when you respond to the Form 5564, make it clear that changing to Head of Household status actually REDUCES your tax liability compared to Single. This shows the IRS that you weren't trying to cheat the system, since Head of Household is more beneficial anyway. Also, don't just call the number on the notice. You need to send a written response with your documentation within that 90-day window. Calling can be helpful for clarification, but the formal response needs to be in writing. Good luck!

This TurboTax claim bugs me so much. Here's what's really happening: - TurboTax partners with SBTPG (Santa Barbara Tax Products Group) - When the IRS releases your refund, it goes to SBTPG - SBTPG takes out TurboTax fees if you chose that option - SBTPG sends the remainder to your bank Sometimes this process happens quickly and you get your money before the official DDD. But other times, SBTPG sits on it for days. I've had clients get refunds LATER than their DDD because of this middleman step. The most reliable way is to pay TurboTax fees upfront and have your refund sent directly from IRS to your bank.

Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like TurboTax's "up to 5 days early" claim is pretty misleading. Since you chose to have fees deducted from your refund, your money has to go through SBTPG first before reaching your bank account. From what I'm reading, most people in this situation get their refunds 2-3 days early at best, not the full 5 days TurboTax advertises. Your $3,780 refund will likely arrive somewhere between October 25th-27th if the pattern holds true. The exact timing depends on how quickly SBTPG processes it and your bank's deposit policies. You can track it on the SBTPG website (taxpayer.sbtpg.com) as someone mentioned earlier - that might give you a better idea of when to expect it than just relying on the IRS WMR tool. Next year you might want to consider paying the TurboTax fees upfront to avoid the middleman delay and extra convenience fee!

I'm dealing with a similar Form 3520 situation right now - filed late forms for 2021 and 2022 back in March 2023 and still haven't heard anything. The uncertainty is killing me! After reading through all these responses, I think I'm going to try requesting account transcripts first since that seems like the least invasive way to get some information. If that doesn't show anything useful, I might look into one of those services people mentioned to actually get through to the IRS. Isabella, have you made any progress since posting this? I'm curious to know if you've tried any of the suggestions and what worked (or didn't work) for you. The waiting game with these penalties hanging over our heads is brutal - especially when you know they can be so severe.

I've been following this discussion closely as someone who went through a similar Form 3520 ordeal. Based on my experience and what I've seen from others, 42 weeks is definitely beyond normal processing times, but not unheard of for these specialized foreign reporting forms. Here's what I'd recommend doing in order: 1. **Request account transcripts first** - This is free and won't potentially disrupt your case. You can get them online through your IRS account or mail Form 4506-T. Look for any processing codes or penalty assessments. 2. **If transcripts don't show clear information**, try calling early morning (7-8 AM) on Tuesday-Thursday when hold times are typically shorter. Have all your documentation ready including dates and reference numbers. 3. **Consider the Taxpayer Advocate Service** if you can demonstrate hardship from the delay, though they're also backlogged. 4. **Keep detailed records** of everything - dates, correspondence, call attempts. This creates a paper trail if you need to escalate later. The good news is that most people I know who submitted reasonable cause statements with their late Form 3520s eventually got them accepted, even after very long processing delays. The IRS foreign compliance units are severely understaffed, which explains the delays but also means they're often more willing to accept reasonable explanations. Try not to panic - no news often really is good news with these cases. But getting some official confirmation of status would definitely help your peace of mind.