mine cleared after 6 weeks. hang in there!

Looking at your transcript, the good news is your refund amount is solid at $15,621 - all your credits and withholdings add up correctly. The 570/971 combo usually means they're verifying some of your credits, possibly the large ones totaling $10,846. Since your 971 notice was issued 03-27-2023, you should have received or will receive mail explaining what they need. Sometimes it's just identity verification or documentation for certain credits. The April 16th dates you're seeing are just processing cycle dates, not your actual refund date. With a cycle code ending in 05, you're on a weekly cycle which is actually better for getting updates. Keep checking your transcript weekly for changes - once that 570 drops off, you should see an 846 refund date code pretty quickly after. Have you received any mail from the IRS yet? That 971 notice will tell you exactly what's holding things up.

I went through this exact same situation last year with my Shareworks ESPP account! The key thing that helped me figure it out was looking at my actual account statements more carefully. In the fine print of my quarterly statements, I found language that specifically mentioned "Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC" as the custodian, which is clearly a US entity. Even though the mailing address and some correspondence showed Canadian addresses, the actual legal entity holding my shares was US-based. You can also check your account opening documents or look in the "Important Disclosures" section of your online account. There should be clear language about which Morgan Stanley entity is your account custodian. If it says something like "Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC" or another US LLC/Corp designation, you're dealing with a US account and no FBAR required. If you're still not 100% sure after checking these documents, definitely call their customer service line and ask them directly to confirm which legal entity is the custodian of your account. They should be able to give you a definitive answer. Better to spend 20 minutes on the phone than worry about potential FBAR penalties!

I've been dealing with this exact Shareworks/FBAR question for months and finally got clarity from my CPA. The bottom line is that most Shareworks ESPP accounts maintained through Morgan Stanley are actually US accounts, even with the Canadian address confusion. Here's what I learned: When Solium was acquired by Morgan Stanley, most existing US participant accounts were transferred to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, which is a US entity. However, some accounts might still be held by Morgan Stanley Canada depending on when your account was established and your company's specific arrangement. The easiest way to determine this is to log into your Shareworks account online and look for the "Account Details" or "Legal Information" section. It should clearly state which Morgan Stanley entity is the custodian. If it shows any US LLC or Corp designation, you're dealing with a domestic account and no FBAR is required. One thing to be careful about - even if you determine no FBAR is needed now, keep monitoring this if Morgan Stanley makes any changes to how they hold accounts in the future. Corporate restructuring can sometimes change the legal status of where accounts are maintained. Also worth noting: the $10,000 FBAR threshold is based on the highest balance at any point during the year, not just year-end balance. So if your account briefly hit $10,001 in March but was back down to $8,000 by December, you'd still need to file if it were indeed a foreign account.

Has anyone who filed on 2/11 received any updates yet? It's like our returns are stuck in a traffic jam while later filers zoom past us on the express lane. I'm wondering if there's something specific about that filing date that's causing issues - like how sometimes a specific batch of mail gets misrouted and arrives later than mail sent days afterward?

I'm in the exact same situation! Filed 2/11, accepted same day, and still stuck on the first bar of WMR with transcript showing N/A. I've been checking daily like clockwork and it's driving me crazy. What's even more frustrating is seeing people who filed weeks after us already getting their refunds. I called the IRS twice but gave up after waiting over an hour each time. At this point I'm wondering if there was some kind of system glitch with the 2/11 batch that's causing all of us to be stuck in limbo together. Has anyone found any official explanation for why this specific date seems to be problematic?

This thread has been incredibly insightful for someone like me who's been contemplating this exact career transition! I'm currently working in corporate finance but have been feeling that same disconnect from meaningful work that many of you described. The idea of having direct client relationships and actually seeing the tangible impact of my expertise on real people's financial situations is exactly what's drawing me to tax preparation. What I find most encouraging is hearing from multiple people who made similar transitions and found it rewarding despite the challenges. The seasonal nature initially seemed like a drawback, but after reading these experiences, I'm starting to see it as a feature rather than a bug - having that natural rhythm of intense focus followed by recovery time sounds much healthier than the constant corporate grind. I'm particularly interested in the technology evolution that's happening in the field. It sounds like AI and automation are actually enhancing the profession rather than threatening it, by handling routine tasks and allowing preparers to focus more on advisory work and complex problem-solving. That analytical "detective work" aspect that Margot mentioned really appeals to me. My biggest question is about the initial investment - beyond certifications and software, what other startup costs should someone budget for when establishing a tax preparation practice? Office space, insurance, marketing, etc.? I want to make sure I'm financially prepared for all aspects of this transition.

This entire discussion has been incredibly valuable! As someone who's been on the fence about transitioning from corporate tax to individual tax preparation, you've all addressed my biggest concerns and questions. What really stands out to me is how this profession seems to reward both technical expertise and genuine care for clients. The stories about helping families discover unexpected refunds or guiding small business owners through complex deductions - that's exactly the kind of meaningful impact I'm craving in my work. I'm particularly drawn to the seasonal structure now that I understand it better. After years of constant corporate pressure and arbitrary deadlines, having that natural ebb and flow tied to actual tax calendar requirements sounds refreshing. Plus the ability to supplement with bookkeeping and advisory services during slower periods creates multiple revenue streams. The technology discussion has been eye-opening too. Rather than replacing tax preparers, it sounds like AI tools are elevating the profession by handling routine tasks and allowing more focus on complex problem-solving and client relationships. That "detective work" aspect really appeals to my analytical nature. Based on all your insights, I'm leaning toward starting with VITA volunteering this upcoming season to get client-facing experience while I prepare for the EA exam. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - this thread has been more helpful than any career counseling session!

Rita, I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! As someone who's worked in banking compliance, I can tell you that while these holds are frustrating, there are specific steps you can take to resolve this faster. First, the key is understanding that your bank likely implemented what's called a "large deposit exception hold" under Regulation CC. They're required to provide you with written notice explaining the hold, when funds will be available, and your right to appeal. If you haven't received this notice, that's actually a violation you can use as leverage. Here's your immediate action plan: 1. Call and ask specifically for the "Exception Processing Department" - not general customer service 2. Request they separate the hold on your pre-existing balance from the tax refund portion (there's no legal justification for restricting funds that were already in your account) 3. Mention your mortgage payment deadline and ask about their hardship review process 4. Get everything in writing, including a case reference number The marriage aspect might be key here - if your tax return shows a different name than your bank account (maiden vs. married name), that could be triggering their fraud detection. Bringing your marriage certificate might help. Also, file a CFPB complaint online immediately - banks often respond within 24-48 hours once regulatory oversight is involved. And definitely call your mortgage servicer today to explain the situation before any late fees kick in. You have more rights than they're probably telling you. Stay persistent!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this Rita - what a nightmare situation, especially with your first mortgage payment due! Based on everything I've read here, it sounds like you have several strong options to push for faster resolution. The advice about separating the hold on your pre-existing balance versus the tax refund portion really resonates with me. There's absolutely no reason they should be restricting money that was already in your account before the deposit - that seems like a clear overreach on their part. I'd definitely recommend the multi-pronged approach several people mentioned: call back and specifically ask for the "Exception Processing Department" or "Funds Availability Department," file that CFPB complaint online (sounds like it really does speed things up), and be very clear about the financial hardship this is causing with your mortgage deadline. The name change theory is really interesting too - if your tax return has your married name but your bank account is still in your maiden name, that could totally be what triggered their fraud detection system. Might be worth bringing your marriage certificate when you go in person. Most importantly, definitely call your mortgage servicer today to get ahead of this. Better to explain the situation proactively than deal with late fees later. Stay strong and keep pushing - your money will get released, but you shouldn't have to suffer financially while they drag their feet on reviews!