Direct Deposit is the way 2 go bestie... learned that lesson last year when my check got lost in the mail 💀

Been there with the daily WMR checking! 😅 From my experience, once you get the 846 code, paper checks usually arrive 5-10 business days later. Mine took exactly 7 days last year. The waiting is the worst part but at least once you see that 846 you know your money is coming! Pro tip: set up USPS Informed Delivery so you can see when the check is actually coming in your mail that day - saves some anxiety!

Filed Feb 16th and just wanted to share my experience - I was also stuck in processing limbo for about 9 weeks with zero updates on the "where's my refund" tool. Finally got fed up and contacted the taxpayer advocate program like others mentioned here. Within 2 days of filing the request, an advocate called me back and explained that my return was flagged for identity verification (apparently happens randomly now). She was able to clear it immediately over the phone after I provided some basic info to confirm my identity. Got my refund direct deposited 5 days later! Don't wait as long as I did - if you're past 8 weeks definitely reach out to them. The regular customer service line is basically useless but the advocates actually have power to resolve issues.

Filed Feb 7th and just got my refund this morning after 11 weeks! For anyone still waiting, I wanted to share what finally worked for me. After reading all these comments about the taxpayer advocate program, I decided to give it a shot at week 9. The advocate discovered my return was stuck because of a minor discrepancy with my W-2 wages (off by like $15 due to a rounding error). She was able to override it within a few days and my refund processed immediately after that. The regular customer service reps never mentioned this specific issue - they just kept saying "processing." Definitely recommend the advocate route if you're past 8-10 weeks. Also keep checking your bank account even if the "where's my refund" tool doesn't update - mine never changed from "processing" until the money was already in my account!

Just wanted to add that Sprintax isn't always the best with explaining the FICA refund process for international students and scholars. I was on an F1 visa (similar issue with FICA refunds as J1) and they never told me the refund would come as a check separate from my regular tax refund. My check ended up at my university's international office because that was the address I had listed, and I almost missed it! For anyone reading this who's filing through Sprintax in the future - make sure you use an address where you'll actually be able to receive mail 6-12 months after filing.

I went through this exact same situation with my J1 visa in 2022! The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you can't track the status anywhere. A few key points from my experience: - FICA refunds are indeed processed as paper checks only, never direct deposit - They use the address from your Form 843, not your 1040NR - Processing times are incredibly slow - mine took 14 months total Since you've moved back to your home country, I'd strongly recommend calling the IRS international line at +1-267-941-1000 as soon as possible to update your address. When I called, they were able to see that my check had already been processed and mailed to my old address. They put a stop on that check and reissued a new one to my international address. The key is being proactive - don't just wait and hope it shows up. The IRS won't automatically know you've moved internationally unless you tell them. Also, keep in mind that even after you update your address, it can take another 4-6 weeks for them to reissue the check. Good luck! The money is probably there waiting for you, just needs to get to the right address.

Listen up yall - as someone who deals with transcripts everyday, here's the deal: - TC 150 shows your initial tax liability - TC 826/898 shows offsets/deductions - TC 971/972 indicate adjustments - TC 846 is your refund amount But honestly, instead of trying to piece it all together yourself, just use taxr.ai. Its literally changed how I handle transcripts. Upload your doc and it tells you exactly whats happening, what money moved where, and when to expect everything. Best dollar I ever spent fr fr

Check your Account Transcript - it's different from your Return Transcript. The Account Transcript shows all the activity on your account including payments, refunds, and adjustments. Look for these specific codes: - TC 150: Original tax owed - TC 826: Refund offset to another tax period - TC 898: Refund applied to balance due - TC 670: Penalty charged - TC 971: Notice issued The transaction codes will show the dollar amounts and dates. If you still owe money, it'll be at the bottom as your account balance. The codes can be confusing at first but once you know what to look for it makes sense!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! My company has been treating all remote employees as if we work from their headquarters state, which has created a nightmare for tax filing. What I learned from my accountant is that you need to be really careful about Box 15 on your W2 - if it shows the wrong state code, you're essentially being treated as if you work in a state where you don't actually reside. The key thing is to document everything about your remote work arrangement. Keep records of where you actually perform your work, any home office setup, and communications with your employer about your work location. This becomes important if there are ever questions about your tax residency. One thing that helped me was submitting a formal written request to HR for the W2 correction, not just a casual email. Include your actual home address and clearly state that you perform 100% of your work from your home state. If they still refuse, you have documentation of your attempts to get it corrected, which can be helpful if you need to file Form 4852 or explain the situation to tax authorities later. Also, check if your state has any specific rules about remote workers - some states have gotten more aggressive about taxing remote workers whose companies are based there, even if the employee lives elsewhere. It's worth understanding both states' positions on this issue.

This is such a timely discussion! As someone who's been fully remote for the past 3 years across multiple companies, I've seen this issue become increasingly common. What's frustrating is that many employers still haven't adapted their payroll systems to properly handle remote workers in different states. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - if you're planning to stay with this company long-term, it's worth having a conversation with them about establishing proper multi-state payroll procedures. Some companies are hesitant because it means they have to register to do business in your state and handle additional tax compliance, but it's really their responsibility to get this right. In the meantime, definitely keep detailed records of your work location. I actually keep a simple spreadsheet tracking which days I work from where (home office, coffee shops, etc.) just in case there are ever questions about my primary work location. It might seem like overkill, but with some states getting more aggressive about taxing remote workers, having clear documentation of where you actually perform your work duties can be really valuable. Also, don't panic about the address discrepancy - as others have mentioned, it's the state tax withholding information that really matters for your filing obligations. The address issue is annoying but fixable!