Oh my gosh, I freaked out about this EXACT thing last month! 😱 I was checking my account transcript and saw NOTHING about my child tax credit! I was so upset thinking they denied my credits! Then someone told me to check my RETURN transcript instead of my ACCOUNT transcript and there it was - all my claimed credits listed! The account transcript won't show the credits until they finish processing your return. I was stressing for nothing! 😅

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed on February 3rd and my account transcript is completely blank for child tax credit even though I claimed it for my two kids. Tax topic 152 has been showing on WMR for over two weeks now. Reading everyone's experiences here is actually really reassuring - I was starting to panic that something was wrong with my return. It sounds like this empty transcript situation is totally normal during PATH Act processing. I guess we just have to be patient and wait for the IRS to work through their verification process. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines and explanations! 🙏

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed my first US tax return in February and got the 5071C letter about 3 weeks later. Completed the identity verification through ID.me on March 3rd, and like you, I've been anxiously checking WMR every day with no updates. It's so frustrating coming from a different tax system where everything was more straightforward! Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like 2-3 weeks after verification is pretty normal, but the waiting is definitely nerve-wracking. I've started checking my transcript instead of just WMR since several people mentioned that updates there first. Hang in there - sounds like we just need to be patient with the process, even though it's stressful when you're not familiar with how the IRS works!

I completely understand your anxiety about this process! As someone who's been helping taxpayers navigate IRS procedures for several years, I can tell you that the 5071C identity verification timeline is unfortunately quite variable, but there are some patterns. Most cases I've seen resolve within 14-21 business days after successful verification, though first-time filers sometimes experience slightly longer processing times due to additional system checks. The key thing is that once you've completed the ID.me verification, your case is in the queue - it's just a matter of waiting for the manual review process. I'd recommend checking your IRS transcript weekly rather than obsessing over WMR, as the transcript will show the actual processing codes (TC 570 for the hold, TC 571 for the release). Given that you verified last week, you're still well within the normal timeframe. Try not to stress too much - the verification process works, it just requires patience!

The IRS can also cross-reference your income reported on Schedule C with your claimed retirement contributions to see if they're reasonable. If you're claiming max contributions but only reporting modest business income, that might trigger questions. Make sure your profit sharing contributions actually align with your reported business profits!

Another important point about IRS verification - they also use data matching algorithms that compare your reported retirement contributions across multiple forms. For example, if you claim a solo 401k deduction on your 1040 but the amounts don't match what's reported on your business return, that can trigger automated flags. I learned this the hard way when I made an error calculating my maximum employer contribution. The IRS computer systems caught the discrepancy between my Schedule C net profit and the employer contribution I claimed. Even though it was an honest mistake, I had to provide extensive documentation to prove my contributions were legitimate. My advice: run your numbers through multiple calculators before making contributions, and keep a spreadsheet showing exactly how you calculated both your employee and employer contribution limits. This saved me during my correspondence with the IRS because I could show my methodology even though I made an arithmetic error.

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.

I've been running my own single-member LLC for about 3 years now and went through this exact confusion when I first started. The trade name field on the EIN application is definitely optional - I left it blank on mine and never had any issues. What I learned is that your EIN is permanently tied to your LLC's legal name (the one filed with your state when you formed the LLC). The trade name/DBA is just an additional layer you can add later for marketing and business purposes, but it doesn't affect your tax ID at all. I actually didn't decide on my DBA until almost a year after getting my EIN, and the process was straightforward - just filed the paperwork with my state's business registration office and started using it. Your tax returns will always use your LLC's legal name and EIN regardless of what trade name you operate under. My recommendation: get your EIN now so you can move forward with opening business bank accounts and handling other setup tasks that require it. The perfect business name will come to you eventually, and when it does, adding the DBA is a simple administrative step that won't affect any of your existing tax or banking setup.

I went through this same situation about 18 months ago when I started my marketing consultancy LLC. Like many others here have mentioned, I got stuck in analysis paralysis trying to nail down the perfect business name before applying for my EIN. The reality is that the trade name field is completely optional on the EIN application. Your EIN gets tied to your LLC's legal name from your Articles of Organization, not whatever DBA you might use later. I ended up leaving that field blank and got my EIN within 24 hours of applying online. What really helped me was realizing that you need your EIN for almost everything else in the business setup process - bank accounts, business credit cards, vendor applications, client contracts, etc. Waiting to perfect my trade name was literally holding up my entire business launch. I eventually registered my DBA about 4 months later with my state's Secretary of State office for $45. The process was simple - just filled out a one-page form with my LLC's legal name, desired trade name, and EIN. No need to contact the IRS about the change since they only track your legal entity name for tax purposes. My advice: submit your EIN application now and don't let the trade name decision delay your business progress. You can always register a DBA later when the right name comes to you!