


Ask the community...
its like watching paint dry except the paint might randomly disappear and reappear whenever it feels like it lmaooo
this is the most accurate description ive ever seen š
I've been tracking my own transcripts for the past few tax seasons and here's what I've noticed: while the IRS technically updates daily, there are definitely patterns. Most significant movements (like refund approvals, cycle codes changing) tend to happen overnight Wednesday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday. But smaller updates like processing acknowledgments can pop up any day. My advice? Check Thursday mornings and Saturday mornings for the big stuff, but don't stress about checking daily - you'll just drive yourself crazy like the rest of us have! š
This is super helpful! I'm new to all this transcript checking madness and was starting to think I was doing something wrong. Good to know there's actually some method to the IRS's madness even if it feels totally random. Definitely going to try the Thursday/Saturday morning approach instead of my current "check every 2 hours" strategy š
Been there, done that. My ex claimed our kid 2 yrs ago even tho kid lived w/ me 100% of the time. Tbh the IRS process is slower than molasses. Paper filed in Feb, didn't get resolution til Sept. Had to send bank stmts, school records, med docs, etc. The system is frustrating AF. One thing nobody mentioned - if you have a custody agreement that specifically addresses who claims the child for taxes, bring that too. If you don't have one, might be worth getting one to prevent this from happening again. My ex tried the same thing the next yr but I was ready w/ the court order that said it was my year to claim our kid.
I'm going through this exact same situation right now with my 2023 return. Filed electronically in January and got the dependent SSN rejection. My ex claimed our daughter even though she's lived with me since our divorce was finalized in 2022. I followed the advice here and filed a paper return in February with all the documentation - school enrollment records showing my address, pediatrician records, daycare receipts, even grocery receipts to show I'm the one buying her food and clothes. Sent it certified mail and got confirmation the IRS received it on March 1st. Still waiting for any word back from them though. The uncertainty is killing me because I really need that refund - single parenting is expensive! Has anyone here gotten any updates on their timeline recently? I'm wondering if the processing times are longer this year due to backlogs. Also wondering if I should call them to check status or just wait it out. Don't want to bug them unnecessarily but also don't want my case to fall through the cracks somehow.
Has anyone noticed that sometimes QuickBooks does this wrong?? When I first started payroll last year, QuickBooks automatically filled in Line 1 with my employee count even though none were employed during the pay period that included March 12. I had to manually correct it.
This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar boat as Brooklyn - just started my business in February and hired my first employee on March 20th. I was panicking when I saw the March 12 date on Line 1 and thought I'd somehow messed up my quarterly filing. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that the March 12 date is just a statistical snapshot and doesn't affect the actual tax calculations. It's reassuring to know that having 0 employees on Line 1 but wages reported elsewhere is completely normal for businesses like ours that hired after that census date. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - especially the confirmation that this won't trigger any red flags with the IRS. As a new business owner, every tax form feels like walking through a minefield, so having this community to learn from is invaluable!
I completely agree! This thread has been a lifesaver for understanding the Form 941 confusion. I'm also a new business owner who started in late March and was totally baffled by the March 12 reference on Line 1. It's such a relief to know this is a common issue and that the IRS expects to see situations where Line 1 shows zero employees but other lines have wage data. The explanation about it being purely statistical makes so much sense now. I was worried I'd need to wait until Q2 to file my first 941, but now I understand I need to file for Q1 since I actually paid wages during that quarter. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real-world experiences - it makes navigating these tax requirements as a newcomer so much less intimidating!
I made a similar mistake on my 1120S last year and just want to add - don't forget about your state filings! If your state requires an S-Corp return, you'll likely need to amend those too. In my case, I had to file amended returns with both the IRS and my state tax department. Also, double-check your basis calculations after making these corrections. The shift from salary to distributions affects your basis differently, and having an accurate basis calculation is crucial if you ever need to take losses in the future.
Good point about the state filings. Do most tax software programs handle the amended state returns automatically if you're amending the federal, or is that typically a separate process?
Just went through a similar S-Corp amendment nightmare myself! A few additional thoughts based on my experience: When you file the amended 1120S, make sure to check the "Amended Return" box at the top and attach Form 1120X if your software generates one (some do, some don't). The explanation statement should be concise but clear - I used something like "Correcting officer compensation from $41,000 to actual amount paid of $36,000" for each line item. One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed log of all the corrections I made and why. This came in handy when I got a letter from the IRS asking for clarification a few months later. Having everything documented made responding much easier. Also, since you're correcting both salary down and distributions up significantly, be prepared to explain the business reasons if asked. The IRS sometimes questions when they see compensation decreases paired with distribution increases, even in amendment situations. The good news is that being proactive about corrections usually works in your favor with the IRS. They appreciate taxpayers who catch and fix their own mistakes rather than waiting for an audit to discover them.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious about the IRS letter you mentioned receiving - how long after filing your amendment did that come, and was it just a routine request for clarification or did it seem like they were suspicious about the changes? I'm trying to get a sense of what to expect timeline-wise after I submit my corrected return.
Nia Harris
This is actually a really good sign! When your transcript goes from showing normal information to this "Information Not Available" message specifically mentioning adjustments, it usually means the IRS is actively working on your account in the final stages. I've seen this pattern countless times - the system basically locks down your account info while they're making the final calculations and preparing to issue your refund. The fact that it's showing at 10:34 and specifically mentions adjustment processing is textbook pre-846 behavior. Keep checking Friday mornings since that's when transcript updates typically post. You're probably looking at getting your DDD (Direct Deposit Date) within the next week or two!
0 coins
Sean Kelly
ā¢This is exactly what I needed to hear! š I was starting to panic when I saw the message change, but knowing this is actually progress makes me feel so much better. I'll definitely be checking Friday morning - fingers crossed for that 846 code! Thanks for breaking it down so clearly.
0 coins
Edwards Hugo
I went through the exact same thing last month! My transcript showed that same "Information Not Available" message for about 5 days, and then BAM - 846 code appeared with my DDD. The key thing is that it specifically mentions "adjustment" processing, which is different from regular processing delays. When the IRS locks down your account info like this, they're usually in the final stages of calculating your refund amount. The timing at 10:34 is also pretty typical for when these updates happen. I'd say you're definitely on the right track - just keep checking those Friday morning updates. The wait is torture but this is actually one of the better signs you can get! š¤
0 coins
Dominic Green
ā¢That's so reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing! š The waiting really is torture, especially when you see that message change and don't know if it's good or bad. 5 days doesn't sound too terrible - I'm definitely going to be glued to my phone Friday morning checking for updates. Thanks for sharing your experience, it gives me hope that I'm actually close to the finish line! š
0 coins