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Something similar happened to me - I kept getting a cryptic error about my birthday format even though it was entered correctly. For me, the fix was completely clearing my browser cookies/cache and then using Microsoft Edge instead of Chrome. Sometimes Free Fillable Forms gets "stuck" with bad data in the browser cache. Also make sure you don't have any browser extensions running that might be interfering with the forms. I turned off my password manager and ad blocker while doing my taxes and it seemed to help.
Thanks for the suggestion! I actually tried on both Chrome and Firefox already, but I haven't tried Edge. Did you create a completely new return or were you able to fix the existing one? I'm hesitant to start over since I've already entered so much information.
I had to start completely over unfortunately - trying to fix the existing return just kept triggering the same cached errors. I know it's frustrating to re-enter everything, but it only took me about 30 minutes to rebuild it from scratch and it went through perfectly on the first try. One tip that helped me go faster the second time: I took screenshots of all my completed forms before starting over, so I could just reference them while re-entering the data instead of having to dig through all my paperwork again. Made the whole process much less painful than I expected.
I've been dealing with Free Fillable Forms issues for years as a tax professional, and these XML validation errors are unfortunately very common. The root cause is usually that the system stores your data in multiple hidden fields that don't always sync properly when you make changes. Here's what I recommend trying in order: 1. **Complete browser reset**: Clear ALL browsing data (not just cache), restart your browser, and try a different browser entirely (Edge often works better than Chrome/Firefox for government sites). 2. **Manual entry only**: Don't use copy/paste, autofill, or any browser extensions. Type everything manually, especially numbers and addresses. 3. **Phone number strategy**: Enter your phone number as exactly 10 digits with no spaces, dashes, or parentheses in ALL phone fields at the same time before moving to other sections. 4. **Check hidden characters**: If you copied any information from PDFs or other documents, there might be invisible characters. Retype critical information like SSNs and phone numbers completely from scratch. If none of that works, the issue might be with your prior year AGI verification or another backend validation that's incorrectly flagging as a phone number error. At that point, you'd need to speak with the IRS directly to have them check your account status. The error messages from Free Fillable Forms are notoriously misleading - the actual problem is often completely unrelated to what the error says!
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! SBTPG updated to "funded" around 8am this morning and I've been refreshing my Chase app like it owes me money š From everything I've read here and my own research, the trace number thing is internal - we'll never see it as customers. It's basically just how banks track the transfer on their end. As for timing, it really seems to be a coin flip whether you'll get it today or tomorrow. Chase usually processes ACH transfers pretty quickly, but their same-day cutoff is around 3pm EST. Since it's already past that in most time zones, I'm mentally preparing for tomorrow morning. The waiting game is brutal though, especially when you're relying on gig work income! I've got rent due next week and this refund is literally my lifeline right now. At least knowing that "funded" means the money is actually moving makes me feel a bit better than just staring at "processing" on the IRS site for weeks! Hang in there - based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like we should definitely see something by tomorrow afternoon at the latest! š¤
I'm literally in the EXACT same situation! šāāļø SBTPG showed funded around 7:30am this morning and I've been refreshing my bank app so much I'm surprised I haven't worn out my phone screen! š I'm also doing the gig economy hustle (Instacart and DoorDash) and this refund is going straight to my emergency fund that got completely wiped out during the slow winter months. The struggle is SO real! Thanks for explaining about the trace number - I was wondering where I was supposed to see that and was starting to worry something was wrong with my account. It's reassuring to know that's just internal banking stuff we can't access. I'm with a local credit union and they told me their ACH processing happens overnight, so I'm definitely not expecting anything today. But reading everyone's experiences here is making me feel way less anxious about the whole process. At least we know the money is actually moving now instead of just sitting in IRS limbo! Here's hoping we all wake up to some good news tomorrow morning! The tax refund waiting game is honestly worse than waiting for Christmas as a kid š
Same exact situation here! SBTPG showed "funded" around 9am this morning and I've been checking my bank account obsessively ever since. š The gig life really makes tax season feel like winning the lottery! From what I've gathered from everyone's experiences, the trace number is definitely just internal banking stuff we can't see. And honestly, it sounds like timing is all over the place - some people get it same day, others wait 24-48 hours after the "funded" status. I'm with Bank of America and their ACH cutoff is usually around 4pm EST, so there's still a slim chance for today, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. The anxiety of waiting when you're counting on that money for bills and car repairs is no joke! At least knowing that "funded" means the IRS has actually sent the money to SBTPG makes me feel better than just seeing "processing" for weeks. We're in the home stretch now! Based on everyone's timelines here, tomorrow morning seems like the most realistic expectation. Hang in there fellow gig worker - we've made it this far! ššŖ
Ugh, yes! The gig worker tax refund anxiety is so real! š I'm also refreshing my account constantly - SBTPG showed funded around 11am and I've probably checked my bank app 50 times already today. It's like having a gambling addiction but for your own money! I'm with a smaller regional bank and they told me their ACH processing happens in batches at 2pm and 6pm EST, so I'm still holding onto a tiny shred of hope for today. But honestly, reading through everyone's experiences here has been way more helpful than any official FAQ page. At least we know we're not alone in this waiting game! The worst part is trying to decide whether to make plans or spend money when you know that refund SHOULD hit any moment. Like, do I grocery shop today or wait until tomorrow morning? First world problems, but when you're living paycheck to paycheck (or gig to gig), every dollar counts! Thanks for sharing your timeline - makes me feel less crazy for obsessing over this! š¤
To all those having trouble reaching a human at IRS. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c
Hey Troy! I went through something similar last year. The 811 code basically means they're doing an income verification - they're cross-checking what you reported against W-2s, 1099s, and other third-party documents they have on file. The 420 code is the actual examination/audit code. Having both usually means they found some discrepancies during the automated income matching process and now want to do a more thorough review. In my experience, these combo audits typically take 3-6 months depending on how complex your is. Make sure you have all your income documentation ready - pay stubs, bank statements, receipts for deductions, etc. The good news is most of these resolve without major issues if your paperwork is in order. Hang in there!
Thanks for breaking that down Avery! I'm dealing with the same 811/420 combo and was freaking out thinking it was something major. Good to know it's mostly just them double-checking everything. Did you have to send in additional documents or did they just work with what you originally filed? I've got all my W-2s and 1099s but wasn't sure if I should be proactive about sending stuff in or just wait for them to ask.
@Caden Nguyen I d'recommend waiting for them to request specific documents rather than sending stuff proactively - it can actually slow things down if you send unrequested paperwork. In my case, they sent me a CP75 notice about 6 weeks after the codes appeared, asking for specific income verification docs. Just keep everything organized and ready to go when they do ask. The automated system usually catches most discrepancies during the 811 phase, so if your numbers match up with what employers reported, you should be good to go!
As someone who's been banking with Navy Federal for several years, I can confirm what others have said - they're pretty reliable about releasing tax refunds early! With your DD date of 4/24, you should see it hit your account on 4/22 or 4/23. Since this is your first time filing, here's a pro tip: set up mobile notifications for deposits if you haven't already. That way you'll get alerted as soon as it posts instead of constantly checking the app. Navy Federal has always been good to me with government payments - they understand military families often need that money ASAP. Good luck with your first refund!
@64dcce965a88 This is exactly the kind of reassuring info I needed to hear! I'm definitely going to set up those mobile notifications - that's such a smart tip. It's really comforting to know that Navy Federal understands the urgency around tax refunds, especially for military families. I feel much better about the timing now. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I've been with Navy Federal for about 3 years and can definitely confirm they're reliable with early tax refund deposits! With your DD date of 4/24, you should expect to see it in your account on 4/22 or 4/23. Since you mentioned this is your first time filing, here are a few things that helped me when I was new to this: ⢠Check the "Pending Transactions" section in your NFCU app starting around 4/21 ⢠Refunds typically post between midnight and early morning (around 3-6 AM EST) ⢠Don't panic if it doesn't show exactly 48 hours early - sometimes it's just 24 hours ⢠Make sure your account info matches exactly what you put on your tax return The waiting is always the hardest part, but Navy Federal has been consistently good about getting government payments to members quickly. You should be all set!
Samuel Robinson
I went through this exact same situation last year and I know how terrifying it is to see your return completely vanish from the system! What you're experiencing is unfortunately totally normal after identity verification - the IRS essentially quarantines your return during the verification process. Here's what helped me get through it: First, stop checking your transcript daily (I know, easier said than done). The constant checking just adds to the anxiety and nothing will change for weeks. Second, make sure you're checking your mail religiously - sometimes they send additional requests that can delay things further if missed. The timeline really is around 8-9 weeks from when you verified, not from when you filed. I verified in late February last year and didn't see any movement until mid-April, then boom - everything updated at once and my refund hit my account within days. The hardest part is the complete lack of communication from the IRS during this process. Your return isn't lost, it's just in a completely separate processing queue that doesn't show up on normal transcripts. Hang in there - you'll get through this!
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Owen Jenkins
ā¢This is such great advice! I'm definitely guilty of checking my transcript multiple times a day and it's driving me nuts. The part about checking mail religiously is really important too - I hadn't thought about them potentially sending additional requests. Thanks for sharing your timeline from last year, it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel. The complete silence from the IRS during this process is honestly the worst part - you'd think they could at least send an email saying "hey, your return is in identity verification processing" instead of just making it disappear completely!
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Andrew Pinnock
I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I went through the exact same thing last year and it's absolutely terrifying when your return just vanishes from the system. The "RETURN NOT PRESENT FOR THIS ACCOUNT" message is like a punch to the gut when you're expecting to see your refund information. What everyone here is telling you is 100% correct - this is unfortunately the "normal" process after identity verification. The IRS completely removes your return from their main system during verification, which is why your transcript looks like you never filed. It's a security measure, but they do a terrible job of explaining this to taxpayers. The 9-week timeline is real, but here's what I learned: it's 9 weeks from when you completed verification, not from when you filed. So if you verified last week, you're looking at potentially early May before you see movement. I know that's not what you want to hear, but at least you can set realistic expectations. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts for my bank account so I'd know immediately when the refund hit, rather than obsessively checking transcripts. Also, definitely keep an eye on your mail - they sometimes send additional requests that can reset the clock if you miss them. You're not alone in this, and your return isn't lost. It's just in IRS purgatory for a while. Hang in there!
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