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I work for a tax preparation service and see this issue frequently with VA state refunds, especially during peak filing season. What many people don't realize is that Virginia uses a third-party vendor for printing and mailing refund checks, which can add additional delays beyond the "issued" date shown in their system. The 6+ week timeline you're experiencing is unfortunately becoming more common this year - we've had at least a dozen clients report similar delays. Here's what I recommend: 1) Call VA Tax at 804-367-8031 first thing Monday morning (they're less busy early in the week), 2) Have your SSN and exact refund amount ready, 3) Ask specifically about "delivery confirmation" status, not just issuance status, and 4) Request they initiate both a payment trace AND a stop payment on the original check simultaneously. Don't let them tell you to wait longer - 6+ weeks is well beyond reasonable delivery timeframes. Also, consider requesting the replacement be sent via certified mail for an additional $3.50 fee - it's worth it for the tracking and security.
This is really helpful information, especially about the third-party vendor for printing and mailing! I had no idea that could cause additional delays beyond what shows in VA's system. As someone new to Virginia taxes (just moved here last year), I was expecting the same timeline I experienced with other states. The tip about calling early Monday morning is great - I've been trying to call mid-week when they're probably swamped. I'm definitely going to ask about that certified mail option for the replacement check. An extra $3.50 is nothing compared to the stress of wondering if a second check will also disappear into the mail system. Thanks for the professional insight!
I had the exact same issue with my VA state refund last year! Check was "issued" on February 3rd, and I didn't receive it until April 8th - that's over 9 weeks. Turns out it was a combination of issues: the original check got lost in the mail (likely stolen from my apartment complex's mailbox area), and then VA's replacement process took forever because they had to verify the original wasn't cashed. What finally worked for me was being persistent with their phone line and documenting everything. I called every few days after the 6-week mark and kept detailed notes of who I spoke with and what they told me. Eventually got connected with a supervisor who expedited the replacement check process. One thing that might help - if you have any neighbors who received VA refunds around the same timeframe, ask them about their experience. In my case, two other people in my building also had VA checks go missing around the same time, which helped establish a pattern of mail theft that made VA more willing to fast-track the replacement. Don't give up! It's frustrating but you will eventually get your money. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these situations.
@Omar Fawaz This is exactly the kind of systematic approach I needed to hear about! The documentation tip is brilliant - I ve'been calling sporadically but not keeping detailed records of what each representative told me. Your experience with the neighbor situation is really eye-opening too. I m'going to check with people in my building to see if anyone else has had similar issues with mail delivery lately. The 9-week timeline you experienced is honestly terrifying, but knowing that persistence and escalation to a supervisor eventually worked gives me hope. Thanks for sharing the detailed breakdown of what actually worked - this is way more actionable advice than just call "and wait.
One thing nobody mentioned - if you use tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, they usually have an option to prepare an amended return that'll fill out the 1040X for you based on your changes. Much easier than trying to do it manually, especially since the 1040X form is honestly pretty confusing. Just go into your account, look for the option to amend, and it'll let you make the changes and will recalculate everything automatically. Some of them even support e-filing the 1040X now.
I tried doing this with TurboTax last year and it was still super confusing. It kept asking me to enter information I'd already entered in my original return. Do any of these programs make it truly simple?
@Yara Nassar - You've gotten great advice here! Just to add one more tip from my experience: when you file your 1040X, make sure to keep a copy of everything for your records, including the 1099-NEC you're attaching. Also, don't panic about the $3,200 - while you'll owe additional tax on that income, it's not going to be a huge amount. Depending on your tax bracket, you're probably looking at owing somewhere between $300-800 in additional tax plus a small amount of interest since your original filing date. The key thing is you're fixing it proactively, which shows good faith to the IRS. I made a similar mistake a few years back (forgot about some freelance income) and the whole process was much less stressful than I expected once I actually got the 1040X filed.
This is really reassuring to hear from someone who's been through the same situation! I was honestly freaking out thinking I was going to owe thousands in penalties or something. The $300-800 range for additional tax sounds much more manageable than what I was imagining in my head. Quick question - when you filed your amendment, did you also have to pay estimated taxes for the current year since you had unreported self-employment income? I'm wondering if the IRS will expect me to start making quarterly payments now that they know about my side gig income.
I'm a bit confused about something... how did this tax preparer even have the ability to change your bank account info without you noticing? Didn't you have to sign the return before it was submitted? Did you receive a copy of what was actually filed? This seems super sketchy and I wonder if there might be more going on.
This happens way more often than people realize! I used to work at a tax prep office (not one of the big chains). Some preparers would have clients sign incomplete returns or even blank signature pages, then fill in different numbers later. Or they'd show clients one version on screen but electronically file a different version. It's totally fraud and they can lose their PTIN or even face criminal charges, but it happens all the time.
This is an extremely serious situation that requires immediate action on multiple fronts. You're dealing with tax preparer fraud, identity theft, and potentially wire fraud - all federal crimes. Here's what you need to do TODAY: 1. File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) online immediately - don't wait for mail processing 2. Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 to report the fraudulent preparer 3. File a complaint with your state's licensing board if the preparer is licensed 4. Contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) since this involves electronic banking fraud For the immediate refund issue, try calling the IRS Practitioner Priority Service at 866-860-4259 and explain this is an emergency involving fraud. Sometimes they can expedite fraud cases. Document everything - save all communications with the preparer, copies of what you signed vs. what was filed, and any evidence of the unauthorized bank account change. Also consider contacting a tax attorney who specializes in fraud cases. Many offer free consultations and can help navigate both the IRS process and potential criminal proceedings against the preparer. Time is critical here - the more documentation and official reports you file today, the better chance you have of stopping or recovering those funds.
I'm really surprised nobody mentioned uninsured motorist property damage coverage! This isn't tax advice, but for future reference: Even with liability-only insurance, you can often add UMPD coverage for like $5/month. Would have covered hit and run damage up to your policy limits. Too late for OP now, but good info for anyone else reading this thread.
Man I wish I had known about this before. My insurance agent never mentioned this as an option when I was trying to save money by dropping full coverage. Definitely adding this to any future policies.
Not available in all states though. I tried to get this in Michigan and was told our no-fault system doesn't offer it. Worth checking but don't assume it's universally available.
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Ravi. Unfortunately, the other commenters are correct - personal casualty losses from accidents like hit and runs are no longer deductible on federal taxes unless they're from federally declared disasters. However, I'd encourage you to explore a couple of options: 1. **Business use**: If you used the vehicle for any legitimate business purposes (delivery work, real estate, consulting, etc.), you may be able to deduct the business portion of the loss. You'll need documentation of business mileage vs. personal use. 2. **State taxes**: Some states still allow casualty/theft deductions even when federal doesn't. Check your state's tax laws or consult a local tax professional. 3. **Legal recovery**: Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney about pursuing the hit-and-run driver if they were ever identified, or exploring other legal options for recovery. For future reference, uninsured motorist property damage coverage is usually very affordable and would have helped in this situation. I know that doesn't help now, but it's worth considering for your next vehicle. The tax laws really changed dramatically with the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and unfortunately not in favor of situations like yours.
Isabella Silva
As someone who's filed dual status returns for 3 years now, my biggest advice is to make sure you keep track of your "residency starting date" documentation. The date you became a US resident for tax purposes might not be the exact date you physically arrived in the US. For example, if you pass the substantial presence test later in the year, that becomes important. I recommend keeping copies of your I-94, visa approval, first US paycheck, utility bills, lease, etc., in case you ever get questioned about your residency start date.
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Ryder Ross
Great point about documentation! I learned this the hard way when the IRS questioned my residency start date during an audit. They wanted to see proof of when I actually established US tax residency versus when I first entered the country. One thing to add - if you're on an H-1B or similar work visa like Connor, your residency start date is typically the later of: (1) your first day of US employment, or (2) when you meet the substantial presence test. Since Connor started working in May 2024, that's likely his residency start date, making January-April his nonresident period and May-December his resident period. Also, don't forget about Form 8843 if you were a student or had any exempt days during your nonresident period. And if you have any foreign bank accounts with more than $10,000 total at any point during the year, you'll need to file FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) regardless of your dual status situation. The filing requirements for foreign accounts apply to US tax residents, so once you became a resident in May, all your worldwide accounts became reportable.
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Lilly Curtis
ā¢This is incredibly helpful information! I had no idea about the FBAR requirement - I do have bank accounts in Canada that definitely exceeded $10,000 during the year. When you say "once you became a resident in May, all your worldwide accounts became reportable" - does that mean I need to report the highest balance my Canadian accounts reached at ANY point during 2024, even if some of that was before I became a US resident? And is there a penalty for not knowing about this requirement? I'm starting to realize there are way more forms and requirements than I initially thought!
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