I'm going through this exact same situation right now! SBTPG showed my refund as funded on 2/22/25 with a tracking number, and I've been checking my Cash App every few hours like it's going to magically appear. Reading through these responses is really reassuring - sounds like the 1-3 business day window is pretty standard. I'm definitely going to check my Activity tab in Cash App like Zainab mentioned, since I hadn't thought to look there. Really hoping it shows up by tomorrow since I need to pay some bills. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and timelines!

I've been through this exact process multiple times over the past few years, and the SBTPG to Cash App timeline is pretty predictable once you understand the workflow. Since your funding date is 2/24/25, you're looking at Tuesday 2/25 or Wednesday 2/26 for the deposit to hit your Cash App. The tracking number confirms SBTPG has successfully transmitted the funds via ACH transfer. One thing I learned the hard way - Cash App sometimes processes these deposits overnight, so check first thing in the morning rather than constantly refreshing during business hours. Also, make sure your Cash App notifications are turned on because you'll get an instant alert when it posts. The home improvement projects sound exciting! My husband and I used our refund for kitchen renovations last year and it was totally worth the wait.

I've been lurking on this thread for a while and finally decided to jump in because the experiences shared here are so valuable! As someone who's been doing tax prep for about 2.5 years, I was really torn between EA and CPA until reading all these detailed responses. What really convinced me is the combination of factors everyone's mentioned: the specialized focus on tax work (which is what I love most about my job), the faster timeline to completion, and especially those salary progressions. Seeing multiple people go from the $50-60K range to $80-90K+ within a couple years of getting their EA is exactly the kind of career advancement I'm looking for. I'm particularly intrigued by the networking and referral opportunities that @a72b2d1c1916 mentioned. Moving beyond just return preparation to handling complex representation cases sounds like it would make the work much more engaging and rewarding. Based on everything I've read here, I'm planning to start with the free IRS study materials and aim to complete Part 1 within the next 2 months. The consistent advice to start there given my individual tax background makes perfect sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their journeys - this thread has been more helpful than any career counseling I've received! It's amazing how much real-world insight you can get from people who've actually walked this path.

I've been working in tax prep for about 18 months and this entire thread has been absolutely eye-opening! As someone relatively new to the field, I was feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out the best path for career advancement, but the detailed experiences everyone has shared here have really clarified things for me. What stands out most is how consistently everyone emphasizes that the EA is perfect for tax-focused careers. The salary progressions are impressive - seeing people go from the $50-60K range to $80-90K+ within just a few years of getting their EA shows there's real financial benefit to pursuing this credential. I'm particularly motivated by the timeline discussions. Knowing that it's possible to complete all three parts in 3-6 months while working full-time makes this feel achievable rather than overwhelming. The advice to start with Part 1 (Individual) makes perfect sense given my current experience level. The point about unlimited practice rights across all states is something I hadn't considered but could be huge for future opportunities. And the networking aspects that @a72b2d1c1916 mentioned - getting referrals through EA professional networks - sounds like it could really help build a practice over time. Based on everything I've read here, I'm convinced the EA is the right first step for my career goals. Planning to start with the free IRS study materials and aim to take Part 1 within the next 3 months. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed, real-world experiences - this has been incredibly valuable for someone just starting to map out their career path!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Got my 5071C letter two weeks ago and have been losing sleep over it. Reading everyone's real experiences here is way more helpful than the generic IRS timelines. Quick question for those who've been through this - after you verified online, did you get any confirmation email or notice that it went through successfully? I completed the ID.me process but I'm paranoid I missed something. The website just said "verification complete" but I didn't get any follow-up documentation. Also seeing a lot of mentions about checking transcripts - is there a specific transcript type I should be looking at? I've never accessed mine before but sounds like it's crucial for tracking actual progress vs the useless WMR updates. Really hoping I can get on one of those faster timelines like Ava experienced rather than the horror stories of 12+ weeks!

I'm currently going through this same verification process and found this thread incredibly helpful! Got my 5071C letter last week and verified through ID.me on Monday. The real-world timelines you all shared (17-37 days) are so much more realistic than the generic "9 weeks" the IRS keeps throwing around. For anyone else in this boat - I called the IRS helpline yesterday (used the early morning trick, called right at 7am) and they confirmed that ID.me verifications are processing much faster than phone/mail verifications right now. The agent said they're seeing most online verifications clear within 3-4 weeks. Also wanted to add - if you're a student like the OP, definitely reach out to your school's financial aid office about the delay. Most universities have emergency loan programs or payment deferrals for exactly this situation. Mine gave me a 45-day extension when I explained the IRS verification delay, which takes a lot of pressure off while waiting. Checking my transcript daily now and hoping to see that TC 971 code appear soon. This community is a lifesaver for getting real info instead of the IRS runaround!

I'm sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation on top of everything else that comes with divorce. The timing rules for filing status can feel really unfair, especially when you've been financially supporting someone for most of the year. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you made any direct payments to third parties on behalf of your ex-spouse (like paying her student loan directly to the lender, or medical bills directly to healthcare providers), these might potentially qualify for different tax treatment depending on how they were structured in your divorce agreement. Also, while you can't claim your ex as a dependent, make sure you're not missing any other potential deductions you might be entitled to as a single filer. Sometimes people overlook things like unreimbursed employee expenses, professional development costs, or other itemized deductions that could help offset some of that tax bill. The quarterly estimated payment advice from others here is really crucial for 2025. The IRS safe harbor rule generally requires you to pay 110% of last year's tax liability through withholding and estimated payments to avoid penalties, so calculating what you'll need for next year based on your new filing status will save you from this same shock again. Hang in there - this is definitely manageable with the right plan in place!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - divorce is stressful enough without getting blindsided by unexpected tax consequences. The December 31st rule is definitely one of those harsh realities of tax law that can feel completely unfair when you've been financially responsible for someone most of the year. A few additional thoughts that might help: **Document everything**: Keep detailed records of all the support payments you made during 2024. While they won't help for dependency claims, having this documentation could be valuable if there are any questions about your financial situation during the divorce year, especially if you end up needing to work with the IRS on payment arrangements. **Consider professional help**: Given the complexity of divorce-year taxes and the size of your unexpected bill, it might be worth consulting with a tax professional who specializes in divorce situations. They can review your entire situation to make sure you're not missing any deductions or credits, and help you plan properly for 2025. **Emergency fund for next year**: Once you get through this year's tax situation, consider building a small emergency fund specifically for tax-related surprises. Life changes like marriage, divorce, job changes, or having children can all create unexpected tax implications. The silver lining is that 2025 should be much more predictable now that you know your filing status and can plan accordingly. You've learned an expensive lesson, but you'll be much better prepared going forward!

This is such a comprehensive thread! As someone who just started their EIN application process for a small woodworking business, I'm relieved to learn that the initial industry classification isn't set in stone for tax purposes. I was stressing about whether to pick "manufacturing" vs "retail" since I both make custom furniture and sell pre-made items at farmers markets. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who switched your Schedule C business classification to better reflect your actual activities, did you notice any difference in how the IRS processed your returns or triggered any additional scrutiny? I want to make sure I classify correctly from the start but don't want to overthink it if it really doesn't matter much practically speaking.

As someone who's been running a small laser engraving business for about two years now, I can confirm what others have said about the EIN industry classification being mainly for statistical purposes. I initially selected "retail" when I first got my EIN because I was primarily selling finished products, but when I started doing more custom work and buying raw materials in bulk, my accountant helped me switch to "manufacturing" on my Schedule C. The real game-changer for me was getting organized with expense tracking early on. I wish I'd known about proper inventory management from the start - it would have saved me hours during tax season trying to reconstruct my material costs. For anyone just starting out, I'd recommend setting up a simple system to track your raw material purchases and usage from day one, regardless of which industry classification you choose initially. Also, don't forget about indirect expenses like electricity for running your equipment, storage costs for materials, and even vehicle expenses if you're delivering products to customers or picking up supplies. These can add up to significant deductions that are easy to overlook!