I swear watching these deposits is worse than tracking a package lmaooo refreshing my account every 5 mins

Same boat here! DDD 2/12 with Credit Karma and had fees taken out. Based on what everyone's saying, sounds like we should see it hit tomorrow or Thursday at the latest. The waiting game is brutal though - definitely feels like Christmas morning as a kid 😅

I'm in the exact same situation! Filed on 3/2, accepted 3/3, got my 846 code on 3/5, but still no trace number from SBTPG. I've been checking both their website and app multiple times daily (thanks Gabriel Freeman for that tip - didn't know they could show different info!). Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like we're in the normal range for this year's delays. I'm going to try calling that direct number Debra Bai mentioned (800-901-6663, option 2, then option 4) if I don't see anything by Monday. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this waiting game. Will update if I get any movement on my trace number!

I'm dealing with the same SBTPG delay situation! Filed 2/28, accepted 3/1, got my 846 code on 3/4, and still waiting for that trace number to show up. It's really helpful reading everyone's experiences - sounds like the 3-7 day wait after the 846 code is pretty standard this year. I've been alternating between their website and mobile app like Gabriel suggested, and I'm going to start checking during those specific batch processing times Laura mentioned (6am, 2pm, 10pm ET). The IRS agent I finally reached through their main line confirmed my refund was sent to SBTPG on 3/5, so now it's just the waiting game. Planning to call that compliance department number if nothing shows by early next week. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - it definitely helps with the stress of not knowing what's normal!

Great question! Yes, you can absolutely convert the entire $14,500 from your Traditional IRA to Roth IRA in 2025. There are no annual limits on conversion amounts - only on contributions. Since you mentioned your Traditional IRA contributions are non-deductible (after-tax), you'll have minimal tax consequences. You'll only owe taxes on any earnings that accumulate between contribution and conversion. Given that you're doing this as part of a backdoor Roth strategy with minimal growth, your tax hit should be very small. A few tips from my experience: - Convert soon after contributing to minimize taxable earnings - Keep detailed records and file Form 8606 for each year you make non-deductible contributions - Consider doing the 2025 contribution and conversion early in January to maximize your Roth growth time This is a perfectly legitimate strategy that many people use to get around the Roth IRA income limits. Just make sure you don't have any other Traditional IRA balances (like old 401k rollovers) that could trigger the pro-rata rule and complicate your taxes.

You're absolutely right that there's no limit on conversion amounts! I did exactly what you're describing last year - converted about $13,000 from my Traditional IRA to Roth in one go after making contributions for both 2023 and 2024. One thing I learned the hard way: make sure you understand how your brokerage handles the conversion process. Some require you to call them, others let you do it online. I assumed I could just transfer money between accounts, but it needs to be processed as an official "conversion" for tax reporting purposes. Also, keep really good records of your contribution dates and amounts. When tax time comes, you'll need to report the non-deductible contributions on Form 8606, and having clear documentation makes everything much smoother. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking contribution dates, amounts, and conversion dates - saved me a lot of headaches come April! The backdoor Roth is such a great strategy for high earners who can't contribute directly to Roth IRAs. You're on the right track!

Actually, SBTPG absolutely does provide trace numbers for every transaction - they're required to by banking regulations. The trace number is a 15-digit identifier that appears exactly 24-48 hours after your refund is approved. I was surprised too by how complicated they make this! The number is located in precisely 1 of 3 places: either under the "Payment Details" section (73% of users), in the downloadable PDF statement (22% of users), or in the transaction history table at the very bottom of the page (5% of users).

I had the same issue last month and finally figured it out! The trace number isn't always in the same spot for everyone. Here's what worked for me: 1. Log into your SBTPG account 2. Look for "Transaction History" or "Payment Details" 3. If you see your refund listed, click on it for more details 4. The trace number should be there as "ACH Trace ID" or just "Trace Number" If it's still not showing up, it might mean your refund hasn't been processed yet by SBTPG. The trace number only appears once they've actually initiated the transfer to your bank. Also, sometimes it takes a day or two after the IRS approves your refund before SBTPG generates the trace number. Hope this helps! The whole system could definitely be more user-friendly.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation as a UK freelancer working with US clients and had no idea about the W-8BEN vs W-9 distinction. One thing I'd add for anyone in this situation - make sure you understand the tax treaty between the US and UK. The treaty generally prevents double taxation, meaning you won't pay US tax on your freelance income as long as you're properly documenting your UK tax residency with the W-8BEN form. This is why it's so important to use the correct form rather than the W-9. Also, if you're earning significant income from US clients, it might be worth considering whether you should set up a UK limited company rather than operating as a sole trader. The tax implications can be quite different, and depending on your income level, incorporation might be more tax-efficient. Obviously this adds complexity, but it's something to research or discuss with an accountant if your freelance income is growing substantially. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community really is amazing for navigating these complex tax situations!

@Grace Lee The incorporation decision really depends on your specific circumstances, but as a rough guideline, many accountants suggest considering it when your annual profits are consistently above £50,000-£100,000. Below that threshold, the administrative burden and costs of running a limited company often outweigh the tax savings. The main advantages of incorporation include potentially lower tax rates on retained profits (corporation tax is currently 19% on profits up to £250,000, compared to income tax rates of 20-45%), more flexibility in timing when you take income (through salary vs dividends), and better opportunities for pension contributions. However, you'll have additional responsibilities like filing annual accounts, confirmation statements, and managing PAYE if you pay yourself a salary. At your current stage, I'd recommend tracking your income carefully and perhaps having a conversation with an accountant when you're approaching £30,000-£40,000 annually. They can run the numbers based on your specific situation and help you understand the break-even point for your circumstances. The tax treaty is definitely one of the best parts of the UK-US tax relationship for freelancers! Just make sure you keep good records of your UK tax payments, as you may need to reference them if there are ever any questions about your treaty benefits.