I'm in the exact same situation! Filed in early March, got my verification notice around the same time as you in April, and now it's been 7 weeks with no letter. The frustrating part is that "Where's My Refund" just keeps saying the same thing - "still being processed." I've tried calling the 800-830-5084 number twice but couldn't get through after waiting over an hour each time. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it seems like 8-10 weeks is unfortunately becoming the new normal for these letters. I'm definitely going to try the ID.me verification route that Dylan mentioned - seems like our best bet for getting this resolved without waiting indefinitely for a letter that might never show up. Really hoping we can get this sorted soon because I'm counting on that refund money too!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the waiting is absolutely maddening when you need that money! Based on everyone's experiences here, it really seems like the IRS has completely fallen behind on their stated timeframes. Six weeks is way too long, but unfortunately you're not alone. I'd strongly recommend trying the ID.me verification route that Dylan mentioned - it could save you weeks of additional waiting. Also, if you do decide to call, try the early morning strategy that Isabella suggested (7am EST right when they open). One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - you might also want to check if your local Taxpayer Assistance Center is open for in-person appointments. Sometimes they can help with identity verification issues on the spot. You can find locations on the IRS website. It's worth a shot if the online verification doesn't work out. Hang in there - based on what others have shared, once you do get through the verification process, the refund typically comes pretty quickly after that. The hardest part is just getting past this initial hurdle!

Does anyone know if there are advantages to having a fiscal year end in the middle of the year vs. using the calendar year for an S-Corp? I'm just starting my business and trying to decide which would be better.

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this discussion! I'm in a very similar situation with my S-Corp and was completely lost about the fiscal year filing requirements. The consensus here is crystal clear - for a fiscal year that runs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, you use the 2022 Form 1120-S because that's when the fiscal year began. This makes so much more sense now that everyone has explained it. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about requesting Form 4506-T to verify my fiscal year election is properly on file with the IRS. It's such a smart step to take before filing to avoid any surprises or complications later. The mention of taxr.ai and Claimyr as resources is also really helpful - I've been struggling to get clear answers from my current accountant who's always swamped, so having alternative ways to get reliable guidance could be a game-changer. This thread really shows the value of this community - getting practical advice from people who've actually been through these situations is so much more helpful than trying to parse through dense IRS publications alone. Thanks again everyone!

Just wanted to jump in with something no one's mentioned - make sure you're tracking everything in the RIGHT tax year!! I made the mistake of filing startup expenses from December 2023 on my 2024 return and got a letter from the IRS. You have to claim expenses in the tax year you actually paid them, even if your business hasn't launched yet. You can go back and amend prior year returns if needed.

Great question! I went through this exact same situation when I was starting my freelance graphic design business. You absolutely CAN file a Schedule C even without income yet, but there are some important things to keep in mind. The key distinction is between "startup costs" and "business expenses." True startup costs (before your business is actually operational) can only be deducted once your business begins - up to $5,000 in the first year, with the remainder amortized over 15 years. However, if you're already actively conducting business activities (even without revenue), those can be current year deductions. Since you mentioned spending on equipment, software, and courses, document WHY each expense was necessary for your business and WHEN you plan to launch. The IRS looks for genuine intent to make a profit, not just tax benefits. Keep a business journal showing your planning activities, market research, and steps toward launch. One tip: consider whether waiting until you actually start generating income might be simpler for your first year. You could still claim those startup costs retroactively once you begin operations. But if you're confident in your business plan and timeline, filing now is totally legitimate - just be prepared to show you're serious about this as a business, not a hobby.

Just a warning - I had this same issue last year, ignored it thinking it was just a system glitch, and ended up with a massive headache. Turned out there was a typo in my SSN on my return (my fault) that caused the WMR error. The return was "accepted" because that just means the file format was valid, not that all the information was correct. I'd suggest getting a transcript if possible - if you can access that, your info is correct. If not, there might actually be an issue. I lost 6 weeks thinking it was just a system problem before I finally called and sorted it out. Just sharing so you don't make my mistake!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed on February 25th, got acceptance confirmation the next day, but WMR has been giving me the "information incorrect" error for over two weeks. I was starting to panic thinking something was wrong with my return. Reading all these responses is actually really reassuring - it sounds like this is way more common than I thought. I've been triple-checking my SSN, filing status, and refund amount ($2,891) but keep getting the same error. I think I'll try accessing my tax transcript like several people suggested instead of obsessing over WMR. It's good to know that the acceptance confirmation is what really matters and that these systems don't always sync up properly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - definitely helps ease the anxiety!

I'm going through this exact scenario in Guam! My CPA here says not to worry - if the IRS ever questions why you haven't filed US returns, they'd send a notice first asking for an explanation before jumping to audit. At that point, you'd just respond with copies of your territorial tax returns and proof of bona fide residency. The $75k threshold is there because the IRS doesn't want to process thousands of forms from people they're not too concerned about. The only people I know who've had issues are those who claimed to be bona fide residents but weren't actually living in the territory full-time or were trying to claim benefits from both systems.

This is really helpful information from everyone! I'm in a similar situation in American Samoa and have been wondering about the same things. One thing I'd add based on my research - even though we're under the $75k threshold, it's worth understanding the "closer connection" test that the IRS uses to determine bona fide residency. They look at factors like where your permanent home is, where your family lives, your business/employment location, driver's license, voter registration, etc. I keep a folder with all this documentation updated annually - copies of my territorial tax returns, lease agreements, utility bills, bank statements showing local address, employment contracts, and even photos of my residence. It might seem like overkill, but if questions ever arise, having a comprehensive record of your life in the territory makes proving bona fide residency much easier. The key insight from Owen Jenkins about the statute of limitations not starting until they have notice is concerning though. Makes me think about whether I should proactively send that letter he mentioned, even years after establishing residency here.