As someone who's played the "refresh WMR until your finger falls off" game many times (I should probably seek therapy for this), I can confirm it updates daily - but that doesn't mean YOUR status will change daily. It's like checking the mailbox every hour won't make a package arrive faster! The system batches updates, which is why people notice patterns. The transcript is actually more reliable, though it sometimes speaks in a language only tax professionals and ancient wizards understand.

I've been dealing with this same frustration! Filed on March 8th and have been checking obsessively. From my experience this year and talking to my CPA, the WMR tool does technically update daily around 6 AM EST, but the actual processing happens in weekly batches at different IRS centers. So while the system refreshes daily, your individual status might only change when your batch gets processed. I noticed mine finally moved from "received" to "approved" on a Thursday morning, which seems to align with what others are saying about end-of-week processing cycles. For moving expenses, you might also want to check if you qualify for any deductible moving costs on your return - every little bit helps when you're starting post-graduation life!

As someone who's been through this process multiple times as a non-US citizen, I completely understand the anxiety! The key thing to remember is that international returns often trigger additional security reviews, which can add 2-4 weeks to processing time. I've found that checking your account transcript (accessible through IRS.gov) gives you much more detailed information than WMR. Look for transaction codes - they'll show you exactly where your return is in the pipeline. Also, if you claimed any foreign tax credits or have foreign income, that almost guarantees manual review, so patience is really your best friend here. The good news is that once it starts moving, it usually completes quickly!

@Omar Fawaz I totally feel your pain on the constant checking! As someone who went through this exact same anxiety last year, I can share what I learned. The WMR system typically updates overnight between Tuesday-Saturday around 3-6 AM Eastern, but here's the catch - it doesn't update every single day even within that window. I found that checking first thing Wednesday and Saturday mornings gave me the most reliable information without driving myself crazy. For international filers like us, there's often an additional 1-2 week delay for manual review, especially if you have any foreign income or tax credits. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was setting up an IRS online account to check my transcript - it shows way more detail about what's actually happening behind the scenes while WMR just sits there saying "processing." Hang in there, it will update eventually!

Does anyone else's WMR still say processing? Filed 2/1 and nothing has changed smh

pro tip: check your transcript instead of WMR. WMR is always behind

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation with my growing Instagram account and had no idea about the tax implications. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm definitely going to start tracking all PR packages I receive with their retail values. Quick question though - for those who've been through audits or dealt with the IRS on this, how detailed do the records need to be? Should I be taking photos of everything I receive, keeping the original packaging, or is just a spreadsheet with dates and estimated values enough? I want to make sure I'm documenting everything properly from the start. Also, does anyone know if there's a minimum threshold? Like if a brand sends me a $5 lip balm, do I really need to report that too or is there some kind of de minimis rule for small items?

This is exactly the kind of confusion that trips up so many new influencers! The key thing to understand is that the IRS looks at the intent behind why you received the items, not whether there's a formal agreement. Even those "hope you enjoy" packages are sent because you have influence and a following - that's why they found you in the first place. I'd recommend starting a simple spreadsheet right now to track everything: date received, brand, products, retail value. Don't stress about small items under $25, but definitely track anything substantial. The $300 beauty box you mentioned absolutely needs to be reported as miscellaneous income. One helpful tip: if you do end up featuring any of these products in your content later, you may be able to deduct them as business expenses, which can offset some of the tax burden. But you'll need good records to support both the income reporting and any potential deductions. Better to be safe and report everything than deal with an audit later - the penalties and interest can be brutal!

Anyone know if there's a difference in how this tax code works in Scotland? I'm moving to Edinburgh next month but my job contract mentions 1242L.

This is really helpful - I'm in a similar situation as the original poster! I just want to add that it's worth checking if your employer offers any salary sacrifice schemes (like cycle to work, pension contributions, or childcare vouchers) as these can actually reduce your taxable income and potentially save you money. With the 1242L code, any salary sacrifice contributions get deducted before tax is calculated, which means you pay less income tax and National Insurance. For example, if you sacrifice £100 per month for pension contributions, that's £100 less of your salary that gets taxed. It's definitely worth asking HR about these options when you start your new job, as they can make a real difference to your take-home pay beyond just understanding your tax code.