Thanks for the info about First Century Bank! Does anyone know if they have the same deposit limits as Santa Barbara TPG did? I remember there being some cap on how much you could get early but can't remember the exact amount.

Just wanted to add that I called TurboTax customer service yesterday and they confirmed First Century Bank is handling all the refund advances and early deposits for 2025. The rep also mentioned that if you're doing the 5-day early deposit, you don't need to do anything special - it's automatic once your return is accepted. But definitely double-check your bank info in your profile before filing!

According to the latest IRS processing data, returns filed on March 15, 2024 should be in the 21-30 day processing window right now. The current backlog shows approximately 4.3 million returns in various stages of processing. Returns claiming certain credits (EITC, ACTC, etc.) typically take 6-8 weeks rather than the standard 21 days. If you check your tax transcript online, look specifically for codes 570 (refund hold) or 971 (notice issued), as these would explain the delay and status change from one bar to none.

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation right now! Filed on March 12th and my bars disappeared about 10 days ago. What's really helped me is checking my account transcript online at irs.gov - you can see processing codes that aren't shown on the basic "Where's My Refund" tool. Mine shows a 971 code which means they issued a notice (still waiting for it in the mail). The transcript gives you much more detailed info about what's actually happening with your return than the vague "still processing" message. Also, I've found that calling right when they open at 7 AM seems to have shorter wait times, though it's still usually 20-30 minutes on hold.

Has anyone used the "reasonable basis" approach for this? My CPA told me that we could just use a reasonable method to allocate dividends for the fiscal year and document our methodology, without needing to get special reports.

I'm currently dealing with a similar situation for my grandfather's estate that has a fiscal year ending in August. One thing that's been helpful is creating a detailed spreadsheet tracking each dividend payment by month, security, and estimated classification based on the prior year's 1099-DIV percentages. For mutual funds specifically, I found that many fund companies publish monthly or quarterly tax estimates on their websites that can help bridge the gap until you get the official 1099s. Vanguard, Fidelity, and others often have detailed tax information available in their fund profiles. Also worth noting - if the estate has significant dividend income, consider making estimated tax payments quarterly to avoid underpayment penalties. The IRS doesn't care that you're waiting for complete documentation; they still expect timely payments based on reasonable estimates.

I went through this same anxiety last year! Based on my experience, transcripts typically show up around the 2-3 week mark for e-filed returns. What helped me was checking specifically on Friday afternoons since that's when the IRS tends to update their systems in batches. Also, don't worry if your Account Transcript appears before your Return Transcript - that's completely normal and they usually show up 1-2 days apart. The waiting is definitely frustrating but try not to check more than once a week to save your sanity! Your return will process, just takes time during busy season.

I totally get the anticipation! I went through this exact same thing last month. Filed on January 15th and my transcripts showed up exactly 18 days later on a Friday morning. The key thing I learned is that the IRS processes returns in waves, not continuously, which is why some people see theirs in 10 days while others wait the full 3-4 weeks. Since you e-filed, you're definitely in the faster category compared to paper filers. My advice: check once a week on Friday afternoons and try to forget about it the rest of the time. The constant checking really does drive you crazy and won't make it appear any faster! Your return will show up, just hang in there 🙂

I'm dealing with something similar right now! My PTIN application has been stuck in "additional verification" for about 3 weeks, and it's so frustrating watching everyone else get approved instantly. One thing I discovered that might help - when you call the PTIN helpdesk, try calling right at 8:00 AM ET when they open. I had better luck getting through early in the morning versus later in the day when the lines are jammed. Also, I learned that you can actually fax your expedite request directly to the PTIN office at 855-215-6822. Sometimes faxed requests get processed faster than phone calls because they create a paper trail. Make sure to include your application number, explain the employment situation, and request expedited processing due to time-sensitive employment needs. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you know your career opportunity is hanging in the balance. But from what I've read in this thread, it sounds like most people do get resolved much faster than the initial 6-week estimate once they start making the right calls. Hang in there!

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! The "random" additional verification is so frustrating when you're watching everyone else sail through the process. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the PTIN helpdesk (877-613-7846) at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday morning and got through on the first try. The key phrase that seemed to get their attention was "employment-related hardship due to PTIN delay." I explained that I couldn't start my position without the PTIN and asked if there was any way to expedite based on employment necessity. The agent was actually really helpful once I got through to a real person. She looked up my application and found that one of my documents had been flagged for "illegible text" even though it looked fine to me. She was able to accept a new upload over the phone while I stayed on the line, and my PTIN was approved within 48 hours after that call. Also, make sure you're logging into your PTIN account online every day - sometimes the status changes there before you get any email notification. Don't give up! The 6-week timeline is worst-case scenario, and most employment-related expedite requests get resolved much faster once you get to the right person.