I had the same problem. I started using taxr.ai and it was amazing - it actually found a weird code on my transcript that explained exactly why my refund was delayed (it was a random ID verification issue). The site explained everything clearly and told me exactly what to do. No more guessing games! Check it out: https://taxr.ai

I'm going through the exact same thing! My CA refund has been stuck at "issued" for 19 days now and I'm losing my mind. Called FTB probably 15 times and either get disconnected or the "high call volume" recording. My bank confirmed no rejected deposits on their end. What's really frustrating is seeing some people get theirs in under a week while others wait a month+ with zero explanation. The inconsistency makes it impossible to know if something's actually wrong or if we just have to wait it out. Going to try some of the suggestions here - the chat option and maybe one of those callback services since the phone system is completely useless. Thanks for posting this, at least now I know I'm not alone in this nightmare!

Has anyone tried faxing a follow-up request instead of calling? I heard the IRS still processes fax requests for business tax matters.

I've been dealing with the exact same issue for my small consulting business! After reading through all these suggestions, I'm definitely going to try calling that Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 first thing tomorrow morning at 7am sharp. The faxing option also sounds promising as a backup plan. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to follow up on something that should be straightforward, but at least there seem to be some viable alternatives to the main line that never picks up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been more helpful than anything I found on the official IRS website!

The community wisdom on 810 codes is pretty consistent - they usually resolve on their own within 2-3 weeks. Most people who call before that time just get told to wait. The IRS is overwhelmed this season with verification checks. While waiting is frustrating, it's usually the fastest path to resolution unless you hit the 21-day mark. Then it's definitely time to call. Make sure to check your mail daily for any notices, and don't ignore anything from the IRS even if your online transcript updates in the meantime.

I'm in a similar situation - filed Feb 15th and have had an 810 code for 12 days now. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring that this is normal, even though it's stressful when you're waiting on the money. I've been checking my transcript obsessively but haven't seen a 971 code yet. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like I should expect to see some movement in the next week or two. The hardest part is not knowing if I need to do anything or just wait it out. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - it really helps to know this is a common experience and not necessarily a sign that something is wrong with my return.

Has anyone considered the gift tax implications here? If the mom is on the loan but the child is paying it, couldn't the IRS consider that a gift from the child to the mother? Especially since the mother is getting the credit benefit of those payments on her credit report?

One additional thing to consider - keep detailed records of not just the bank statements showing you made the payments, but also any documentation of the arrangement with your mom. If you have texts, emails, or any written agreement about who pays what, that could be helpful backup documentation. Also, since you mentioned this is your first year itemizing, make sure you're accounting for the full picture. The mortgage interest deduction only helps if your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction ($14,600 for single filers in 2025). Don't forget you can also itemize state and local taxes (up to $10k), charitable contributions, and potentially other expenses. For $360 in tax savings, it's probably worth claiming if you're already itemizing for other reasons, but if the mortgage interest is your only significant itemized deduction, you might be better off just taking the standard deduction instead.

Another option worth considering is whether your employer's plan allows for loans instead of withdrawals. Most 401k plans let you borrow up to 50% of your balance (maximum $50,000) without any tax consequences as long as you repay the loan according to the terms. This would let you access a chunk of your money without the pro-rata tax headaches, though $120K is beyond the loan limits. You could potentially combine a $50K loan with a smaller withdrawal to reduce the tax impact.

Don't forget to check if your plan allows for in-service rollovers to an IRA! My company's 401k let me roll over my Roth 401k to a Roth IRA while still employed. After the rollover and waiting just 5 days (since I'd already had my Roth IRA for 8 years), I was able to withdraw my contributions penalty-free. The key difference: Roth 401ks use pro-rata calculations for early withdrawals (mixing contributions and earnings), but Roth IRAs let you withdraw contributions first without touching earnings. Saved me from paying penalties on about 40% of what I needed!