Has anyone noticed that TurboTax seems especially glitchy with child tax credits this year? I've had similar issues where it zeroed out my credits, then they reappeared when I went back and re-entered the exact same information!

I'm glad you were able to resolve this issue! Your experience highlights a really important point about tax software - sometimes the smallest input errors can have huge impacts on your return. For future reference, one thing that might help others avoid this is to always do a final review of the "Review Your Return" or summary section before filing. Most tax software will show you a breakdown of all your credits and deductions there, which makes it easier to spot when something looks wrong (like $0 child tax credits when you clearly have qualifying children). Also, if anyone else runs into similar issues, try using the "Forms Mode" or "Detailed View" in your tax software if available. Sometimes the interview-style questions can lead to these kinds of dropdown errors, but looking at the actual tax forms can make it clearer what information is being entered where. Thanks for sharing your solution - I'm sure this will help other parents who encounter the same problem!

For anyone waiting on verification codes: • Average mail delivery time: 5-10 business days • Verification completion time: ~15 minutes online • Post-verification processing: typically 5-14 days • Most common hold codes: TC 570/971 combination • Fastest resolution: Online verification (vs. phone) • CRITICAL: If no code arrives within 14 days, call IRS immediately! • Need code TODAY? Call early (7am EST) for shortest wait times Running out of time and patience? Most successful verification calls happen Monday-Wednesday before 9am EST!

I'm currently going through this same process! Filed on February 28th and got the dreaded "verify your identity" notice on March 5th. Still waiting for my 14-digit code to arrive in the mail - it's been 6 business days so far. The uncertainty is really stressing me out because I have some unexpected car repairs that came up and was really counting on this refund. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like most people are getting their codes within that 5-10 day window, so I'm trying to stay patient. @QuantumLeap thanks for sharing that timeline breakdown - it's helpful to know what to expect after verification is complete! Has anyone tried calling the IRS to ask about the status of their verification code being mailed? Or is that just a waste of time since they probably can't tell you anything anyway? 😕

Does anyone know if renouncing US citizenship is worth it tax-wise? I'm considering it after dealing with all this compliance hassle for years.

I'm also dealing with dual citizenship tax issues and wanted to add a few points that might help you, Chloe! First, don't let your parents pressure you into renouncing - that's a huge decision with permanent consequences. The tax compliance burden is manageable once you understand the system. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: start keeping detailed records NOW of all your Australian tax payments and income sources. You'll need these for your US Foreign Tax Credit calculations. Also, make sure you understand the "bona fide residence test" vs the "physical presence test" for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - as someone who's lived in Australia since childhood, you'll likely qualify under the bona fide residence test. Also be aware that if you ever receive Australian government benefits (like youth allowance, Austudy, etc.), these might need to be reported on your US return even though they're not taxable in Australia. The complexity is real, but thousands of dual citizens manage this successfully every year. Consider it an investment in keeping your options open for the future. You're smart to research this now at 18 rather than discovering these requirements later!

Have you called the Treasury Offset Program directly? Sometimes they have more info than the state does. Their number is 800-304-3107. You'll need your ex's SSN and your case number.

I went through this exact same situation in Massachusetts last year! The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're counting on that money. Here's what I learned from my experience: The 4-8 week timeline is pretty accurate, but it can stretch longer during tax season. Mine took about 7 weeks total. What really helped me was keeping a log of every call I made and who I spoke with - it made follow-up calls way more productive. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that you should ask the MA DOR for the "offset notification letter" - this shows the exact amount that was sent from the federal government and when. If there's a discrepancy between what you expect and what you receive, this letter is crucial. Also, if you haven't already, make sure your address is current with both the IRS and MA DOR. I've seen cases where payments get delayed because they're sent to old addresses. The waiting sucks but hang in there - the money will come through!

The IRS systems are so ancient they probably running on windows 95 still lololol

Just went through the same thing! My cycle code switched from 04 to 03 about 10 days ago and I was panicking too. But honestly, from what I've learned lurking in these forums, it's usually a good sign that your return is moving through the system. The 03 cycle processes on Wednesdays vs Thursday for 04. I ended up using that taxr.ai tool everyone's been mentioning and it really helped calm my nerves - gave me a clear breakdown of what was happening with my specific situation. Hang in there, the waiting is the worst part but movement is generally positive! 🤞