I've been tracking cycle codes for the past five tax seasons. In 2020, I was cycle 01. In 2021-2022, I switched to cycle 05. Last year and this year, I'm back on cycle 02. Based on my experience and IRS processing patterns, cycle codes are assigned based on processing center workload and return complexity. Weekly cycles typically process refunds faster than daily cycles. If you've had 03 in the past, check your transcript on Thursdays, but don't be surprised if it's different this year. The IRS redistributes workload annually based on staffing and processing center capacity.

As someone who's been through this cycle code confusion myself, I can relate! I was also an 03 for several years before switching to 01 last year. The timing you're experiencing isn't unusual - many returns are still processing at this point in the season. One thing I've learned is that cycle codes aren't just about processing speed, they're really about workload management at the IRS. Even if you get the same cycle code as previous years, the actual timing can vary based on how busy that particular processing center is. Since you mentioned no updates yet, I'd suggest checking your transcript weekly rather than daily (saves you some stress!). If you're normally an 03, Thursday would be your typical update day, but like others have mentioned, don't be surprised if they've moved you to a different cycle this year. The IRS seems to shuffle people around more frequently now to balance their processing loads.

bruh idk y everyone trippin about cycles when the whole system broken af. been waiting 18 months for my 2022 refund 🤮

Cycle 05 here too! Just want to add that even though we update on Thursdays, sometimes the IRS skips weeks during heavy processing periods. Don't panic if your transcript doesn't update one Thursday - it'll catch up the following week. The waiting game is brutal but at least we're all in it together 😭

Has anyone used QuickBooks Self-Employed for tracking expenses with multiple gig apps? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the monthly fee compared to just using a spreadsheet.

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I've been doing gig work with multiple apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub) for about 3 years now. One thing that really helped me was opening a separate checking account just for my gig work income and expenses. I have all my 1099 payments deposited there, and I use that account's debit card for any business expenses like gas, car washes, phone accessories, etc. It makes record-keeping so much easier when tax time comes around, and if you ever get audited, having that clear separation between personal and business expenses is invaluable. Also, don't stress too much about the taxes owed - yes, you'll pay more than a W-2 employee because of self-employment tax, but with proper deductions (especially that mileage!), it's usually not as bad as people think. Just make sure to start setting aside money for next year's quarterly payments now that you know about them!

Ugh this is so frustrating! I'm in the exact same situation - filed with EIC but no PATH message anywhere on WMR. Been refreshing that thing like crazy thinking maybe I missed something 😅 At least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this weirdness. Sounds like the IRS just isn't being consistent with showing the PATH messages this year which is super confusing for everyone

This is such a common issue this year! I went through the exact same thing - filed with EIC, kept checking WMR obsessively, and no PATH message showed up anywhere. Turns out the IRS is just being super inconsistent with displaying those messages in 2025. Even without the message, if you claimed EIC you're definitely still under PATH Act restrictions. I ended up using taxr.ai to get a clear breakdown of my transcript and it was honestly a lifesaver - showed me exactly what codes were on there and when I could realistically expect my refund. Way less stressful than constantly refreshing WMR and wondering what's going on!

One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you have kids, be super careful about who claims them when filing separately. My ex and I filed separately last year while still married and we messed this up. Only one of you can claim each dependent, and there are rules about who gets to claim them. Also, filing separately means you lose some big tax benefits like education credits, child care credits, and earned income credit. Make sure you run the numbers both ways before deciding!

Great question! I went through this exact situation two years ago when my spouse and I decided to file separately. Here are the key things I learned: For mortgage interest, you can split it based on actual ownership and payment responsibility. If you're both on the mortgage and deed, you can divide it proportionally to what each person actually paid - so yes, a 70/30 split is totally allowed if that reflects your actual contributions. Just make sure you keep good records showing who paid what in case the IRS asks. State income taxes work similarly - each spouse deducts what they individually paid. If you made estimated payments from separate accounts, each person claims their own payments. If payments came from joint accounts, you'll need to figure out what portion was for each person's tax liability. One important thing to remember: if one spouse itemizes deductions (which you'd need to do to claim mortgage interest), the other spouse MUST also itemize, even if the standard deduction would be better for them. This "all or nothing" rule for married filing separately can sometimes make it less beneficial overall. I'd recommend running the numbers both ways (joint vs separate) using tax software to see which actually saves you more money after considering all the limitations that come with filing separately.