Check your transcript on the IRS website. Thats the only way to know for sure. H&R Block is just guessing

I'm in the exact same situation! Filed with H&R Block and got the Feb 17 date, but my transcript still shows nothing updated. It's so frustrating when they give you these specific dates but then it's basically meaningless. I've been refreshing both the H&R tracker and WMR tool obsessively 😅 From what I've learned lurking here, those H&R dates are just estimates based on when they think the IRS *should* process things, not when they actually will. The IRS is still catching up from the backlog and some returns are taking way longer than usual. Have you checked your transcript yet? Mine's still blank which tells me the IRS hasn't even started processing mine yet, despite H&R saying tomorrow. Super annoying but at least we're not alone in this!

This thread is so helpful! I just checked my transcript after seeing this post and found code 846 with a date of 03/24/2024. I've been waiting for my refund for almost 8 weeks now, so seeing that code finally appear is such a relief. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should expect the direct deposit within the next few days. I'm with Bank of America - has anyone had experience with how quickly they process IRS refund deposits? I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but after all this waiting, I'm cautiously optimistic that this nightmare is almost over!

Code 846 is definitely the golden ticket! I went through this exact same experience last month - saw the 846 code appear on my transcript with a refund date and was constantly refreshing my bank account waiting for it to show up. Mine hit exactly 2 business days after the date shown, around 3 AM on a Wednesday morning. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you know it's coming, but the IRS is pretty reliable once you see that code. One tip that helped me stay sane: most banks let you set up mobile alerts for deposits over a certain amount, so you don't have to keep checking manually. Just make sure all your banking info matches exactly what you put on your return - any small discrepancy can cause delays or rejections. You're so close to the finish line now!

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone! I'm realizing I need to figure out the GVWR of my truck first since that seems to be a key factor. If it's over 6,000 lbs, it sounds like I might have better options than the 200DB method. @Romeo Quest and @Eve Freeman - those AI tax tools sound interesting, especially for someone like me who's still learning all these rules. I might give that a try since I'm clearly in over my head with all these depreciation methods and limits. One question though - if I do qualify for Section 179, can I still choose to do regular depreciation instead if I want to spread the deduction over multiple years? Sometimes it might make sense to not take such a huge deduction all at once depending on my income situation.

Just wanted to add another important consideration - make sure you're keeping detailed records of your business use percentage if it's truly 100%. The IRS is very strict about vehicle deductions and will want to see a contemporaneous mileage log showing business vs personal use. Even if you think you use it 100% for business, document every trip with dates, destinations, business purposes, and mileage. I learned this the hard way during an audit - they disallowed a big chunk of my vehicle expenses because I couldn't prove the business use percentage with proper documentation. Also, don't forget that if you're taking depreciation, you can't also take the standard mileage deduction - it's one or the other. Since you bought the truck specifically for business and it was expensive, the actual expense method with depreciation is probably better for you, but just wanted to mention it in case you weren't aware of that rule.

Don't forget to look at the tax treaty between the US and your home country! Many treaties have specific provisions for students and teachers on J visas that might affect how you file.

The IRS has a comprehensive database of all US tax treaties on their website at irs.gov. Go to the "International Taxpayers" section and look for "United States Income Tax Treaties - A to Z." Each treaty is available as a PDF download. For J1/J2 visa holders, pay special attention to the "Students and Trainees" articles in your country's treaty - these often provide exemptions for a certain amount of income or number of years. Some treaties also have specific provisions for spouses of students/trainees that could affect how you handle the W4 situation. I'd also recommend looking at IRS Publication 519 "U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens" which explains how tax treaties interact with your visa status and filing requirements.

Great question! As a military family myself, I can confirm you absolutely can file separately with a joint mortgage. The key is documenting who actually paid the mortgage interest. Since you're both on the loan, you'll split the 1098 interest based on actual payments made. If paying from a joint account, it's typically 50/50 unless you can prove otherwise with bank records. For military families, MFS can make sense in several scenarios: different state residency situations during PCS moves, combat pay exclusions, income-based student loan repayments, or when one spouse has significant miscellaneous deductions. However, remember both spouses must choose the same deduction method (both standard or both itemize). I'd strongly recommend calculating both MFJ and MFS scenarios before deciding. Military-specific tax software like FreeTaxUSA Military or TurboTax Military can help you compare both filing statuses easily. Also consider consulting with a tax professional who understands military tax situations - many bases offer free tax prep services that are familiar with these complexities.

Military tax preparer here! Just wanted to add a few important points that might help with your decision: 1. **Documentation is key** - Keep copies of your mortgage statements, 1098 forms, and bank records showing who made payments. The IRS generally accepts 50/50 splits from joint accounts unless there's evidence of different contribution amounts. 2. **Military-specific considerations** - Beyond combat pay exclusions, consider if either spouse has unreimbursed military expenses that could be deducted (though these are more limited post-2017 tax reform). Also, if you're stationed in different states or have moved mid-year, state tax implications can make MFS advantageous. 3. **Timing matters** - Since you mentioned you're military, don't forget about automatic extensions if you're deployed. You have until 180 days after leaving a combat zone to file. 4. **Professional help** - Most military bases offer free tax preparation through VITA programs with volunteers trained on military tax issues. They can run both MFJ and MFS scenarios for free and help you choose the best option. The mortgage interest split is actually one of the easier parts - it's the state residency and combat pay issues that usually trip up military families filing separately. Good luck with your return!