As a newcomer here, I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences! I'm in a similar situation to the original poster - filed for the first time this year and feeling completely overwhelmed by all the different ways to check my refund status. Reading through these responses, it sounds like getting set up with transcript access is definitely worth the hassle, even though the ID.me verification process sounds intimidating. Can someone clarify - if I'm checking my transcript and see that code 846 with a date, is that the date the IRS actually sends the money, or when they approve it for sending? I want to make sure I understand the timeline correctly so I can plan accordingly. Thanks for being so helpful to us newbies!

Just want to echo what others have said about the transcript being a game-changer! I was skeptical at first too, but after going through the ID.me setup (which yes, was annoying but only took about 2 days for me), the level of detail is incredible. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're checking your transcript on mobile, the formatting can be pretty rough. I'd recommend using a computer/laptop if possible because trying to read those transaction codes on a phone screen made my eyes cross! Also, for anyone worried about the weekly Friday updates being too slow - I found that even though WMR updates daily, it would show the same "still processing" message for weeks while my transcript was actually showing progression with different codes appearing. The transcript really does give you the full picture of what's happening behind the scenes at the IRS.

I'm in a similar situation right now - got my trace number about 3 weeks ago and checking my bank account obsessively! 😅 Reading through all these experiences is really helpful. It sounds like the 6-8 week timeframe is pretty standard, though some people get lucky with faster processing. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone had experience with traces during tax season specifically? I'm worried that being in peak filing season might slow things down even more than the typical timeline. My refund is for $2,800 and I really need it for some unexpected medical bills, so the uncertainty is killing me. Also, @Sofia Peña, your tip about keeping the trace reference number is gold! I definitely wrote that down after reading your post. Did you notice any pattern in what the agents told you during those check-in calls, or was it pretty much the same "still processing" response each time?

I've been through the trace process twice in the past three years, and I can share some insights that might help ease your anxiety while you wait. The first time took about 6 weeks for a direct deposit refund of $1,850, and the second time took 8 weeks for a paper check replacement worth $3,200. A few things I learned that might be helpful: 1. The trace timeline can vary based on the complexity of your case. If it's just a missing direct deposit, it's usually faster than cases involving lost checks or address changes. 2. Keep calling periodically (I'd suggest every 3-4 weeks, not every 2 weeks to avoid burning yourself out). Sometimes agents can see progress notes that indicate movement even when there's no final resolution yet. 3. If you're really concerned about planning your finances, consider that the 6-8 week timeframe they quote is usually from when the trace was INITIATED, not when you received the trace number. So if there was any delay between those two events, factor that in. 4. In my experience, once the trace is complete, the actual refund deposit/check issuance happens pretty quickly - within a week or so. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, but having that trace number really does mean you're in the system and they're working on it. Try to avoid checking your bank account multiple times a day if possible - it just adds to the stress! Good luck!

I'm a PATH Act filer too and have been anxiously checking my transcript daily! From my experience last year, the transcript usually updates first, but I've heard of a few cases where people got their deposit a day or so before the 846 code showed up. It's definitely not the norm though. If you're checking WMR (Where's My Refund), that sometimes updates faster than the transcript system. Also worth noting that if you're banking with a credit union or smaller bank, they might process deposits differently than the big banks. Have you tried calling the IRS taxpayer advocate line? Sometimes they can give you more specific info about where your return stands in the queue, especially if you're past the normal processing timeframes.

I've been a PATH Act filer for the past few years, and while it's technically possible to get your refund before the 846 code shows up, it's pretty rare. The transcript system and the actual disbursement system do occasionally get out of sync, but we're usually talking about a matter of hours, not days. What I've noticed is that PATH Act returns tend to process in waves - typically Wednesday nights and Friday nights are when you'll see the big batches of 846 codes appear. If you're not seeing movement today, I'd check again Friday morning and then Monday morning. The good news is that once PATH restrictions lift (which happened February 15th), the processing has been much more consistent this year compared to previous seasons. Are you seeing any other transaction codes on your transcript like 570 (additional account action pending) or 971 (notice issued)? Those can give you clues about where you are in the process. Also, keep checking Where's My Refund tool - sometimes it updates before the transcript does.

I had this same issue! The form where you list dependents (Form 1040) doesn't limit how many dependents you can claim. You just list them all in Part I of the dependent section. One thing though - are you sure you want to claim them? By claiming them as dependents, you might be messing up their ability to get certain tax credits or benefits that they'd qualify for otherwise. Have you checked if this could affect their situation negatively?

Great question! I went through this exact situation with my parents two years ago and can confirm you CAN claim both parents as dependents even though they're married and filed jointly. The key things to verify: 1. Each parent individually meets the gross income test (under $5,100 for 2025) 2. You provided more than 50% of their total support 3. They lived with you for the full year 4. They only filed their joint return to get a refund of withheld taxes From what you've described, it sounds like you meet all the criteria. The Social Security income likely won't count toward the gross income limit since it's typically not taxable at their income level. One tip: create a simple spreadsheet tracking all the support you provide (housing costs, utilities, food, medical, etc.) versus any support they provide themselves. This documentation will be invaluable if you're ever questioned about the dependency claims. Also, double-check that claiming them won't disqualify them from any credits or benefits they might be eligible for independently - sometimes the family saves more money overall by not claiming the dependents if they qualify for certain credits on their own return.

One thing to watch out for - make sure your tax software is actually calculating everything correctly after you manually add the income. I had a similar situation with code 23 income, and TurboTax allowed me to enter it but didn't properly account for it in the final calculations. H&R Block's online version handled it better for me. But regardless of which software you use, I recommend double-checking the final numbers by hand. The 1040-NR is unfortunately not as well supported by most tax software as the regular 1040.

As someone who recently went through this exact situation, I can confirm that the software is handling this correctly. Income code 23 on your 1042-S does need to be manually added to your gross income since it represents taxable moving expense reimbursements. A few additional tips from my experience: 1. Make sure you're using the 2023 version of Schedule 1 when reporting this income 2. Keep detailed records of what the $4,100 covered (moving truck, temporary lodging, etc.) in case the IRS has questions later 3. Double-check that your software is properly linking the $1,230 withholding to this income - some programs don't make this connection automatically Also worth noting: if you're from a country with a tax treaty, you might be able to reduce the tax on this income. Many treaties have provisions for employment-related reimbursements that could save you money. The 30% withholding might have been more than necessary depending on your home country's treaty with the US. Good luck with your filing! The 1040-NR can be tricky but you're on the right track.