3 Quick question - how much of the Child Tax Credit can you actually claim with an ITIN? I thought there were limitations for non-citizens?

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact process last year with my two kids on an H1B visa! You can definitely apply for ITINs and claim your children as dependents on the same tax return. Here are a few key tips from my experience: 1. Make sure you're using the most current W-7 form - the IRS updates it periodically and they'll reject outdated versions 2. For the supporting documents, certified copies from the issuing agency work just as well as originals and are much safer to mail 3. When filling out your 1040, write "ITIN Applied For" in the SSN field for each child 4. Processing typically takes 7-11 weeks, but you can still e-file your return while the ITIN applications are pending The Child Tax Credit alone made this worth doing immediately rather than waiting until next year. For two kids, you're looking at potentially $4,000-$6,000 in tax benefits depending on your income level. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - if you have any issues or questions after submitting, calling the IRS directly can be nearly impossible. Consider keeping documentation of everything you submit and maybe look into services that can help you get through to an actual IRS agent if needed. Good luck with your first tax filing as a US resident!

I'm in a very similar situation - my refund was also mailed 3/15 according to my transcript and switched from direct deposit to paper check (also showing code 971). Haven't received it yet either, which has me concerned since I need it for upcoming medical expenses too. Based on what others are sharing here, it sounds like we're still within the normal timeframe, but it's definitely nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money. I'm going to wait until early April before taking any action, but thanks for posting this - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this timing issue right now.

I'm also waiting on a 3/15 mailed check with code 971 - same exact situation as you and several others here. It's reassuring to see I'm not alone in this timing. Based on what Carmen shared about their 3/8 check taking 18 days, we're probably looking at receiving ours around April 2nd-5th. The medical expense planning aspect makes the wait especially stressful, but it sounds like we're still well within normal parameters. I've been checking my mailbox obsessively too! Will update when mine arrives to help others track the timing.

I went through this exact same process last year and completely understand your frustration! I was also randomly selected for ID verification despite having no changes to my return whatsoever. After completing the online verification, it took exactly 4 weeks for my refund to arrive. The hardest part was the complete lack of communication - the "Where's My Refund" tool was basically useless and just kept saying "processing" until the day before my money actually hit my account. My best advice is to check your tax transcript regularly (weekly) rather than relying on the WMR tool, as it's much more accurate about what's actually happening with your case. Look for codes like 570 (additional account action pending) which means they're working on it, followed hopefully by 571 (resolved) and then 846 (refund issued). The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're counting on that money, but try to hang in there! Most people I know got their refunds within 3-6 weeks post-verification, so you're hopefully getting close. The inconsistency in processing times is maddening, but at least you completed the verification right away which puts you ahead of the game.

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Filed in early April, got flagged for ID verification in May (literally nothing changed from last year - same job, same everything), and I'm now at 8 weeks post-verification with still no refund. The inconsistency is absolutely maddening - I've seen people get their money in 10 days while others wait months for the exact same process. I finally broke down and used one of those services mentioned here to actually get through to an IRS agent, and they told me my verification was complete but there was some kind of secondary review happening that they couldn't give me a timeline for. The "Where's My Refund" tool has been stuck on "processing" this entire time, completely useless. I've been checking my transcript religiously and have seen the 570 code for weeks now but no 571 yet. Really hoping something breaks loose soon because I desperately need this money for some major expenses that I've been putting off. This whole system feels designed to frustrate people into giving up on their refunds.

I had the exact same thing happen with my transcripts last year. Filed on January 22nd, star appeared on January 26th, and full transcript was available on February 3rd. My refund came exactly 5 days after the transcript appeared. Do you have any complicated deductions as a contractor? Home office? Vehicle expenses? Those can sometimes trigger additional review that extends the timeline.

Thanks for sharing your timeline, Luca! As someone who's been through this process multiple times as a contractor, the star is definitely a good sign that your return is moving through the system. Based on your filing date of January 21st, you're right on track - most contractor returns with Schedule C take 2-3 weeks from filing to transcript availability. The star typically appears 3-7 days after filing, so you're in the normal window. One thing I've learned is to check your transcript early in the morning (around 6 AM EST) since that's when the IRS usually updates their systems. Given that you filed just over two weeks ago, I'd expect your full transcript to populate within the next 5-7 days if there are no issues. Keep an eye on both your transcript AND Where's My Refund - sometimes one updates before the other!

I had the same issue and TurboTax customer service gave me the wrong advice! They told me to file with my new married name, which caused my return to get rejected twice. Is there a specific tax software that handles name changes better than others?

I went through this exact situation last year! The key thing to remember is that your name change with SSA isn't official until you receive your new Social Security card - just submitting the application online doesn't update their systems immediately. You should definitely refile your return using your maiden name (whatever name is currently on your Social Security card). Since your return was rejected, this won't count as an amended return - you're just correcting the initial filing. Don't worry about the deadline - you have time to get this sorted out. The important thing is to use the name that matches what's in the Social Security Administration's current records. Once your name change is processed and you get your new card, future tax years will use your married name automatically. I know it's frustrating being in this limbo period, but it's actually a pretty common issue for newlyweds. Just stick with your maiden name for this year's taxes and you should be good to go!