heres wat i learned after 20 years of taxes: Federal = 2-3 weeks. State = 4-12 weeks. thats just how it is man.

I'm also in Colorado and had a similar experience this year! Filed in early April and my federal refund came in about 10 days, but I'm still waiting on my state refund too. It's been about 6 weeks now. From what I've learned, Colorado's Department of Revenue is just really backed up this year. Their processing times have been longer than usual due to staffing issues and some system updates they did over the winter. The 8-week timeframe that Grace mentioned is pretty accurate - I called them last week and they confirmed my return is still within normal processing time. Hang in there, it should come through soon!

I think we've all been through the SBTPG waiting game at some point! From what I've seen in this community over the years, it seems like their system usually updates within about 48 hours of your transcript showing the 846 code, but sometimes it can take a bit longer, especially if your DDD falls around a weekend. I wouldn't worry too much yet - having both WMR and your transcript showing the same DDD is usually a pretty reliable sign that everything is on track! 😊

This is totally normal! I went through the exact same thing last year. SBTPG's system is notoriously slow to update their public-facing tracker, even when they've already received your refund from the IRS. Since you have both WMR and your transcript showing the 846 code for 2/26, your refund is definitely processed and on its way. SBTPG typically updates their system 1-3 days after the IRS releases funds, so I'd expect to see it show up there by 2/24 or 2/25 at the latest. The fact that you got a DDD so quickly is actually awesome - enjoy that fast processing! Your money should hit your account right on schedule even if SBTPG's tracker doesn't update until the last minute.

The IRS transcript system is like a weird fortune-telling machine that only works on specific days of the week depending on your cycle code. For 04 cycle folks, Wednesday is your magic day - it's like the tax version of your horoscope being updated. I've been through this dance for years now, and while everyone focuses on the PATH Act delay ending on Feb 15th, the reality is that the real movement happens the following Wednesday for most PATHERS. Hang in there - the tax rollercoaster is almost over!

Thanks for this thread! I'm also a PATH filer with 04 cycle code and have been anxiously waiting. Based on what everyone's sharing, it sounds like Wednesday morning around 3-6am EST is when I should check my account transcript (not return transcript) for the 846 code. I've been making the mistake of only checking WMR this whole time! Quick question though - if I don't see an update next Wednesday, should I be concerned or is it normal for some 04 cycle filers to take an extra week or two? This whole process is nerve-wracking but you all are making it so much clearer!

What tax software do most online Masters programs teach? I'd hate to spend all that time learning on a platform that isn't widely used in practice.

I completed the University of Alabama's online Masters of Taxation program in 2021, so I can give you some direct insight! The program is excellent and highly regarded in the industry. What really impressed me was the quality of the faculty - many are practicing tax professionals who bring real-world experience to their teaching. The online format actually worked well for tax education because so much of tax work involves research and analysis that you do independently anyway. The coursework included comprehensive coverage of individual, corporate, partnership, and estate taxation, plus tax research methodology that I use daily in my current role. Regarding employer perception - I haven't encountered any issues. When I interviewed at firms, they were more interested in my understanding of complex tax concepts and my ability to research and analyze issues than the delivery method of my education. The University of Alabama name carries weight, and the program is AACSB accredited. One thing I'd recommend is taking advantage of any virtual office hours or study groups the program offers. While you miss some in-person networking, the online format allowed me to connect with classmates from across the country, which has actually been valuable for referrals and professional connections. The investment was definitely worth it for me - it opened doors to senior tax positions that weren't available with just my undergraduate degree.

This is really helpful info everyone! I'm in a similar situation as Nina - had multiple income sources last year including some freelance graphic design work that paid me via 1099s (totaled about $800) plus a regular part-time job that was W-2. From what I'm reading here, since my 1099 income was over $400, I definitely need to file for the self-employment tax even though my total income was pretty low. I had no idea about this distinction before - I was only looking at the regular filing thresholds and thought I might be okay to skip filing this year. One quick question - if I file and discover I owe self-employment tax on that $800, roughly how much should I expect to pay? Trying to budget for this since I didn't set aside money throughout the year (rookie mistake, I know!).

One thing that might help clear up the confusion - the IRS actually has a free interactive tool called "Do I Need to File a Tax Return?" on their website (irs.gov) that walks you through all these different scenarios step by step. You just answer questions about your age, filing status, income types, and amounts, and it tells you definitively whether you need to file. It covers all the situations people mentioned here - the regular income thresholds, the $400 self-employment rule, dependent status, etc. Since you mentioned having both 1099s and cash income from various gigs, you'll want to add up ALL your self-employment income (including the cash payments) when using the tool. Even if individual gigs paid you less than $400, if the total from all self-employment work exceeds $400, you'll need to file. The tool is free, official, and gets updated each tax season with the current year's thresholds, so you know you're getting accurate info straight from the source!