idk why they make this so complicated fr. like why cant they just tell us exactly when were getting paid 🤔

I feel your pain! The "as of" date is basically meaningless for predicting refunds - it's just an accounting date that updates automatically. What you really want to look for is the 846 refund issued code on your transcript. That's the only reliable indicator of when your money is actually coming. I waited 12 weeks last year and that date changed probably 20 times before I finally got the 846 code. Hang in there! 🤞

One thing nobody mentioned - you can actually sometimes get TaxAct cheaper at Costco or even Amazon compared to buying directly from TaxAct's website. I think I saved like $15 last year buying it through Costco. Just make sure you're getting the current tax year!

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses! This is exactly what I needed to know. Sounds like the downloadable TaxAct Deluxe will work perfectly for our situation - being able to do up to 5 federal returns with one purchase means my wife and I can both file without buying separate copies. The state filing fees are something I hadn't considered, but that's still more cost-effective than buying two full software packages. I'm definitely going to check out those retail options too - saving $15 at Costco would be great. And @Finley Garrett, that taxr.ai suggestion is interesting. I might upload our documents first just to double-check that Deluxe will handle everything we need before I purchase. Really appreciate all the real-world experiences shared here. This community is incredibly helpful!

Just a heads up - make sure you've actually lived in the house for at least 2 years out of the 5 years BEFORE the sale date, not just owned it. My cousin thought she qualified but she had rented the house out for 3.5 years of her 5 year ownership and only lived in it for 1.5 years, so she didn't meet the residency test and had to pay capital gains.

Great question! You're definitely in a good position with the capital gains exclusion. Just wanted to add a few practical tips for when you actually sell: 1. Keep detailed records of ALL your improvements - not just the $50K in kitchen/bathroom renovations, but also things like new flooring, HVAC work, roofing, etc. Even smaller improvements can add up. 2. Don't forget about your original closing costs when you bought in 2021. Some of those (like title insurance, attorney fees, recording fees) can be added to your cost basis too. 3. When you sell, your selling expenses (realtor commissions, title fees, transfer taxes, etc.) also reduce your taxable gain, so factor those in. 4. Since you're moving for work, make sure to check if any of your moving expenses are deductible - the rules changed in recent years but there might still be some benefits available. Sounds like you'll likely walk away with most of that profit tax-free! Just make sure to keep all your documentation organized in case you ever need it down the road.

I waited 32 days for my transcript to update this year, compared to only 8 days last year with nearly identical returns. When I called, the agent said they're dealing with a massive backlog compared to previous years. Apparently returns filed in late January are taking longer than those filed in early February in some cases - something about processing centers balancing workloads differently this year.

Filed on February 28th and still waiting for my transcript to update - it's been 8 days so far. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines here! After going through my first divorce filing, I'm definitely more anxious about every step of this process than I used to be. The uncertainty is the worst part. Has anyone noticed if filing status changes (like going from married filing jointly to single) tend to cause any delays in transcript updates?

Pro tip: If you're having trouble reaching the IRS, try contacting your local Taxpayer Advocate Service. They can sometimes help push things through faster.

Just want to add another option that worked for me - you can also try updating your direct deposit info through the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website. It's not always available depending on where your return is in processing, but if the option shows up, it's way easier than calling. I was able to change mine online without having to deal with phone wait times at all. Worth checking before you spend hours on hold!