I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed my CA return on March 10th and it's been 6.5 weeks now with just the generic "processing" status. My federal refund was deposited within 10 days, so it's definitely a California-specific issue. What's really frustrating is how their website gives zero useful information - just "processing" with no timeline or indication of what's actually happening. After reading through all these comments, it sounds like 6-10 weeks is unfortunately becoming the new normal for CA this year due to their enhanced fraud prevention measures. I'm planning to wait until the 8-week mark before attempting to call, since everyone seems to be having terrible experiences with their phone system. At least it's somewhat comforting to know we're all in the same boat - misery loves company I guess! Definitely going to start checking my mailbox more carefully too after seeing how many people got important notices that never showed up in their online status.

I'm experiencing the exact same issue - filed my CA return on March 5th and it's been over 7 weeks now with nothing but that unhelpful "processing" status. My federal refund came through in 12 days, so this is definitely a California-specific problem. After reading through all these comments, it's clear that CA has major systemic issues this year. The 6-10 week delays seem to be the unfortunate new reality due to their enhanced fraud prevention measures. What's particularly frustrating is how their online system provides zero transparency - just that generic "processing" message with no timeline or explanation. I've been checking my mail religiously after seeing how many people here received important notices that never showed up in their online status. It's concerning that their systems are so disconnected in 2025. Planning to wait until the 8-week mark before attempting to call, though based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like their customer service is pretty much useless anyway. At least we're all suffering together! Hang in there everyone - hopefully our refunds start showing up soon.

moved 3 times in 2 years and the 8822 worked fine each time. just make sure u follow the instructions exactly or theyll reject it

I actually work for a tax prep company and can confirm Form 8822 is usually the fastest route. Pro tip: send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The IRS processes these in the order they receive them, so certified mail with tracking gives you peace of mind. Also make sure to include your SSN and sign it - those are the most common reasons for rejection that cause delays.

3 Does anyone know if donating stuff instead of money makes any difference tax-wise? I have a bunch of clothes and furniture I could donate to Goodwill instead of giving cash to charities.

One thing to consider is using a donor-advised fund (DAF) if you're planning to give regularly. You can contribute a larger lump sum to the DAF in a year when you itemize (like if you have higher medical expenses or other deductions), get the immediate tax deduction, then distribute the funds to your chosen charities over multiple years. For example, you could contribute $3,000-4,000 to a DAF in a year when itemizing makes sense, then recommend grants of $1,300 annually to your preferred charities. This gives you more control over the timing of your tax deduction while still supporting the causes you care about consistently. Many brokerage firms like Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab offer DAFs with low minimum contributions and fees. Just another strategy to consider as your giving grows over time!

I'd recommend attaching Form 433-F (Collection Information Statement) along with your 9465 if you're requesting a payment plan for a larger amount or if you can't afford what would normally be the minimum payment. This form shows your income, expenses, assets, and debts. It's extra paperwork but it helps prove to the IRS what you can actually afford to pay each month and increases your chances of getting approved for lower monthly payments if you're truly in a financial hardship situation.

One thing I wish someone had told me when I filled out my Form 9465 is to double-check your Social Security Number and the tax year you're requesting the installment agreement for. I made a simple typo in my SSN and it delayed my application by weeks while they tried to match it to my account. Also, if you're married filing jointly, make sure you're clear about whether both spouses are requesting the installment agreement or just one of you. This was confusing for me since my spouse and I file jointly but only I was responsible for the additional tax owed. The IRS website has a payment estimator tool that can help you figure out what monthly payment amount to propose, but honestly the explanations here about the 72-month rule and adding buffer for interest are really helpful. Good luck with your application!

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses! This is incredibly helpful. I've been checking sporadically throughout the day but clearly I need to adjust my strategy to those early morning hours. @Ethan Taylor - your documentation is amazing, that level of detail gives me confidence there's actually a predictable pattern here. I'll start checking consistently between 1-3am ET starting tonight. One follow-up question: once the transcript does update, how quickly do you typically see the actual refund hit your bank account? I'm hoping to time some bill payments around the deposit.

I've been tracking this for years and want to add some nuance to the excellent advice already shared. While the 12am-3am ET window is accurate, I've noticed that identity verification cases often follow a slightly different pattern. After verification, your transcript may show what's called a "processing hold" code (usually 570 or 971) before the actual refund information appears. This can add 1-2 additional processing cycles beyond the standard timeframe. Also, pro tip: if you're checking obsessively like most of us do, try using the mobile IRS2Go app in addition to the website - sometimes one updates before the other due to different caching systems. I've seen my app show updates up to 4 hours before the desktop site reflected the same information. The key is patience after verification - it's almost always longer than the standard processing time, but the refund does eventually come through.