Did you claim any credits like EIC or CTC? Those usually take longer to process

Totally normal! Federal refunds almost always take longer than state - the IRS processes millions more returns than any individual state tax agency. Your California refund timeline is pretty standard (they're usually one of the faster states), but federal can take anywhere from 21 days to 6-8 weeks depending on how busy they are. Since we're right in peak tax season, I'd give it at least another 2-3 weeks before worrying. The lack of detailed tracking from IRS is frustrating but unfortunately typical - they don't provide nearly as much transparency as state systems do.

What finally worked for me after 11 months of waiting was using taxr.ai to identify the exact issue (missing 1099 info) and then using claimyr.com to get through to an IRS agent. The combo of knowing exactly what was wrong and being able to talk to a human solved my problem in less than a week after almost a year of waiting. Don't waste time like I did!

The As Of date changing to June 2025 is definitely a positive sign - it means your account is being actively reviewed again after being stuck for so long. However, the amended return you filed last week could complicate things significantly. When an original return is still processing and you file an amended one, it can create confusion in their system and potentially delay things even further. I'd strongly recommend calling the IRS ASAP to explain that you filed an amended return while the original was still processing. If you can reach an agent quickly (try the callback services people mentioned), they might be able to flag your account or provide guidance on how to proceed. The sooner you address this, the better chance you have of minimizing additional delays. Keep monitoring your transcript for codes like 570 (additional account action pending) or 971 (notice issued) - these will give you clues about what's actually happening behind the scenes. After 13+ months, you definitely deserve answers about why your refund has been held up for so long.

Has anyone considered the option of an intra-family mortgage instead? My brother loaned me $175k to buy my house and we used a service to create a legally binding mortgage with him as the lender. I got a lower rate than the bank offered, he got better returns than his savings account, and everything is properly documented for tax purposes. The advantage is that everything is clearly aboveboard with the IRS since it's structured as a traditional mortgage, just with a family member as the lender. I can even deduct the mortgage interest I pay him, and he reports the interest as income. Might be cleaner than the HELOC arrangement.

One thing to keep in mind is that if your parents take out a HELOC or mortgage in their names but you're making the payments, you'll want to make sure the loan agreement doesn't prohibit this arrangement. Some lenders have clauses about the borrower being the actual user of funds. Also, consider the liability aspect - if something happens and you can't make the payments, your parents are still legally responsible for the debt. This could put their home at risk. You might want to explore getting life insurance or disability insurance to protect them in case you become unable to pay. From a practical standpoint, you'll need to set up a system where you can reliably make the payments directly to the lender or reimburse your parents immediately. Any delays could affect their credit score since they're the official borrowers. Having a separate account dedicated to these payments might help keep everything organized and documented for tax purposes.

Just to add one more thing - don't forget you can deduct half of your self-employment tax on your 1040! A lot of first-time Schedule C filers miss this. It's an adjustment to income, not an itemized deduction, so you get it even if you take the standard deduction. Also, track your mileage if you drive to meet clients or buy supplies. The standard mileage rate for 2024 is 67 cents per mile for business use. That adds up quick!

I was in your exact situation last year! One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you made over $12,000, you might benefit from setting up an S-Corp in the future. I stayed as a sole proprietor for my first two years but once I hit around $40k in profit, my accountant had me switch to save on self-employment taxes. Not worth it at your current income level but something to consider if your side gig grows. The paperwork and extra requirements are a pain though, so don't rush into it.

If you use tax software, all of this is pretty straightforward! I moved from Texas to Minnesota mid-year and used TurboTax. The software asked when I moved and then walked me through everything. Honestly way easier than I expected.

One additional tip since you mentioned the high withholding on your extra shifts and billing payments - keep detailed records of all your work locations and income sources throughout the year. As a physician who moved mid-year, you'll want to track not just which state you earned income in, but also where you were physically working when you earned it. This is especially important for those weekend ER shifts. If you're picking up shifts in different locations or even different states, each location might have different tax implications. Some states tax based on where the work was performed, others based on your residence at the time. Also, since you mentioned patient billing payments, make sure to track any business expenses related to your work (CME, licensing fees, professional memberships, etc.). These can often be deducted, and with your income increase, every deduction becomes more valuable. Keep receipts for everything work-related from both states - some expenses might be deductible in one state but not the other. The good news is that with your income tripling, you're likely in a much better position financially to handle any unexpected tax obligations that might come up!