Has anyone tried Credit Karma Tax? I switched to them last year and they're completely free for federal and state. No hidden fees, no refund transfer delays. The IRS direct deposited to my account in 8 days. The interface isn't as nice as TurboTax, but for the price difference, I can deal with it.

This is exactly why I always tell people to avoid the refund transfer option if possible! I've been preparing taxes for family members for years and learned this lesson the hard way. The marketing makes it sound convenient, but what they don't emphasize is that you're essentially adding an extra middleman (the bank) between you and your refund. Michael, I'm sorry you had to deal with this runaround. For future reference, if you can't pay the prep fees upfront, some tax software companies like FreeTaxUSA actually let you file your federal return for free and only charge for state returns. That way you can still get your federal refund directly from the IRS without any third-party delays. Also, for anyone reading this - always check the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website. It will show you exactly when the IRS processed and sent your refund, which gives you ammunition when dealing with these processing banks if there are unexplained delays.

I'm confused about whether the answer to the TurboTax question affects anything in the actual tax forms that get submitted to the IRS. Does answering "yes" to their question about prior disaster distributions actually show up anywhere on your final tax return?

I just went through this exact same scenario with my 2023 taxes! I had a COVID-related disaster distribution in 2020 and used the 3-year spread option. TurboTax kept asking about prior disaster distributions and I was worried I'd mess something up. What helped me was understanding that the question is really just TurboTax trying to figure out if there are any ongoing tax implications from previous distributions. Since you've already completed your 3-year reporting cycle (2020-2022), there's nothing more to report for that specific distribution. I ended up answering "yes" to the question, and TurboTax walked me through a few follow-up questions but ultimately didn't generate any additional forms for 2023. The software is smart enough to recognize when you've completed the reporting requirements. One tip: keep copies of your 2020-2022 returns with the 8915-E and 8915-F forms handy in case you need to reference the amounts you previously reported. It gave me peace of mind to double-check that everything added up correctly across the three years.

u should check ur mail for that CP05 notice from May. Probably explains the hold

Looking at your transcript, that code 291 from November reducing your assessment by $656 is actually a good sign - it means the IRS made an adjustment in your favor. Combined with your $0 balance, it suggests they've finished their review work. The hold might be close to releasing since they've completed the adjustments. I'd expect movement on your refund within the next few weeks, especially since it's been months since the initial CP05 notice. Keep checking your transcript for any new codes!

I work in tax preparation (not an accountant, just admin) and see this issue fairly regularly. One thing nobody has mentioned yet - make sure you get a detailed record of all payments you've already made toward either return. Sometimes when there are duplicate returns, payments get misapplied or aren't properly credited to your account. When you talk to the IRS, specifically ask them to confirm all payments received and how they were applied. I've seen cases where clients paid the correct amount but it was applied to the wrong tax year or wrong submission. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING - both returns, the ITIN rejection, proof of payments, and any correspondence with the IRS. If you send anything by mail, use certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

I think you'll probably be able to get the penalties removed through First Time Penalty Abatement if you haven't had any issues in the past 3 years. The IRS has this program specifically for responsible taxpayers who make an occasional mistake. Just make sure to specifically ask for "First Time Penalty Abatement" when you call or write to them. I'd also recommend checking your wage and income transcript on the IRS website to make sure both returns are showing up correctly in their system. Sometimes when there are duplicate returns, weird things happen with how they record your information.

I completely understand your stress about waiting for mail! As someone who's been through this exact situation, let me reassure you - if you e-filed and selected direct deposit, you most likely won't receive ANY mail from the IRS unless there's an issue with your return. The IRS stopped sending routine acknowledgment letters for e-filed returns back in 2021. Your best bet is to check the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website (it's completely free) rather than obsessively checking your mailbox. I filed around the same time as you last year and got my refund deposited without ever receiving a single piece of mail. The tool will show you exactly where your return is in the process and give you a timeline for when to expect your refund. Save yourself the daily mailbox anxiety - the online tool is way more reliable than waiting for correspondence that probably isn't coming!

I totally get the mailbox-checking anxiety! I went through this same exact situation when I filed in January last year. Here's what I learned: if you e-filed with direct deposit, you're probably not getting any mail at all unless there's a problem. The IRS basically went paperless for routine stuff a few years ago. Instead of driving yourself crazy checking the mailbox, use the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website - it's free and way more accurate than waiting for mail that's probably never coming. I checked mine obsessively every morning until my refund hit my bank account with zero mail correspondence. The tool will tell you if there are any issues or delays, and honestly it's much faster than waiting weeks for a letter. Your January 22nd filing date means you're right in that 21-day processing window, so hopefully you'll see movement on the tool soon!