Pro tip: sign up for informed delivery with USPS so you know when its coming

Just went through this last year - can confirm it's always a paper check for 1040X refunds. The IRS systems don't link your amended return to your original direct deposit info for security reasons. Since you mentioned it's a big amount, definitely set up that USPS Informed Delivery like Axel suggested. Also keep checking "Where's My Amended Return" on the IRS website for status updates. The wait is painful but hang in there!

Pro tip: In the future, NEVER have your fees taken out of your refund! Always pay upfront with a credit card. When you choose to have fees deducted from your refund, your money goes through a third-party bank that charges additional fees and creates opportunities for "errors" like this. If you pay the tax prep fee directly, your refund comes straight from the IRS to your bank account with no middleman.

This is exactly why I switched to filing directly through the IRS Free File program last year. No middleman, no hidden fees, and your refund goes straight from the IRS to your bank account. I was tired of these tax prep companies finding creative ways to skim extra money. For your situation, definitely get your IRS transcript and document everything. The transcript will show exactly what the IRS sent and when. If there's a discrepancy between what they sent and what you received, you have TurboTax dead to rights. Don't let them drag this out - escalate immediately and threaten to file complaints with the CFPB and your state's attorney general if they don't resolve it within a week. These companies count on people not checking their math or giving up when they encounter resistance. Stay persistent!

I completely understand your frustration - waiting for money you desperately need while getting vague status updates is incredibly stressful! Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like there are several potential causes for this delay. Since you mentioned medical expenses due by month-end, I'd recommend taking a multi-pronged approach: 1) Call your bank's ACH or fraud department specifically (not general customer service) to ask if they've received or rejected any government deposits, 2) Check your tax transcript at irs.gov for any codes that might explain the delay, and 3) If possible, verify that your legal name on your tax return exactly matches your bank account registration. Many people have reported that even small discrepancies (like middle initial differences) can cause deposits to get stuck in verification limbo for days. Given your time constraint, it might also be worth exploring the callback services mentioned here if you need to speak with the IRS directly. Hoping this resolves quickly for you!

I went through this exact same nightmare two years ago! My refund showed as deposited on a Friday but didn't appear until the following Wednesday - turned out my credit union had an internal policy of manually reviewing any government deposits over $5,000 for fraud prevention, but they don't show these reviews as "pending" in your account. The most frustrating part was that their regular customer service had no visibility into this process - I had to specifically ask to speak with their ACH processing department to find out what was happening. Once I knew it was just under review and not lost, the anxiety decreased significantly. In your case with medical expenses due soon, I'd definitely recommend calling your bank's ACH department first thing Monday morning and asking specifically about government deposit reviews. If they say there's nothing, then pull your transcript to check for any IRS codes that might explain the delay. The waiting is awful when you need the money, but in most cases it does eventually appear!

Has anyone else had issues with their county assessor's office properly calculating the basis when you sell land? When I sold my property last year, they used the wrong initial purchase date which would have HUGELY increased my cap gains if I hadn't caught it!!!

One thing to keep in mind that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you've made any improvements to the land while you owned it, make sure you keep all those receipts! Things like clearing, grading, installing utilities, surveys, soil tests, environmental assessments, etc. can all be added to your cost basis and reduce your taxable gain. Also, don't forget about the costs associated with selling the property itself - real estate commissions, legal fees, title insurance, and other closing costs can typically be deducted from your gain as well. These can add up to several thousand dollars and make a meaningful difference in your final tax bill. Since this is your first time selling investment property, I'd strongly recommend consulting with a tax professional who can review your specific situation. The rules can get complex, especially if you've owned the land through different tax years or if there are any state-specific considerations where your land is located.

Has anyone used those mail forwarding services where they'll scan your mail and email it to you? I'm wondering if that might be a solution for getting the actual W-2s digitally without waiting for international mail. My job has me traveling constantly so physical mail is always a problem for tax season.

I'm a tax preparer and wanted to chime in with some official guidance on your situation. Unfortunately, printed photos of W-2s are NOT acceptable for paper filing - the IRS specifically requires the original documents with their security features intact. Your best options are: 1. Have your parents mail the original W-2s to you in Thailand via express/registered mail 2. Complete Form 4852 (Substitute W-2) for ALL your W-2 forms using the photo information 3. Have your parents mail your completed return with original W-2s attached directly from the US If you go the Form 4852 route, attach a statement explaining why you're using substitute forms and include any documentation you have (like the photos). The IRS will likely contact your employers to verify the information. For international mailing, NEVER use regular mail for tax returns. Use Thailand Post's EMS or registered mail with full tracking. Make copies of everything before sending and get a receipt with tracking number. One important note: if you're a US citizen working abroad, make sure you're also considering the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555) if applicable - it could significantly reduce your tax liability.