The IRS is so behind rn its not even funny. My 2022 return took 6 months with those codes

That "no record of processed tax return" letter is actually pretty common when you have those codes on your transcript. The 570/971 codes mean your return WAS received and is being processed, but it's under review which is why it shows as "not processed" in their system. The letter you got is probably automated and doesn't reflect the current status. I'd call that 800 number and reference your transcript codes - they should be able to give you a better picture of what's actually happening with your refund.

This happened to me last week. Filed 2/20, transcript updated 3/1 showing deposit date of 2/28. Got my money on 3/4. Don't worry - the money is coming. The system is just overloaded and the dates get messed up. Your return is approved and that's what matters!

Katherine, I completely understand your frustration! That "time travel" feeling with tax dates is something many of us have experienced. From what I've seen in similar situations, when your transcript shows a deposit date that's already passed but just updated today, it usually means your refund was approved and is now in the disbursement queue. The 2/22 date is likely when the system initially processed your refund, but due to high volume this time of year, there was a delay in actually sending it out. I'd expect to see the money in your account within the next 3-5 business days. Keep checking your bank account (I know it's hard not to!), and if nothing shows up by early next week, then it might be worth calling the IRS. Hang in there - your money is on its way!

Just chiming in to add my experience as someone who didn't file for 5 years (2016-2020) and finally caught up last year. The biggest surprise was that I was actually OWED money for 3 of those 5 years because I had too much withheld from my paychecks! Unfortunately I could only get refunds for 2020 since the others were outside the 3-year window, but I was relieved there were no penalties since I was due refunds. The peace of mind from being caught up is worth it even though I lost out on some refund money. Whether you should file really depends on if you had taxes withheld that were more than what you would have owed. If you were a W-2 employee with normal withholding, there's a decent chance you're owed money rather than owing the IRS.

Gabriel, I can definitely understand your stress about this! From what you've shared, you're actually in a pretty good position since you've gotten current with 2021-2023. Here's my take on your specific situation: Since you're primarily concerned about FAFSA eligibility for January, you should be fine. FAFSA typically uses the "prior-prior year" tax information, so for starting school in January 2025, they'll likely want your 2023 return (which you have filed). However, I'd still lean toward filing those back years (2017-2020) for a few reasons: 1. You mentioned wanting peace of mind - unfiled returns can create anxiety that lingers 2. If you were a W-2 employee during those years, there's a decent chance you're owed refunds (especially for 2020, which you might still be able to claim) 3. It eliminates any future complications if you need tax transcripts for loans, employment background checks, or other purposes Before spending money on a tax preparer though, I'd suggest trying to figure out if you were even required to file for those years. If your income was below the filing threshold for any of those years, you wouldn't need to file at all. You can check the IRS website for historical filing thresholds by year. The fact that your current tax preparer seemed confused suggests he might not specialize in back tax situations - you might want to consult with someone who has more experience with unfiled returns to get a clearer picture of your obligations and potential refunds.

Does anyone know how Vanguard's individual 401k plan compares to others like Fidelity? I've been thinking about setting one up but heard Vanguard's plan is more limited in some ways.

I've been through this exact same confusion with my Solo 401(k) setup! The key thing that helped me understand is that the IRS has different rules for different business structures, and as an S-Corp owner, you're actually in a simpler situation than sole proprietors. Since you're paying yourself a W-2 salary from your S-Corp, your employer contribution limit is straightforward: 25% of your W-2 compensation. The complex calculation with the "OR" statement you found applies to sole proprietors who file Schedule C, because they have to account for self-employment tax deductions. For S-Corp owners like yourself: - Employee contribution: Up to $23,000 for 2024 (or $30,500 if 50+) - Employer contribution: Up to 25% of your W-2 salary - Combined total: Cannot exceed $69,000 for 2024 (or $76,500 with catch-up) If you've been using the 25% of salary method and staying under the combined limits, you've been doing it correctly. The fact that you've been working with Vanguard (a reputable provider) and staying under the maximums is a good sign you're on the right track. That said, if you want absolute peace of mind about previous years, consider having a tax professional review your contributions or contact the IRS directly for confirmation specific to your situation.

Sometimes the IRS mail just gets lost too. The USPS in my area has been terrible lately. I'd proceed as if you're enrolled and take steps to opt out rather than waiting for a letter that might never come.

Check your IRS online account at irs.gov - you can see your CTC enrollment status there without needing the letter. If you're enrolled, there's an "unenroll" or "opt out" option right in the portal. I had the same issue last year where I never got the physical notice but could handle everything online. Just make sure to do it before the deadline mentioned above!