Based on my experience this tax season, SBTPG updates seem to follow a loose pattern but aren't entirely predictable. I've been checking multiple times daily and noticed updates most commonly around 6-7am ET and 2-3pm ET on weekdays. However, I've also seen random updates at odd hours like 11pm or 4am. What's really frustrating is that sometimes they'll go 2-3 days without any updates, then suddenly show multiple status changes in one day. I'd recommend checking your IRS transcript (you can get it free from irs.gov) to see if there's movement there that SBTPG hasn't reflected yet. The transcript is usually more current than SBTPG's portal. Also, don't stress too much about the exact timing - once your refund is sent from the IRS, it typically takes 1-3 business days to hit your account regardless of when SBTPG updates their status.

I've been monitoring SBTPG updates for my clients this season and can confirm they typically update 2-3 times daily during business hours, but it's not consistent. From what I've observed, major updates usually happen around 6:00 AM ET, 2:00 PM ET, and sometimes around 8:00 PM ET on weekdays. However, weekends are much quieter - sometimes no updates at all from Friday evening through Monday morning. One thing to keep in mind is that SBTPG often lags behind the actual IRS processing by 24-48 hours, so your refund might already be approved and sent even if their portal shows "processing." I'd recommend checking your IRS transcript directly at irs.gov for the most current status. Also, larger refunds sometimes trigger additional verification steps that can cause delays, but SBTPG doesn't always communicate this clearly in their status updates.

Has anyone compared how much of a difference it makes financially to file rentals on Schedule E vs Schedule C when you qualify as a real estate professional? My CPA has been putting our rentals on C for years but after reading this I'm wondering if we should switch.

This is such a common issue with real estate professionals who also have rental properties! I went through exactly the same thing a few years ago. The key insight that changed everything for me was understanding that being a real estate professional is about HOW your losses are treated, not WHERE they're reported. Your rental properties should definitely be on Schedule E - that's where rental income and expenses belong according to IRS guidelines. The real estate professional election just means those Schedule E losses become "active" rather than "passive," so you can deduct them against your W2 income without the usual passive activity loss limitations. Your realtor commissions, photography business, and crypto mining should each be on separate Schedule C forms since they're active business activities. This separation will help tremendously with lenders because they understand Schedule E depreciation as a non-cash expense, while Schedule C losses can look like actual business operating losses. One tip that really helped me with lenders: ask your CPA to prepare a "lender addendum" that explains the depreciation component of your Schedule E losses and shows your actual cash flow from the rentals. Most loan officers aren't tax experts and don't realize that rental depreciation is just a paper loss. Having this explanation attached to your tax returns can make a huge difference in getting approved. The 750+ hour requirement for real estate professional status applies to ALL your real estate activities combined (rental management, realtor work, etc.), so make sure you're tracking everything properly. Good luck with the refinancing!

Just to add one more perspective - I ran into this exact issue last year and ended up answering "No" on the EIN application regarding Form 720 after confirming my products didn't contain ODCs. I found that most modern furniture and consumer goods use alternative foaming agents that aren't subject to the excise tax. My suppliers were able to provide certification that their products don't use the regulated chemicals. If you're dropshipping common consumer items like household goods or typical furniture, chances are they're using newer, compliant materials. The excise tax mainly applies to specific industrial chemicals and older manufacturing processes.

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was dealing with the same confusion about excise taxes for my dropshipping business. Based on all the advice here, I reached out to my AliExpress suppliers with the specific chemical names mentioned (CFCs, HCFCs, etc.) and was able to get confirmation that their foam products use modern, compliant foaming agents. For anyone still struggling with this, I'd recommend the multi-step approach: first ask suppliers for MSDS sheets or environmental compliance certificates, then if you're still unsure, consider using one of the services mentioned here to get professional clarification. The key insight from this discussion is that most consumer products today DON'T use the old chemicals that trigger excise tax requirements. Thanks especially to Sofia for the specific chemical names to ask about - that made all the difference in getting clear responses from my overseas suppliers!

Has anyone had experience with the Tax Court route? My innocent spouse relief was denied twice (initial application and appeal), so I filed a petition with the Tax Court. Currently waiting for my court date and wondering what to expect.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of dealing with the IRS over something that wasn't your fault is truly overwhelming. Based on what you've shared, you actually have a strong case for appeal. The fact that these were business taxes from your ex's business that were never disclosed during your divorce proceedings is significant. This goes directly to the "knowledge" requirement - you can't be expected to know about tax liabilities that were actively concealed from you, especially during divorce when full financial disclosure is legally required. For your appeal, focus on documenting the concealment. Gather your divorce paperwork showing his financial affidavit didn't include these tax debts, any correspondence where you asked about taxes or finances, and evidence that you were excluded from business operations. Bank statements showing you had no access to business accounts will also strengthen your case. Don't let this denial discourage you. The initial denial rate is high, but many people succeed on appeal when they can clearly demonstrate they were kept in the dark about the tax issues. You mentioned the $27,000 already taken from your refunds - that's substantial enough to justify getting professional help if you can manage it, but you can also pursue the appeal yourself with careful preparation. Stay strong and don't give up. The system is designed to give you a fair review on appeal.

Quick tip - if the amount they're saying you owe is small (like under $100), sometimes it's just easier to pay it even if you think they're wrong. Fighting it might cost more in time and stress than it's worth. I got a similar notice for $73 last year because of a dividend payment I supposedly didn't report. Spent hours trying to find the documentation and eventually just paid it to make the whole thing go away.

I completely understand the anxiety you're feeling - getting that first IRS letter is nerve-wracking! But you're handling this the right way by seeking advice and not ignoring it. A CP2000 is actually one of the less scary IRS notices you can receive. It's an automated matching notice, not an audit. The IRS computer system flagged a discrepancy between what you reported and what third parties (employers, banks, investment companies) reported about your income. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Read the notice completely and identify exactly what income they think you missed 2. Gather all your 2023 tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and compare them to what's listed in the notice 3. If you find the missing income, you can either agree and pay, or if you believe you reported it correctly, provide documentation showing where it appears on your return Don't feel bad about doing your own taxes with TurboTax - millions of people do this successfully. These discrepancies happen even with professional preparers sometimes. The key is responding within 30 days with the right documentation. You've got this! Take it step by step and don't let the official language intimidate you.