PSA: Always keep ur social security card updated folks! learned this the hard way lol

Another thing to check - if you've recently moved, make sure your address matches what the IRS has on file. Sometimes address mismatches can trigger name/SSN verification issues too. You can verify your address with the IRS by calling their automated line at 1-800-829-1040. Also, if you're using tax software, try filing again with your full legal name exactly as it appears on your SS card - character for character, including any punctuation.

Has anyone actually had the IRS reject their return because of a missing W-2? My sister had this happen last year and the IRS just processed her return normally without ever asking for the W-2. They already had the info from her employer.

Don't stress too much about this! I had almost the exact same thing happen to me two years ago - mailed my return and then found my W-2 sitting on my desk a week later. I was convinced I was going to get audited or something. What ended up happening was the IRS processed my return normally and I got my refund about 6 weeks later without them ever asking for the W-2. Turns out they already had all the wage information from my employer electronically, so when they cross-referenced everything, it all matched up. The key thing is that the information you put on your tax return needs to match what your employer reported to the IRS. As long as those numbers are consistent, you'll probably be fine. If there's a discrepancy, that's when they'll send you a notice asking for documentation. I'd recommend just waiting it out rather than proactively sending anything. The IRS gets millions of returns and they have pretty efficient systems for handling these situations. If they need the physical W-2 from you, they'll let you know!

From my experience with SBTPG last week: • Filed through TurboTax on February 1st • IRS approved with DDD of February 21st • SBTPG received funds on February 20th • Money appeared in my bank account February 20th evening • SBTPG website STILL shows "awaiting funds" even though I already have my money Their system is definitely processing refunds, but their tracking portal is completely out of sync with actual status. I'd trust your bank account more than their website.

I can confirm what others are saying about SBTPG's processing timeline. As someone who's been through this process multiple years, here's what I've observed: SBTPG typically receives your refund from the IRS 1-2 days before your official DDD, then processes it within 12-24 hours. The "early deposit" you're seeing isn't actually SBTPG releasing early - it's your receiving bank making funds available as soon as they detect the incoming transfer. Regarding the portal issues, this is unfortunately normal during peak season. SBTPG's website becomes virtually unusable from mid-February through March due to traffic overload. I've had better luck checking very early morning (around 5-6 AM EST) when fewer people are online. My advice: Don't stress about the portal status. If your transcript shows a DDD and TurboTax confirms SBTPG is processing, your refund is likely moving through the system normally. The disconnect between their website status and actual processing is a known issue that happens every tax season. For peace of mind, you might want to contact your bank directly - they can often see pending deposits before they're officially released to your account.

Has anyone dealt with the California Franchise Tax Board in a situation like this? I had a similar issue last year, and while I resolved the federal part, the state side was a whole separate nightmare.

I went through something very similar two years ago when my preparer was caught in a scheme affecting dozens of clients. Here's what I learned that might help: Document EVERYTHING from now on. Create a timeline of your relationship with this preparer - when you started using them, what documents you provided, any red flags you might have missed. This becomes crucial evidence that you were acting in good faith. Contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778) - they have special procedures for victims of preparer fraud. They can sometimes pause collection activities while you sort things out and may expedite your case review. Don't ignore the audit notice deadline, but you can request an extension by calling the number on the notice. Explain your situation - they're usually understanding when there's documented preparer fraud involved. One thing that really helped me was getting a "verification of non-filing" letter from the IRS for the tax year in question, which shows what they have on file versus what was actually submitted. Sometimes fraudulent preparers file completely different returns than what they show you. The good news is that victims of preparer fraud often qualify for penalty relief, and the IRS has gotten better at handling these cases. It's stressful, but you're not automatically liable for everything just because it was filed under your name.

Here's what happens step by step: 1. IRS approves your refund (WMR shows approved) 2. IRS initiates ACH transfer to SBTPG (WMR shows sent) 3. SBTPG receives funds (can take 1-2 business days) 4. SBTPG deducts any fees you owe 5. SBTPG initiates transfer to your bank 6. Your bank processes the deposit (another 1-2 days) The whole process typically takes 2-4 business days from WMR update to money in your account. Banking cutoff times matter too - transfers initiated after 2pm often count as next-day transactions.

I went through this exact same situation just two weeks ago! My WMR updated on a Wednesday showing "sent" but SBTPG portal showed nothing for almost 48 hours. I was getting really worried since I'm still learning how the US tax system works. Turns out it's completely normal - the systems just don't sync in real time. The money actually hit my bank account on Friday morning, even though SBTPG portal didn't update until Friday afternoon. My advice is to check your actual bank account too, not just the SBTPG portal, since sometimes the money arrives before their system updates. The waiting is nerve-wracking but seems to be part of the process here.