For anyone just starting with an LLC, I highly recommend getting a tax professional specifically experienced with small businesses to help you setup. I tried DIYing my LLC taxes for the first year and missed so many deductions. Spent $450 on an accountant the second year who saved me over $6,000 in taxes with proper planning and restructuring. Some things shouldn't be learned through trial and error.

Just want to echo what Jason said about getting professional help - the tax implications of mixing different income streams through an LLC can get complex quickly. One thing I learned the hard way is that you'll also want to make sure you're making quarterly estimated tax payments since you won't have taxes withheld from your 1099 income. The IRS expects you to pay as you go, and if you wait until year-end to pay everything, you could face underpayment penalties even if you file on time. With Door Dash income being irregular, it can be tricky to estimate, but it's better to overpay slightly than get hit with penalties. You can always adjust your next quarter's payment if needed. Also consider opening a separate savings account just for tax money - set aside about 25-30% of your 1099 income immediately so you're not scrambling to find the money when quarterly payments are due.

I think what's happening is like when you order a package online - sometimes the tracking never updates but the package still arrives. TPG is like the tracking system that's broken, but your money is still moving through the system. I'd give it until tomorrow morning before getting too worried. Almost everyone I've seen posting with similar dates has gotten their refund within 48 hours of TPG showing 'funded' even without emails or trace numbers.

Filed 2/26 here too and going through the exact same thing! TPG has shown "funded" since Tuesday but still no TurboTax email or trace number. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm feeling much more confident that the money is probably already on its way. It's reassuring to know this seems to be a widespread issue with their notification systems rather than something wrong with my specific return. Going to stop obsessively checking TPG every few hours and just wait for my bank to process it. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines - really helps with the anxiety!

Just a caution - don't assume the refund is correct without verification! I had something similar happen and just cashed the check, thinking "cool, free money!" Two years later I got hit with an even bigger bill because they discovered their error. If you cash a refund check you're not entitled to, you'll eventually have to pay it back WITH INTEREST.

This is exactly why I always recommend keeping detailed records of everything when dealing with IRS notices. In your case, since you submitted documentation correcting one of the income amounts, it's very possible they made adjustments beyond what you specifically addressed. Here's what I'd suggest: Don't cash any refund check until you get a complete explanation of their calculations. Request a detailed breakdown by calling the IRS or writing to them - you have every right to understand how they arrived at this figure. Also, go back through your 2021 tax documents and double-check for any withholding on those missed income sources, as others mentioned. Look for boxes 4 and 6 on any 1099 forms, and check if there were estimated tax payments you made that year that might not have been properly credited to your account. The fact that you went from owing money to getting a $1,378 refund suggests they found something significant beyond just the income correction you submitted. Better to be safe and verify everything now than deal with interest and penalties later if there was an error.

My sister had the exact same issue last year! Her refund went through "Santa Barbara TPG" which is another one of these temporary bank accounts. Turns out her preparer was adding a $150 "processing fee" that she never disclosed verbally. The paperwork mentioned it in tiny print on page 4 of something she quickly signed. When my sister confronted her, the preparer claimed it was "standard industry practice" and refused to refund anything. She reported her to the state board of accountancy and switched tax preparers.

This is definitely a red flag situation. As others have mentioned, legitimate refund transfers should be clearly disclosed with proper documentation. The fact that your SSN is embedded in an unknown bank account number is particularly concerning from an identity protection standpoint. I'd recommend taking these steps immediately: 1. Get your official IRS transcript to compare the actual refund amount with what you received 2. Look through all your tax paperwork for any mention of refund transfer fees or Metabank authorization 3. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports since your SSN was used in ways you weren't aware of Even if the dollar amounts match up, the lack of proper disclosure about routing your refund through a third-party account is problematic. This could be a case where the preparer is legitimate but has poor business practices, or it could be something more serious. The transcript will help you determine which situation you're dealing with. If you discover any discrepancies or unauthorized fees, definitely report this to the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility and your state's board of accountancy if applicable.

FYI - it's actually better to have refunds direct deposited to your account instead of having checks sent through preparers. Always use your own bank info, never let them handle your money. Good luck getting this resolved.

This is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately way too common. As someone who works in financial services, I can tell you that what they're doing is 100% illegal. The moment that refund check was issued in your name, it became your property - not theirs to hold hostage. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. Send them a written demand (certified mail) stating they have 24 hours to release YOUR check 2. Contact your state's consumer protection agency 3. File a complaint with the IRS Return Preparer Office 4. If they're part of a franchise, escalate to corporate immediately The fact that they suddenly said you could pick it up after mentioning the IRS tells you everything you need to know - they KNOW they're in the wrong. Don't let them get away with this predatory behavior. Document everything and make sure to warn others about this place once you get your money back. You shouldn't have to wait weeks for new SS cards when they already had sufficient documentation to file your return successfully. This is pure intimidation tactics.