I'm so tired of people complaining about NC refund times without understanding how the system works! The DOR processes MILLIONS of returns in a few months with limited staff. They've actually improved processing times significantly over the last 5 years. I've tracked my refund timing since 2018, and despite what everyone feels, the average processing time has decreased from 31 days to 24 days for electronic filers. Just be patient - your money is coming!

Thanks for sharing your experience Emma! I'm also in NC and filed my return on February 28th - still waiting as well. The uncertainty is definitely stressful when you're counting on that money. From what I'm seeing in the other comments, it sounds like there might be some additional verification processes happening this year that are slowing things down. I think I'll try checking that NC DOR refund status page someone mentioned to see if there are any updates on mine. Fingers crossed we both get our refunds soon!

Just a heads-up: document EVERYTHING about how you're classifying expenses. My small R&D firm got audited specifically on this Section 174 issue last year, and the only thing that saved us was having extremely detailed documentation about why certain expenses were classified as they were. The IRS is definitely looking at this area closely, especially for SBIR recipients where they know there's a strong incentive to minimize Section 174 classification. Make sure you're being legitimate in your classifications and keep thorough records.

This is such a frustrating situation that so many small R&D companies are facing right now. I'm a CPA who specializes in startup taxation, and I've been helping clients navigate this exact Section 174 mess since it took effect. One thing that might help your immediate situation: make sure you're maximizing any R&D tax credits available to you. Even though you have to capitalize the expenses under Section 174, you may still be eligible for federal R&D credits based on qualified research activities. For a company your size, this could provide meaningful tax relief. Also, consider whether any of your partnership's expenses might qualify as startup costs under Section 195 instead of R&D costs under Section 174. Startup costs have different amortization rules and might be more favorable for your situation. The timing mismatch between grant income and deductible expenses is brutal for cash-based small businesses. You might want to explore whether switching to accrual accounting would help smooth out some of these timing issues, though that comes with its own complications. Have you considered setting aside a portion of this year's grant funding specifically for the tax obligations? I know it's painful to lose research dollars to taxes, but planning for it might help you avoid the cash flow crisis when tax time comes around.

The IRS is so backed up rn its crazy. Been waiting 9 months for my amended return smh

Don't panic! I went through this exact same situation last year. The "Action Required" status usually means they need to verify some information on your return - could be income verification, dependent info, or even just a simple math error they caught. The good news is that once you respond, they typically process it within 4-6 weeks. Since you filed Head of Household, they might be verifying your qualifying person or address. Check your IRS online account too - sometimes the letter details show up there before the physical letter arrives. And definitely respond as soon as you get it, even if it's just acknowledging receipt while you gather documents. The delay sucks but it's better than having them adjust your refund without your input!

Try the IRS2Go app! I find it easier to use than the website and it sometimes updates more frequently. Won't tell you exactly when Discover will post it, but at least you'll know where the IRS is in the process.

I'm in the exact same situation with Discover! My DDD is also next Tuesday and I've been obsessively checking my account. From what I've gathered reading through all these comments, it seems like Discover is pretty inconsistent - some people get it 1-2 days early, others right on the DDD. The fact that they don't see anything pending yet isn't necessarily bad news since the IRS releases funds in batches. I'm planning to start checking Sunday night just in case, but trying not to get my hopes up too much. This waiting game is torture! 😅

Your return is likely in the Business Master File (BMF) processing queue, which operates on a different timeline than individual returns. The 45-day mark is actually within normal parameters for Schedule C processing during peak season. The absence of transcript updates indicates pre-processing status rather than an issue with your return. Most business returns filed in Q1 are experiencing similar timeframes.

I completely understand your frustration - cash flow is critical for business operations! While 45 days feels like forever when you're waiting for your refund, it's actually still within the normal processing window for Schedule C returns. A few suggestions that might help: 1) Consider reaching out to your inventory suppliers about extending payment terms - many are understanding about tax season delays. 2) If you have other business credit options, it might be worth using those temporarily rather than risking late fees. 3) The IRS typically processes business returns in the order received, so yours should move through soon. Hang in there - most people in similar situations see movement between days 50-60.