If its any consolation. I'm in the same boat. 2/19 DDD and SBTPG still says awaiting. Tax preparer said it could take a few more days because of high volume this year. They're processing millions of returns at once. Try to be patient even tho I know it sucks when your waiting on ur money.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustration! Had a 2/19 DDD and SBTPG has been stuck on "awaiting transfer" for a week now. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money. I've been checking my bank account obsessively but nothing yet. Reading through these comments though, it sounds like their system is just really behind this year and the website doesn't update in real time. Definitely going to pay upfront next year to avoid this middleman nightmare. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least I know I'm not alone in this!

This might be a stupid question but I'm confused about how this affects penalties. If I'm someone who normally just gets a W-2 and doesn't need to make estimated payments, can I still use this trick to overpay and get a refund? Or will I get hit with some kind of penalty for paying taxes late even though I'm overpaying?

One thing to keep in mind is the timing of your refund if you're planning this for credit card rewards. The IRS typically processes refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, but this can be longer during busy filing season (especially February-April). If you're counting on getting your overpayment back quickly to pay off your credit card before interest kicks in, make sure you have a backup plan in case the refund takes longer than expected. I learned this the hard way when my refund was delayed by 6 weeks due to additional review, and I ended up paying interest on my credit card balance. Also, remember that if you overpay by more than $1, the IRS will send you a paper check rather than direct deposit unless you specifically request direct deposit on your return. The paper check adds another week or two to the process.

I've been through this exact situation with my credit union multiple times. Here's what you need to do: Step 1: Don't panic - the trace number confirms the money is in transit Step 2: Call your credit union and specifically ask about "pending ACH deposits from the Treasury" Step 3: If they don't see anything, ask what time they process their final ACH batch for the day Step 4: If nothing appears by tomorrow morning, then contact the IRS with your trace number In my experience with three different credit unions over the years, tax refunds almost always post between 3-5pm on the DDD, especially on the west coast. The smaller the credit union, the later in the day it tends to process.

Don't stress too much - this is actually pretty normal! I had the exact same thing happen with my credit union last year. The trace number from Santa Barbara TPG is the key indicator that everything is working correctly. That means the IRS has released your funds and they're in the banking pipeline. Credit unions typically process ACH deposits in batches throughout the day, with most doing their final processing between 3-5pm local time. Since you're in Oregon and it's still morning, you've got plenty of time before you should worry. I'd give it until at least 6pm PST before calling your credit union. The fact that this happened to you last year and resolved itself is a good sign - credit unions just tend to be slower than big banks with these government deposits.

Does anyone know if having unpaid court fees affects filing taxes? I still owe about $3,500 in restitution and I'm worried they'll take my refund if I file.

Hey, I'm really glad you're taking this seriously and getting your life back on track! Filing taxes can definitely feel overwhelming at first, but you've got this. A few things to add to what others have said: 1. **You're required to file** - Since you made $27,000, you're well above the filing threshold, so yes, you do need to file by April 15th. 2. **No special forms needed** - Your parole status doesn't require any special tax forms or disclosures to the IRS. Just file like anyone else with your income level. 3. **Watch your withholdings** - Check your paystubs to see if enough tax was withheld. Sometimes people coming out of incarceration don't realize they need to adjust their W-4 form with their employer. 4. **Free filing options** - If your income is under $73,000 (which it is), you can use IRS Free File. Go to irs.gov and look for "Free File" - it'll connect you with free software that walks you through everything. 5. **Keep your PO informed** - It sounds like you're already doing this, but letting your parole officer know you're handling your tax obligations shows you're being responsible. The fact that you're asking these questions and trying to do everything right shows you're on the right path. Don't let the process intimidate you - thousands of people file their first tax return every year and figure it out just fine.

Azlo Bank used to be perfect for this situation but unfortunately they shut down. I've had good luck with both Novo and BlueVine for clients with similar situations. They're primarily concerned with the business's legitimacy rather than your personal banking history. Just make sure your LLC paperwork is completely in order. They'll want to see your Articles of Organization and EIN letter at minimum. Some tips: - Have a clear business description ready - Be prepared to explain expected monthly transaction volume - Having a professional website or social media for the business helps

I went through a similar situation about 18 months ago after bankruptcy. Here's what worked for me: **Novo Bank** was by far the easiest approval. They focus heavily on your business documentation rather than personal credit. I was approved within 2 days with a 520 credit score and multiple ChexSystems flags. No monthly fees, decent online platform, and they've been reliable for my home-based consulting LLC. **For building business credit separately**, I'd recommend starting with: - Net-30 vendor accounts (Uline, Grainger, etc.) once you have your business account - Dun & Bradstreet business credit file (free to establish) - Consider a secured business credit card from Capital One or Wells Fargo after 3-6 months of banking history **Pro tip**: When you apply, emphasize that you're running a legitimate business operation and be ready to explain your business model clearly. Banks want to see you're not just trying to hide personal finances behind an LLC. Also, since you're filing as S-Corp, make sure you understand the payroll requirements - you'll need to pay yourself a reasonable salary and handle payroll taxes. This actually helps with business credit building since it shows regular business activity. Don't let the past financial struggles discourage you. I'm now at a 720 business credit score and have access to $50K in business lines of credit. It takes time but it's absolutely doable!