Waiting for SBTPG is like watching paint dry while someone keeps adding more wet paint! Does anyone know if calling right when they open is better than mid-day? I've heard their hold times are ridiculous no matter when you call.

I've found that calling SBTPG right at 10am CT (when they open) gives you the best chance of shorter hold times. After 11am, you're looking at 45+ minute waits easily. Also, if you're an independent contractor like the original poster, you might want to check if your tax software offers any expedited refund tracking services - some of them have direct lines to SBTPG that can bypass the general customer service queue. Worth asking your tax preparer about it since you need the funds for quarterly payments.

Does anybody know if TurboTax actually gets information from the IRS that we don't see, or if they're just making educated guesses based on when you filed? I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for my refund and its frustrating not knowing who to trust!!

I've been using TurboTax for about 3 years now and honestly, their blue bar is more of a psychological comfort than a reliable predictor. In my experience, it's been accurate maybe 60% of the time - close enough to give you hope but not reliable enough to plan around. The thing is, TurboTax can only estimate based on when your return was accepted and the IRS's stated processing times. They have zero visibility into what's actually happening to your specific return once it hits the IRS systems. So if there's any kind of review, verification, or even just a backlog at the processing center handling your return, that estimate goes out the window. My advice? Use the blue bar as a rough guideline but don't stress if the date comes and goes. The official IRS "Where's My Refund" tool is really your best bet for actual status updates, even though it's frustratingly vague most of the time. And remember, the 21-day processing time is their goal, not a guarantee - especially during peak season when they're swamped.

Anyone else notice how 846 codes on mondays usually hit different than other days? 👀

Congrats on getting the 846 code! That's definitely your refund issued date. Just wanted to add that you should also check if there are any other codes on your transcript like 570 or 571 that might delay things. But if 846 is showing with March 3rd and no hold codes, you're golden! 🎉

Hey OP, any update? Did you manage to get through to them?

I went through the exact same thing last year! The IRS letter never showed up, and I was panicking about not being able to file my taxes. Here's what worked for me: I called the IRS early in the morning (like 7:30 AM) and got through pretty quickly. They couldn't give me the verification code over the phone, but they were able to verify my identity using other methods - they asked me questions about my previous tax returns, addresses, and some financial info. They then sent a new letter to my current address, which arrived within 10 business days. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and last year's tax return handy when you call. Also, double-check that they have your correct mailing address! Good luck - you got this! 💪

Word of caution - if you filed with TT and chose fees taken out of refund, it might take a few extra days to hit your account bc it goes through their bank first

Congrats on the 846! That's definitely your Direct Deposit Date. Just keep in mind that 2/24 falls on a Monday, so depending on your bank it could show up as early as Friday 2/21 or over the weekend. Some banks release funds early when the deposit date falls on a weekday. Either way, you're in the home stretch! 🎉