I would perhaps suggest approaching this situation with caution. In several cases I've observed, taxpayers who received checks at old addresses experienced subsequent identity verification holds on their accounts in following years. The Department may, in some instances, flag these accounts for additional scrutiny during the next filing season, particularly if the check was returned undeliverable. This could potentially delay future refunds by approximately 60-90 days while identity verification processes are completed.

This is incredibly frustrating but unfortunately very common with PA state refunds. I experienced this exact same issue last year - filed with direct deposit selected and current address, but they sent a paper check to my old address from 2021. What I learned from dealing with PA DOR is that their system has a major flaw: if there's ANY discrepancy between your current filing address and what they have in their legacy database, they automatically override your direct deposit election and mail a paper check to whatever address they have on file - which could be years old. The key steps that actually worked for me: 1. Call PA DOR immediately (yes, the wait times are brutal) 2. Request a refund trace - they'll give you a reference number 3. File Form REV-763 to officially update your address 4. If the check hasn't been cashed, they can usually stop payment and reissue Pro tip: Set up mail forwarding with USPS as a backup, but don't rely on it alone since tax documents sometimes can't be forwarded. The whole process took me about 6 weeks to resolve, but I did eventually get my refund. Pennsylvania really needs to fix this system - it's affecting way too many taxpayers every year.

This is such a common concern! I work in banking and see customers worried about this all the time. Here's a quick tip that might help: if you bank online, you can usually find your routing and account numbers in your account details section to cross-reference with what you originally entered on your return. Also, many banks will send you a notification if there's an attempted deposit that fails due to incorrect information - so if your banking details were wrong, you'd likely know pretty quickly when the IRS tries to process your refund. Most banks are pretty good about flagging unusual deposit attempts. The paper check backup that others mentioned is reassuring too - the IRS won't just lose your refund if the direct deposit fails!

I've been through this exact same worry! As someone who's dealt with this issue multiple times over the years, I can confirm what others have said - the banking information simply isn't visible on any transcript you can access online. Here's what I've learned from experience: **Quick verification steps:** 1. Log into your tax software account if you e-filed - most keep your submitted return accessible for months 2. Check your email for any filing confirmations that might include account details 3. Look at your bank statements around the time you filed - sometimes you can spot what account number you likely used based on recent activity **Red flags to watch for:** - If it's been more than 21 days since your expected refund date with no deposit - Your "Where's My Refund" tool shows any processing issues - You receive any IRS notices about payment problems The good news is that even if there was an error, the IRS will mail you a paper check once the direct deposit fails - it just adds 3-4 weeks to the process as others mentioned. I actually had this happen in 2019 and while frustrating, I did eventually get my full refund. At your age, I totally understand wanting to avoid unnecessary delays with your money. The peace of mind is worth a quick double-check of your filed return copy!

Have you considered tax filing services like TaxAct or TaxSlayer? Some of them can efile prior year returns for much less than what a CPA would charge. I used TaxSlayer last year to file my 2021 return in January 2023 and it cost me around $70 total. Might be worth checking if you qualify for their services before dropping $375 on a CPA.

Whatever you do, just make sure you actually file! I made the mistake of procrastinating on a 2020 return thinking "I'll get to it eventually" and ended up missing out on almost $1,800 in refund money because I passed the 3-year deadline to claim it. The deadline for 2022 returns to get refunds is April 15, 2026, so you still have plenty of time, but don't wait too long!

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - your SIC/NAICS code can affect your insurance rates too! My business insurance premiums were way higher than quotes I saw online because the insurance company had classified my e-learning business under a higher-risk category. Once I pointed out the correct NAICS code, my premiums dropped by almost 30%. So definitely take the time to get this right.

Here's my 2 cents as someone who's owned multiple small businesses - don't overthink this too much. Pick the code that most accurately represents what your business actually does. The NAICS website has a search function where you can type in keywords related to your business and find matching codes. Just be honest!

took exactly 17 days for mine to show up last month. hang in there

Been waiting for my refund check since Feb 3rd mail date, so I totally feel your pain! From what I've experienced and heard from others, it really depends on your local postal service. Some areas are getting them in 7-10 days while others are taking 3+ weeks. The IRS customer service line is pretty backed up right now, but if you hit the 4 week mark definitely call to start a trace. In the meantime, try not to stress too much - they will get it to you eventually! 🤞