Has anyone else noticed that the 'Where's My Refund' tool is about as useful as a chocolate teapot? 🍫☕

I totally feel your frustration! I'm in a similar situation - filed in January and got that dreaded 60-day review letter in March. It's now been way longer than 60 days and I'm still waiting too. The worst part is not knowing WHY they're reviewing it or what they need from me. From what I've learned lurking in forums like this, the IRS is massively backlogged and those 60-day letters are basically just buying them more time. Some people are waiting 6+ months even after getting that letter. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to wait this long for our own money back! I've been checking the "Where's My Refund" tool obsessively but it just says the same thing every time. At this point I'm considering reaching out to my local congressman's office since I heard they can sometimes help expedite things when the IRS is being unresponsive for this long. Hang in there - hopefully we'll both get some answers soon! 🤞

Called NFCU yesterday and they said they dont even see pending deposits in their system. Once IRS sends it tho it hits quick usually midnight-3am EST

NFCU member here! Filed 2/3 with PATH 05 and just checked my transcript this morning - still showing as received but not processed yet. From what I've seen in other threads, once IRS actually processes PATH 05 returns (should be around Feb 15th), NFCU is one of the faster banks to deposit. Usually see it hit my account within 24-48 hours of the IRS releasing funds. The waiting is brutal but at least we know NFCU won't hold it up on their end!

Called the IRS about this exact thing last week. They said as long as theres no errors or review codes, its just moving through the system. But like... moving WHERE? 😤

Ugh, I feel your pain! Same thing happened to me last year - the as-of date kept changing every week or so but literally nothing else moved on my transcript. It's so frustrating because you think something is happening but it's just the system doing its thing. From what I've learned, those date changes are basically meaningless - it's just the IRS updating their internal processing dates. The real movement comes from transaction codes appearing. Have you tried calling the taxpayer advocate service? They might be able to give you more insight into what's actually going on with your return since you filed back in January.

Has anyone tried those middle-ground services like H&R Block where it's cheaper than a CPA but you still talk to a human? Wondering if those are any better than just software for someone like OP.

Based on what you've described, you're probably fine sticking with tax software for now. Your situation is pretty standard - W-2 income, some dividends, interest, basic stock trades, and retirement accounts are all things that TurboTax handles well. The main things that would push you toward a CPA are: significant business income, rental properties, complex investment strategies, or major life changes like getting married/divorced. A salary bump alone doesn't usually create tax complexity that requires professional help. That said, since you mentioned getting a promotion, this might be a good year to at least educate yourself on tax planning strategies for higher earners. Things like maximizing your 401k contributions, HSA contributions, and potentially looking into backdoor Roth IRAs if your income is getting close to the traditional Roth limits. Tax software can handle the filing part, but it won't necessarily give you strategic advice for future years. If you're really curious, you could always do your taxes with software first, then get a second opinion from a CPA to see if they find anything different. But honestly, for most people in your situation, the software does just fine.

I actually made the same mistake in 2021 and found out through a tax notice. Here's what I learned: Your W-2s from both employers should show your total contributions in Box 12 with code D (traditional) or AA (Roth). Add those up to confirm you actually exceeded the $20,500 limit for 2022. If you did exceed it, and it's a Roth 401k, the excess plus earnings should be distributed to you. The earnings will be taxable in 2023 (when you receive the distribution), not 2022. But theres a 10% early withdrawal penalty on those earnings if you're under 59½.

Just wanted to add some perspective from someone who dealt with this exact situation last year. The stress is real, but you're not alone in this! A few practical tips that helped me: 1. **Document everything** - Keep records of all your communication attempts with Vanguard and your employer. This creates a paper trail showing you made good faith efforts to resolve it properly. 2. **Check your math twice** - Like Isabella mentioned, make sure you're looking at the right W-2 boxes. I initially panicked thinking I was over when I was actually fine. 3. **Don't panic about the October 15 deadline** - While it's ideal to get the excess distributed before then, you can still file Form 5329 with your return to report the excess and pay the 6% excise tax if needed. It's not the end of the world. 4. **Consider professional help** - Whether it's the services others mentioned or a local CPA, sometimes the cost is worth the peace of mind and avoiding bigger penalties. The key thing to remember is that this is a correctable mistake. The IRS has procedures for this exact situation because it happens more often than you'd think with job changes. You're taking the right steps by addressing it now rather than ignoring it. Hang in there - you'll get through this!