A little unrelated but just a PSA to everyone: stop paying these tax prep companies to file your taxes AND stop letting them hold your refund! Most people qualify for free filing directly with the IRS and can get direct deposit to their own bank account. These middlemen are making MILLIONS off our refunds every year.

I'm in the exact same situation! Filed 2/5 through TurboTax, got approved 2/20 with DDD 2/27 for Republic Bank advance, and still nothing as of today 2/28. Really frustrating since I was counting on this money for bills due next week. I called Republic Bank this morning and they just said "it's processing" with no real timeline. Based on what others are saying here, sounds like they're just backed up. Going to give it until Monday before I start really panicking. Keep us posted if yours shows up!

Have you checked your CRA My Account? Log in there and go to the "Benefits and credits" section. All your payment details should be listed there with proper descriptions. That's the easiest way to identify mystery government deposits without having to call anyone or use third-party services.

I had a very similar experience last year when I started a second job! In my case, it turned out to be an automatic recalculation of my Canada Workers Benefit. When you start earning additional income, the CRA's system can trigger a reassessment of your eligibility for various benefits. The amount you received ($386.27) sounds consistent with a CWB adjustment. What likely happened is that your new employment income put you in a different bracket for the benefit calculation, and they issued a payment to bring you up to what you should have received. Since you mentioned your CRA My Account isn't working right now, I'd suggest trying again in a few days - the system often gets overwhelmed around benefit payment periods. Once you can access it, you'll see exactly which benefit this was under the "Benefits and credits" section. Don't worry about having to return it - these automated adjustments are usually accurate. But getting the confirmation from your CRA account will give you peace of mind about what it was for.

PSA: If this happens to you, also check your state tax return! When my federal return was fraudulently filed, the scammer also tried to file my state taxes. I had to go through a similar process with my state tax agency. They actually resolved it faster than the IRS did.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - tax identity theft is incredibly frustrating and violating. Unfortunately, the 6-month wait is pretty standard, but here are a few things that might help: 1. Keep detailed records of everything - dates you called, reference numbers, names of agents you spoke with. This will be crucial if you need to follow up. 2. Consider requesting a taxpayer advocate if your case gets delayed beyond the normal timeframes. They can sometimes help expedite legitimate hardship cases. 3. As others mentioned, definitely get that IP PIN for next year. It's free and prevents this from happening again. Regarding whether the fraudster gets caught - the IRS does investigate, but they typically focus on organized fraud rings rather than individual cases. Many identity thieves use stolen information from data breaches, so they're often part of larger criminal operations that are harder to trace back to individuals. The silver lining is that you WILL get your refund eventually. I know that doesn't help with immediate expenses, but the IRS does make victims whole in these situations. Hang in there!

Anyone have thoughts on passing the CPA exam? I'm also a B student and worried I won't be able to pass the exams, especially FAR with all the accounting rules. Would it be worth pursuing a tax career if I struggle with the CPA?

As someone who works at a mid-size tax firm, I want to echo what others have said - your VITA experience is actually more valuable than most people realize. We regularly hire candidates who've done volunteer tax prep because it shows they can handle real client interactions and navigate actual tax software. The skills that make someone successful in tax are really different from what makes someone good at financial or cost accounting. Tax work is more about research, problem-solving, and understanding how the code applies to specific situations. You need to be able to read regulations, interpret guidance, and communicate complex concepts clearly to clients. Your B average honestly isn't a red flag at all. I'd much rather hire someone who's genuinely interested in tax and has some practical experience (like VITA) than someone with a 4.0 who's never prepared a real return. The fact that you enjoyed the tax courses and felt confident in them is a much better indicator of your potential success. Don't let that recruiter's question shake your confidence. Focus on what you enjoyed about tax work and be ready to articulate why you're drawn to this field specifically. That passion and interest will carry you much further than perfect grades in every accounting class.

Has anybody had luck requesting a short-term extension rather than a formal installment plan? I heard you can get 120 days to pay in full without the setup fee.

I went through this exact same issue last month! That error message is incredibly frustrating, but don't panic - it's usually just a timing/processing issue, not a disqualification. Here's what worked for me: First, wait at least 7-10 business days after your return shows as "received" before trying the OPA system again. Even though they've acknowledged receiving your return, it takes time for all their internal systems to sync up. Second, try accessing the system at different times of day. I found early morning (6-8 AM EST) worked better than peak hours when their servers are overloaded. If you're still getting the error after waiting, the 120-day payment extension that Zoe mentioned is a great interim solution while you sort this out. You can request it by calling 1-800-829-1040 (yeah, the wait times are brutal, but it's worth it for the peace of mind). Don't stress too much about a few extra days - the failure-to-pay penalty is only 0.5% per month, so we're talking about a very small amount for a short delay. You've got this!