Anyone know if the delays r worse for ppl who claimed earned income credit?

Filed mine February 15th and just got it yesterday! Took about 7 weeks total. Hang in there @Malik Robinson - based on when you filed, you should hopefully see yours soon. The MS refund tracker isn't super helpful but once it moves from "processing" to "approved" it usually comes within a few days after that.

sign up for those email alerts they mentioned! thats how i knew exactly when mine was approved last year

I've been through this exact same situation! Filed through Cash App for NY state taxes last year and got the same "processing" message. It's totally normal - that's just their standard first status for all returns. The fact that you can see your tax year (2024) and form type (IT-201) displayed correctly means Cash App transmitted everything properly to NY state. I'd definitely recommend signing up for those email alerts like others mentioned - that's how I found out when mine was approved. NY typically takes 2-3 weeks to process, sometimes longer during busy periods. Cash App is legit for tax filing, so don't worry about that part!

Does anyone have experience using QuickBooks Self-Employed for tracking their LLC expenses alongside W-2 income? Or is there a better software to keep everything organized for this dual income situation?

I'm in almost the exact same situation! W-2 job making about $75k and started an LLC for freelance graphic design that brought in around $28k this year. The tax situation has been so confusing. One thing I learned the hard way is that you definitely need to make quarterly estimated payments on your LLC income. I didn't do this my first year and got hit with underpayment penalties even though I got a refund overall. The IRS wants their money throughout the year, not just at filing time. Also, make sure you're tracking EVERYTHING for business expenses - software subscriptions, equipment, even the portion of your internet bill if you work from home. These deductions can really add up and help offset some of that self-employment tax burden. The tax bracket thing is real too. My combined income pushed me into the next bracket for part of my earnings, so I ended up owing more than I expected. Now I set aside about 35% of all LLC income just to be safe. Have you considered getting a business credit card specifically for LLC expenses? It makes tracking so much easier come tax time.

According to IRS Publication 17, section 1.e.4, the taxpayer remains responsible for their refund regardless of which account receives it. Regulation 31 CFR § 210 further states that financial institutions must accept direct deposits made to an account even if the name on the payment doesn't match the account holder. However, this doesn't address potential issues with the Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements. Has anyone confirmed whether this triggers any suspicious activity reports?

I work at a credit union and see this situation regularly with military families. The Bank Secrecy Act reporting threshold is $10,000+ for single transactions, so most tax refunds won't trigger CTRs (Currency Transaction Reports). However, your bank may still flag it internally if the deposit amount and frequency seem unusual for your account pattern. My recommendation: Call your bank's customer service first and give them a heads up about the incoming deposit. Explain it's a one-time family assistance situation. Most banks appreciate the transparency and will note your account to prevent unnecessary holds or inquiries. Also, consider having your brother-in-law explore USAA or Navy Federal - both offer accounts specifically for military personnel overseas and often have more flexible requirements than traditional banks.

dumb questin maybe but whats the difference between a CPA and just a regular tax preparer? like the people at H&R Block or whatever... are they CPAs? I'm confused about all the different credentials ppl can have for taxes

Great question! I had a similar concern when I was looking for tax help last year. Beyond what others have mentioned about state boards and NASBA's CPAverify, I'd also recommend checking if they have a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) through the IRS directory. Anyone who prepares tax returns for compensation must have one. You can search the IRS "Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications" online. This will show you if they're authorized to practice before the IRS and what type of credentials they hold (CPA, EA, attorney, etc.). Also, don't be afraid to ask them directly about their credentials during your initial consultation. A legitimate CPA should be happy to provide their license number and state of licensure upfront. If they're evasive or reluctant to share this basic information, that's a red flag. One more tip: if they're charging unusually low fees compared to other CPAs in your area, be cautious. Quality tax preparation by a licensed professional costs money, and if the price seems too good to be true, it often is.