I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Completed my ID.me verification on March 12th after being asked to verify due to filing Head of Household for the first time (also went through a divorce last year). It's been 2 weeks and still showing the first bar on WMR with no transcript updates. The waiting is honestly the worst part - especially when you're dealing with divorce expenses and really need that money. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty typical, so hopefully we'll both see movement soon. Has anyone had luck calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service if it goes beyond the normal timeframe?

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just completed my ID.me verification on March 15th after they flagged my return for identity verification. Like many of you, I'm also filing Head of Household for the first time due to a recent divorce (finalized in January). It's been 10 days now and still stuck on the first bar of WMR with transcripts showing N/A. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're already dealing with divorce-related financial stress. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really reassuring - it sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty normal, and most people seem to get their refunds well before that 9-week maximum the IRS quotes. I'm trying to stay patient, but checking WMR multiple times a day has become an obsession! Has anyone noticed if there's a particular day of the week when updates typically happen, or is it pretty random?

I'm so grateful for this community! When my refund was stuck last year I was panicking about how it would affect everything else in my financial life. The advice here saved me SO MUCH stress! ❤️ One thing I learned that might help you - keep filing on time even with the previous year unresolved. The worst thing you can do is let one delayed return cause you to be late with the next one. That creates ACTUAL problems instead of just potential ones. Sending good vibes that both your returns get processed soon!

I can relate to your anxiety about this situation! I went through something similar two years ago where my refund was delayed for almost 8 months. What I learned from that experience is that the IRS processing systems are actually quite compartmentalized - each tax year really does get handled separately in most cases. One thing that helped ease my mind was ordering my tax transcripts online. The transcript will show you exactly what's happening with your 2023 return - whether it's just in a backlog queue or if there's actually an issue that needs resolution. Sometimes the "Where's My Refund" tool just shows generic status messages while the transcript reveals more specific information. Also, definitely don't delay filing your 2024 return because of this. Filing on time (or by extension deadline) is crucial regardless of what's happening with previous years. The penalties for late filing are much worse than any potential complications from having overlapping processing periods. Have you tried calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service? They can sometimes help expedite cases that have been delayed unreasonably long. After 11 months, you'd definitely qualify for their assistance. Just document everything - dates you called, reference numbers, etc. It becomes really important if you need to escalate later.

Has anyone used one of those tax relief companies for Form 8300 issues specifically? The ones advertising on radio/TV? Wondering if they're worth the money or just taking advantage...

I went through a Form 8300 audit reconsideration about 18 months ago and wanted to share what I learned. The process definitely works, but you need to be prepared for it to take time and require a lot of documentation. In my case, I had penalties for allegedly not filing Form 8300 for a cash transaction in my consulting business, but I had actually filed it - the IRS just couldn't locate it in their system. I had to provide copies of the original form, proof of certified mailing, and bank records showing the transaction details. The key things that helped me: 1) I included a detailed timeline of events with dates, 2) I referenced specific IRS publications that supported my position, and 3) I kept everything very factual without getting emotional about the situation. It took about 7 months total, but they eventually removed 100% of the penalties once they found their copy of my original filing. The waiting was stressful, especially with collection notices continuing to arrive, but it was worth sticking with the process. My advice: if you have legitimate grounds for reconsideration (like reasonable cause or IRS error), definitely pursue it. Just make sure you have solid documentation and be patient with the timeline.

Things that helped me after waitng 4 months for my mailed return last year: 1. Getting through to a human at the IRS using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - finally got confirmation they had my return 2. Having my certified mail receipt handy with tracking number 3. Checking my transcript instead of Where's My Refund (more detailed) 4. Calling right at 7am when they open 5. Contacting my representative's office as a last resort Don't lose hope - it'll get processed eventually!

I'm going through something similar - mailed my 2022 return in late March and it's been 6 weeks with no record showing up anywhere. The waiting is incredibly stressful, especially when you're counting on that refund money. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like paper returns are just taking an extremely long time to process due to the IRS backlog. I'm going to try some of the suggestions mentioned here like checking early Saturday mornings for transcript updates and maybe using one of those callback services to actually talk to someone. Hang in there - seems like we're all in the same frustrating boat with mailed returns this year!

Don't overthink this! I've been filing 1099-NEC for 7 years. Just go to irs.gov/payments and pick any method you want. They don't care HOW you pay as long as you pay by the deadline. The VPS selection in your software doesn't lock you into anything. I personally like the IRS Direct Pay option cause there's no fee and you get immediate confirmation.

Hey Jace! I was in your exact situation a few months ago - also used TaxSlayer and accidentally selected VPS without knowing what it meant. The good news is you're not locked into anything! Here's what I did: I went straight to irs.gov and used their "Direct Pay" option. You'll need your SSN, the exact amount you owe, and your bank account info. It's completely free and you get confirmation right away. Just make sure to select the right tax year (2024 for taxes you're filing now) and choose "1040 Series" as your form type. The whole process took me maybe 10 minutes, and I had peace of mind knowing it was paid. Don't stress about the VPS thing - it's just one of many payment options and doesn't affect your filing at all. You've got this!