Did you claim any credits like EIC or CTC? Those usually take longer to process

Totally normal! Federal refunds almost always take longer than state - the IRS processes millions more returns than any individual state tax agency. Your California refund timeline is pretty standard (they're usually one of the faster states), but federal can take anywhere from 21 days to 6-8 weeks depending on how busy they are. Since we're right in peak tax season, I'd give it at least another 2-3 weeks before worrying. The lack of detailed tracking from IRS is frustrating but unfortunately typical - they don't provide nearly as much transparency as state systems do.

Hey OP, which state are you in? Some states have free tax prep services for low-income filers. Might be worth checking out!

I totally understand the frustration with the 1040! When I first started doing my own taxes, I felt completely overwhelmed too. One thing that really helped me was breaking it down section by section and using the IRS's own interactive tax assistant tool on their website - it walks you through each line with plain English explanations. Also, don't feel bad about taking your time with it. Better to go slow and get it right than rush and make mistakes. You've got this! 💪

What finally worked for me after 11 months of waiting was using taxr.ai to identify the exact issue (missing 1099 info) and then using claimyr.com to get through to an IRS agent. The combo of knowing exactly what was wrong and being able to talk to a human solved my problem in less than a week after almost a year of waiting. Don't waste time like I did!

The As Of date changing to June 2025 is definitely a positive sign - it means your account is being actively reviewed again after being stuck for so long. However, the amended return you filed last week could complicate things significantly. When an original return is still processing and you file an amended one, it can create confusion in their system and potentially delay things even further. I'd strongly recommend calling the IRS ASAP to explain that you filed an amended return while the original was still processing. If you can reach an agent quickly (try the callback services people mentioned), they might be able to flag your account or provide guidance on how to proceed. The sooner you address this, the better chance you have of minimizing additional delays. Keep monitoring your transcript for codes like 570 (additional account action pending) or 971 (notice issued) - these will give you clues about what's actually happening behind the scenes. After 13+ months, you definitely deserve answers about why your refund has been held up for so long.

Has anyone actually tried to get their foreign marriage recognized in the US? Is there even a process for that? I've been married for 5 years (ceremony in Vietnam) and never did anything official in the US, but we've always filed as married.

Just want to add some reassurance here - I've been a tax preparer for over 15 years and have handled dozens of cases like yours. The IRS absolutely recognizes foreign marriages that were legally performed in the country where they took place. Your Dominican Republic marriage is 100% valid for US tax purposes. Your accountant was correct last year, and you should continue filing as married (either jointly or separately - whichever works better for your situation). Filing as single when you're legally married would actually be incorrect and could cause problems if the IRS ever reviews your return. The key thing is that your marriage was legal where it was performed. You don't need any special US registration or documentation to file your taxes correctly. Keep your original Dominican marriage certificate with your tax records, and you're all set. Don't let your coworkers' confusion stress you out - they're mixing up state marriage recognition issues with federal tax requirements.

Has anyone tried using certified mail with return receipt for paper filing? I filed by paper in January and still nothing, but I'm wondering if having proof of delivery would help if I need to escalate this through the Taxpayer Advocate.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation! Filed my paper return in February and still waiting after 3+ months. The financial stress is real - I was counting on that refund to catch up on some medical bills and now I'm getting late payment notices. One thing that helped me was documenting everything - every phone call attempt, every time I checked the "Where's My Refund" tool, screenshots of the processing status. I also kept records of any financial hardship the delay is causing (late fees, inability to pay bills, etc.). This documentation becomes really important if you do end up contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service. I haven't tried suing the IRS, but from what I've researched, the sovereign immunity issue makes it nearly impossible unless there's clear negligence or violation of taxpayer rights. The interest they pay on delayed refunds is their way of acknowledging the delay without admitting fault. It's frustrating, but focusing on the TAS route seems more realistic than legal action. Hang in there - you're definitely not alone in this nightmare!