I want to warn you about something I experienced that could save you some stress. When my amended return was processed last year, here's what happened: 1. Tax Advocate told my senator's office it was processed (similar to your situation) 2. I checked WMR tool daily - no updates for 2 weeks 3. I called IRS directly and they confirmed payment was scheduled 4. The refund was sent BUT to my old address despite having updated it 5. Had to wait for it to be returned to IRS 6. Then had to request a trace on the payment 7. Finally received it 6 weeks later than expected Make sure your address and direct deposit info are correct in the system! The processing and payment systems are separate, and sometimes address updates don't transfer between them. Double-check everything now to avoid delays later.

This sounds really promising! When the Tax Advocate confirms processing is complete but mentions the "payment update hasn't hit the system yet," you're essentially in the final queue. I went through this exact process two years ago with my amended return after getting my representative involved. From my experience, once TAS confirms processing completion, you're typically looking at 1-2 weeks max before the refund date appears in the Where's My Amended Return tool. The key thing to remember is that the IRS processing system and the Treasury payment system operate somewhat independently - think of it like your return has cleared customs but is waiting for the final shipping label. One tip: keep checking the WMR tool every few days rather than daily (I know it's tempting!). The system usually updates overnight on Wednesdays and Fridays. Also, make absolutely sure your direct deposit information and address are current in the system - sometimes the payment processing pulls from older records than the processing system uses. You should be able to start making those home improvement plans soon! The congressional inquiry route typically expedites things significantly once you reach this stage.

I verified by phone on February 20th. My transcript updated with code 846 on March 9th. Deposit hit my account March 14th. Total of 23 days from verification to money in account. Not great, not terrible. One thing - if you're using the money for visa fees, plan for delays. The IRS doesn't care about your deadlines. Have a backup plan for the money just in case.

I went through this exact situation last month as a non-resident! I verified online on March 15th and got my 846 code on March 28th - exactly 13 days later. The refund hit my account 3 days after that. Here's what I learned: Online is definitely faster, but make sure you have backup documents ready. The system asked me questions about previous addresses going back 5 years, which was tricky since I've moved internationally. I had to have my old lease agreements and bank statements handy. For your May 20th deadline, if you verify this week, you should be cutting it close but likely okay based on the timelines people are sharing here. Just don't wait - every day counts when you're working with IRS processing times. And honestly, have a backup funding plan for those visa fees just in case there are unexpected delays. The IRS doesn't adjust their timeline for our life events, unfortunately. Good luck with the verification process!

Ok maybe I'm crazy but try checking your transcript REALLY early in the morning like 3-4am EST. For some reason I could never see updates during regular hours but middle of the night I could see everything. IRS systems are weird.

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed March 8th, verified identity March 14th, and it's been radio silence ever since. My transcript is completely blank and WMR just says "still being processed" with no progress bars. Called twice and both reps told me the same thing - verification shows complete but to just wait longer. It's so frustrating not knowing if something is actually wrong or if this is just normal now. Really hoping we see some movement soon because I'm starting to stress that my return got lost somewhere in their system.

I got mine at 5:15 Eastern! DDD 3/12 with SunTrust. Maybe check again?

I'm in the exact same boat - 3/12 DDD with Chase and nothing yet! I've been refreshing my account all day like it's going to magically appear. From what I'm reading here it sounds like Chase usually posts same day or next morning, so I'm trying to stay optimistic. The waiting is the worst part though, especially when you need the money for bills. Fingers crossed we both see it by tomorrow morning!

Has anyone tried specifically classifying themselves as a "job seeker" on their Schedule C? I read somewhere that this might work as a loophole for deducting job search expenses, but it sounds risky.

I'm in a similar situation after being laid off from my software engineering role three months ago. What I've learned through research and talking to a CPA is that the tax landscape for job seekers is pretty limited, but there are a few strategies worth considering: 1. **Freelance/Contract Work**: Even small gigs can open the door to legitimate business deductions. I started doing some part-time contract work ($500-1000/month) which allowed me to deduct a portion of my home office setup. 2. **State vs Federal**: Some states still allow certain job search deductions even though federal law eliminated them in 2018. Check your state's specific rules. 3. **Timing**: If you do start freelancing, consider the timing of your equipment purchases. Expenses made after you start earning self-employment income are more clearly deductible. 4. **Documentation**: Keep detailed records of what percentage of your equipment/space is used for income-generating activities vs. job searching. The reality is that pure job search expenses aren't deductible anymore, but if you can legitimately earn some freelance income using that same equipment, it changes the equation entirely. Just make sure any business activity is genuine and not just a vehicle for deductions.