Why not just use an LLC taxed as an S-corp for the consulting? That's what I do for my dual streams - keeps everything cleaner and you won't risk having auditors question why two totally different businesses are mixed together.

I'd actually recommend sticking with your existing PSC structure for both income streams. The IRS considers both film production and financial consulting as qualifying personal services, so there's no compliance issue with running them through the same entity. The key advantage of keeping everything in one PSC is simplicity - you'll have one set of books, one tax return, and streamlined accounting. Just make sure to track the income sources separately for your own records and maintain proper documentation showing both activities are legitimate personal services. One practical tip: given that large upfront consulting payment, consider discussing with a tax professional about timing your salary distributions to optimize your overall tax situation. You might want to spread some of that $135K across tax years depending on your other income and tax brackets.

I waited 6 weeks this year with no movement, then called the IRS. Was on hold for 2+ hours and got disconnected twice. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes. Found out there was a simple verification issue they needed to clear up. Refund was approved the next day after I spoke with them. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human!

Don't panic yet! Your timeline is actually pretty normal. I filed 1/28 and got accepted 2/13, so we're in similar boats. The 21-day processing time they advertise is more like a best-case scenario. With the volume they're dealing with this year, 4-6 weeks seems more realistic. When you check your Account Transcript, look for your 2023 tax year. If you see code 150 with your filing date, that's good - it means they received and processed your return. The absence of an 846 code just means they haven't issued the refund yet, not that there's a problem. Keep checking weekly - once you see that 846 code, your refund will typically hit your account within 1-2 business days.

Listen to what most people here are saying. Trust the human IRS representative over the automated system. Mark your calendar for March 27th. If nothing arrives by March 30th, then take further action. Most verification issues this year are resolving without taxpayer intervention. The system is overwhelmed but functioning. Your money is coming.

I went through this exact same thing in February! The ID.me verification flag stayed up for almost 3 weeks after my IRS rep told me my return was already approved. It's like their systems are running on different timelines - the verification system doesn't get updated when the processing system clears your return. What really helped me was checking my account transcript on irs.gov instead of relying on Where's My Refund or ID.me. The transcript showed my actual processing codes and deposit date, which was way more accurate than the other systems. If your rep said March 27th, I'd bet money it'll be there within a day or two of that date. The joint filing thing might have triggered extra scrutiny initially, but once a human reviewed it, you're golden. Don't stress about the lingering verification message - it's just a ghost in their system at this point.

Mississippi Department of Revenue implemented new fraud detection protocols for TY2023 returns. This has extended standard processing times by approximately 14-21 days beyond previous years. Returns with Schedule C income or claiming MS-specific credits undergo heightened scrutiny. Their internal processing matrix prioritizes returns based on filing method, complexity factors, and submission date. Current estimated timeline for non-complex February e-filed returns is mid-April completion.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation here in Mississippi! Filed on February 12th and got my federal refund in 8 days, but still crickets from the state. It's so frustrating because I've been counting on that refund to cover some car repairs. Reading through these comments is actually really reassuring though - sounds like it's just a system overhaul causing delays rather than anything being wrong with our returns. I guess I'll try to be patient for another few weeks, but man, this waiting game is brutal when you need the money!