Has anyone actually compared the tax brackets from last year to this year? I heard they adjusted for inflation but not sure if that would cause such a big refund difference??

I went through something similar last year and it's really frustrating when you're expecting a certain amount! One thing that might help is to look at your actual tax liability from both years rather than just the refund amount. Your refund is essentially how much you overpaid in taxes through withholding minus what you actually owe. So if your tax liability went up (due to the DoorDash income and losing education credits as others mentioned), but your withholding stayed roughly the same, that would directly reduce your refund. The DoorDash income is particularly tricky because not only does it increase your regular income tax, but you also owe that 15.3% self-employment tax on it. For next year, you might want to make quarterly estimated tax payments if you continue doing gig work, or adjust your W-4 to have more withheld from your regular job to cover the additional tax from side income. This way you won't get hit with a surprise smaller refund (or potentially owe money) again.

Don't forget that many state tax agencies offer free assistance for these kinds of questions. I had a similar ITIN issue and was able to get help by visiting my state's taxpayer assistance center in person. The wait was about an hour, but they walked me through exactly how to handle the extension with a pending ITIN application. Sometimes talking to a real person who knows your state's specific requirements is the best way to go, especially for unusual situations like this one.

I just want to add that if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the different state requirements, don't panic! The key thing to remember is that filing a state extension is usually much simpler than it seems, and the penalties for getting it slightly wrong are typically much less severe than missing the deadline entirely. Since you already filed your federal return, you're ahead of the game. Most states are pretty understanding about ITIN situations since they're becoming more common. The main thing is to file SOMETHING by the deadline - even if it's not perfect, it shows good faith effort to comply. Also, keep detailed records of everything you submit. Take screenshots of online filings, keep copies of forms, and note down confirmation numbers. This documentation will be helpful if any questions come up later when you file your actual return with the completed ITIN. You've got this - the fact that you're asking these questions now instead of waiting until the last minute shows you're being responsible about the process!

The IRS systems are such a mess rn... one status means something different every other day i stg 🤡

I experienced the exact same thing! Mine changed from "not processed" to "not available" about 2 weeks ago and I was panicking thinking something went wrong. But then last Friday I checked and boom - DDD appeared with a deposit date for this week! The "not available" status seems to be their way of saying they're actively working on it. Definitely check daily because once it updates, things move fast. Good luck! 🤞

not sure if this helps but when i was in ur situation I actually went to my local IRS office (you need to make an appointment) and they were able to tell me exactly what the letter was about and what I needed to do. Saved weeks of waiting.

I feel your frustration! I went through something similar last year and it turned out to be an identity verification issue. A few suggestions that helped me: 1. Try calling the IRS early Monday morning right at 7 AM - I had better luck getting through then 2. Check if you can verify your identity online at irs.gov without waiting for the letter - sometimes this works 3. Look at your tax transcript for any codes like TC 570 which indicates a hold on your account The waiting is the worst part, but hang in there. Most of these verification issues get resolved once you can finally connect with someone or complete the online process. Your refund should be released pretty quickly after that! Also double-check that your address is current with the IRS - sometimes these letters go to old addresses which explains the delay.

I received my first round of child tax credit payments last time without any issues. According to the official IRS newsroom (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom), they're planning to start payments in July, but they recommend ensuring your 2023 tax return is filed and processed before then. They're also planning to relaunch the Child Tax Credit Update Portal where you can check payment status, update direct deposit information, and make other changes as needed.

Welcome to the community! The July timeline is what most sources are indicating, but I'd recommend signing up for IRS email updates if you haven't already - they'll send notifications when the payment portal goes live and when the first payments are scheduled to go out. Since you mentioned being new to the US tax system, one thing to keep in mind is that the IRS typically processes these payments in batches, so even once they start in July, it might take a few weeks for everyone to receive their first payment. Make sure your direct deposit info is current on your most recent tax return to avoid any delays with paper checks.