Don't overthink this. I've been sports betting for years and here's my simple approach: 1. Track all deposits into betting accounts 2. Track all withdrawals from betting accounts 3. At end of year: if withdrawals > deposits = report the difference as gambling income 4. If deposits > withdrawals = potential gambling loss (deductible if itemizing) The IRS doesn't care about individual bets, bonus money, etc. They just want net numbers. Unless you're winning so much you're getting W-2Gs, this method keeps it simple and accurate.

I've been dealing with this exact situation and want to share what I learned after consulting with a tax professional. The key thing to understand is that bonus money creates a timing issue for tax reporting. When you receive a $65 bonus with wagering requirements, that bonus isn't taxable income yet because you can't actually access it. However, once you meet those requirements and the money becomes withdrawable, ANY amount you can withdraw (including the original bonus) becomes taxable income at that point. So in your example, if you complete the $130 wagering requirement and end up with $80 withdrawable (your $65 deposit + $15 net win from the bonus), you'd report $15 as gambling income. If you had won more and could withdraw $150 total, you'd report $85 as income ($150 - $65 original deposit). The tricky part is keeping detailed records of when bonuses become unlocked vs. when you actually withdraw. I use a simple spreadsheet tracking: deposit date/amount, bonus received, wagering requirement completion date, and final withdrawable amount. This way I can clearly show the IRS what portion represents actual gambling income versus return of my original deposits. Most importantly, don't try to separate "bonus money wins" from "real money wins" - the IRS doesn't recognize that distinction once the money is all in your account.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! Filed in early April and still stuck with Tax Topic 152 and that frustrating "delayed beyond normal timeframe" message. The no status bars thing is what really gets me - like, give us SOMETHING to show progress is being made. I've been reading through all these comments and it sounds like getting your transcript is really the key to understanding what's actually happening. Going to try setting up that IRS account tonight and see if I can get some real answers about why this is taking so long. Has anyone had success with just waiting it out vs. actively trying to contact them? I'm torn between being patient and trying to get through to an actual person who can help move things along.

I'm in almost the exact same boat - filed in late March and still getting that same "delayed beyond normal timeframe" message with Tax Topic 152. The lack of any status bars is so frustrating because you have no idea if any progress is being made at all. From reading through all these comments, it really seems like getting your transcript is the most important first step. That's where the real information is hiding that the Where's My Refund tool doesn't show you. I'm definitely going to try setting up an IRS account this weekend to see what codes are actually on my return. The calling services people mentioned sound helpful but I'm wondering if I should try the transcript route first before spending money on those. Has anyone here found that just having the transcript information was enough to understand the delay without needing to actually call? Also really appreciate the tip about contacting your congressman's office - I had no idea that was even an option for tax issues!

I'm so stressed about this too! My return was accepted on February 8th and I didn't see ANY movement on WMR until March 1st - that's 22 days of nothing! 😫 When it finally updated, it went straight from "Return Received" to "Refund Approved" and I got my money 3 days later. The whole time I was checking multiple times a day and getting more anxious with each passing day. The IRS is definitely moving slower this year than I've ever seen before!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed on February 28th, accepted the same day, and it's been radio silence from WMR ever since. I keep telling myself to stop checking it obsessively, but working from home makes it way too easy to refresh that page every few hours. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really reassuring - sounds like 2-3 weeks with no movement is pretty normal this year, even for simple returns. I think the IRS is just overwhelmed and moving at their own pace. At least we're all in this waiting game together! Thanks for posting this question because I was starting to wonder if something was wrong with my return.

If you filed on April 15, 2020 (the extended deadline that year due to COVID), your tax transcript should be available until at least April 15, 2027, as the IRS maintains records for 7 years. If you filed earlier in 2020 for your 2019 taxes, you still have plenty of time before those records expire. One thing that hasn't been mentioned: if you've moved since 2019, make sure you're using your address from that year when requesting transcripts by mail. The IRS will only send sensitive information to the address they have on file from that tax year unless you've formally updated your address with them through Form 8822.

I feel your pain about losing track of important tax documents during stressful times - caring for family can definitely throw off our usual organization systems! Here's what I've learned works best for getting your 2019 AGI: **Try these in order:** 1. **Check your tax software account first** - If you used TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, etc. in 2019, log into that account. They usually keep your returns for 7+ years and it's instant access. 2. **Search your email thoroughly** - Look for "tax confirmation 2019", "e-file accepted", or your tax software's name. Many people save the PDF confirmation emails without realizing it. 3. **Contact your tax preparer** - If you used one, they're required to keep records and this is often the fastest route. 4. **IRS Get Transcript Online** - Go to IRS.gov/transcripts. You'll need to verify your identity with a credit card, mortgage, or auto loan info. 5. **Call the automated transcript line** - 800-908-9946 is less congested than the main number. **Only if all else fails:** Call 800-829-1040 right at 7am when they open. Have your SSN, filing status, and 2019 address ready. The online transcript is usually your best bet if you can get through the verification process. Good luck!

Anyone else notice the -$1 and +$1 amounts? Thats kinda weird

Just wanted to add that if you haven't received your refund yet even though code 846 shows 02-13-2025, give it a few more business days. Sometimes there can be delays with direct deposit or mailing depending on your bank or address. The IRS typically says to wait 21 days from the filing date before inquiring about a missing refund. Since your return was filed on 02-24 according to code 150, you're still within that window. If you don't see it by mid-March, then definitely call the IRS hotline!