one thing i wanted to add... check ur state's laws on unfair business practices. in california we have something called the unfair competition law that gives u the right to sue for this exact kind of thing. a lot of states have similar laws. my brother got tricked by one of these tax relief places a few years back... they told him they could fix everything then did nothing but cash his checks. he got a free consult with a consumer rights attorney who took the case on contingency (means they only get paid if u win) and he ended up getting back almost double what he paid bc they have to pay damages in some states. not sure where u live but worth checking if u cant get anywhere with the credit card dispute

I'm really sorry this happened to you - these tax relief scams are unfortunately very common and they specifically target people who are already stressed about their tax situation. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to also report this to your state's consumer protection agency if you haven't already. They often have enforcement powers that can help shut these companies down and sometimes even help recover funds through restitution programs. Also, when you're dealing with the IRS directly (which several people have recommended), make sure to ask about the Fresh Start program if you qualify. It's a legitimate IRS program that can help with payment plans, offers in compromise, and penalty relief. Many of these scam companies promise things that are actually available for free directly through the IRS. Document everything you can about the company - their phone numbers, addresses, website, any other names they operate under. This information can be valuable for law enforcement and other agencies investigating them. Sometimes these companies operate under multiple names to avoid their bad reputation. Keep fighting for your money back - you deserve it after what they put you through!

Pro tip: if you do get through to an agent, be super nice to them. They deal with angry people all day and being friendly can sometimes get you better service. Also, ask for a direct number or extension if possible!

Hang in there @Kayla! The fact that your date moved up is actually a really positive sign - it means they're actively working on your case. Code 570 is frustrating but it's not uncommon, especially with EITC claims like you mentioned. Here's what I'd suggest: Keep checking your transcript every few days for that 571 code (release) that @Nora mentioned. In the meantime, make sure you have copies of all the documents you uploaded ready to go in case they need anything else. And if you do decide to call, try the trick @William mentioned about calling right when they open - I had success doing that around 7 AM. Good luck! 🤞

5 For anyone stressing about EITC refunds - I've filed with EITC for the past 4 years, and it's ALWAYS the same pattern. The IRS holds EITC refunds until mid-February, then releases a huge batch all at once, usually hitting accounts between Feb 17-22. Last year my WMR didn't update until Feb 16th, then suddenly showed approved with a DD date of Feb 18th. The year before was almost the same dates. Just be patient - it's only a couple more weeks now!

3 Has anyone tried checking their transcripts instead of just the WMR tool? I've found that transcripts often update faster than WMR. You need to create an account on irs.gov to access them though.

Just wanted to share that in my experience as an international student who became a resident alien, the tax filing status decision should also consider long-term immigration plans. If you're planning to apply for permanent residency in the future, filing MFJ creates a paper trail that demonstrates your marital relationship, which can be helpful for immigration purposes.

Great question! I'm going through a similar situation right now. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned is timing - if your wife is close to completing her degree or changing visa status, it might make sense to delay the 6013(g) election until her FICA exemption expires naturally. Also, don't forget to factor in state taxes. Some states have different rules for non-resident spouses that could affect your overall tax burden. I'd recommend calculating the total federal + state tax impact for both scenarios before deciding. The IRS Publication 519 has detailed examples of mixed-status couples that might help you work through the calculations. It's dense reading but worth it for understanding all the nuances of your situation.

I experienced the exact same situation with the TC 570/971 combo and no letter arriving. After analyzing my Account Transcript, I noticed the specific Action Code 5071 attached to the 971, which explicitly indicates identity verification is required. On February 22nd, I verified through ID.me without waiting for the letter. My transcript updated with TC 290 on March 1st, followed by TC 571 (reversal of previous hold) on March 3rd. DDD (direct deposit date) code 846 appeared on March 5th with payment scheduled for March 8th. The IRS is currently experiencing a 38% increase in identity verification cases compared to last year due to enhanced fraud prevention measures. Your fluctuating "as of" dates are simply weekly processing cycle updates and don't indicate any problems.

I went through this exact same situation in early February! My ID verification was triggered on 2/8, and like you, I never received the letter despite waiting over 3 weeks. The "as of" date bouncing around is completely normal - it's just their system updating weekly cycles. Here's what worked for me: I called the ID verification line at 800-830-5084 at exactly 7:00 AM on a Tuesday morning. Got through in about 20 minutes (much better than the general IRS line). The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone by asking me questions about my previous tax returns, my SSN, and some basic personal info. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes once I got through. My transcript updated 4 days later showing the hold was released, and my refund was deposited exactly 7 days after that phone call. Don't wait for the letter - it seems like mail delays are really bad this year for these notices. The phone verification is much faster and just as valid. Also, the disconnect between your transcript showing "no return filed" and WMR showing "processing" is totally normal during ID verification holds. The systems don't sync up until the hold is released. Hope this helps ease your worry a bit!