I've been using Cash App for my tax refunds for the past two years and they've been pretty consistent with the early deposits! Last year I had a DDD of 3/15 and got my refund on 3/13 around 10:30 AM - so about 2 days early. This year my DDD is 3/28 and I'm obsessively checking too! Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like Cash App typically releases refunds 24-48 hours early, but the exact timing can vary based on when the IRS sends the batch and when Cash App processes it. The notifications are reliable though - you'll definitely know when it hits! Fingers crossed we both get ours early this week. Keep us updated on when yours comes through!

I've been using Cash App for tax refunds for three years now and can confirm they're pretty reliable with early deposits! My pattern has been: - 2022: DDD 3/16, received 3/14 (2 days early) - 2023: DDD 3/22, received 3/20 (2 days early) - 2024: DDD 3/18, received 3/17 (1 day early) This year my DDD is 3/28 and I'm in the same obsessive checking boat as you! One tip I've learned - the deposits seem to hit anywhere between 2-8 AM most commonly, though I've seen them as late as early evening too. Cash App's notification system is solid, so you'll know immediately when it arrives. The key thing is that while they're consistent about early deposits, the exact timing can vary based on IRS processing batches and Cash App's internal processing schedule. Good luck with your 3/27 DDD - hopefully you'll see it by 3/25 or 3/26!

I'd also suggest keeping detailed records of all your attempts to get your W-2. Screenshot any emails you send to your former employer requesting it, and keep copies of their responses (or lack thereof). This documentation becomes really important if you need to file Form 4852 or contact the IRS for help. One thing I learned the hard way - don't assume your employer will automatically send your W-2 to a new address. Even if you updated your address with HR before leaving, definitely send them a written request (email is fine) with your current mailing address specifically for tax documents. I've seen too many people miss their W-2s simply because of address mix-ups. Also, check if your employer uses a third-party payroll service like ADP or Paychex. Sometimes you can access your W-2 through their online portals even after termination. Worth looking into before going through the IRS process.

Just to add another perspective - if you're dealing with a particularly difficult former employer, you might want to consider reaching out to your state's Department of Labor as well. While the W-2 issue is primarily an IRS matter, some states have additional protections for workers regarding final pay and documentation. They can sometimes put pressure on employers who are being uncooperative. Also, don't forget that you can estimate your taxes and file even without the W-2 if you have your final pay stub. You'd use Form 4852 (Substitute for Form W-2) which asks for the same information. The key is to be as accurate as possible with your wage and withholding amounts. Keep your final pay stub safe - it's going to be your best friend if your employer tries to play games with your W-2. One last tip: if you do end up having to contact the IRS, try calling early in the morning (around 7-8 AM) when the phone lines open. You'll have much better luck getting through than if you call during peak hours.

I've been through this exact situation! Got a CP24 that dropped my refund from $2,200 to about $150 - turns out I had completely forgotten about a 1099-MISC from some freelance work I did in January. Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was panicking: The CP24 is actually the IRS doing you a favor by catching the mistake before you get in bigger trouble later. They automatically adjusted your return and sent you whatever refund you were actually entitled to. The most important thing right now is to locate that CP24 letter and find the section that shows the line-by-line changes they made. It should clearly show what income they added or what credits they removed. Once you see exactly what they changed, you can decide if you agree or disagree. Since you mentioned a side gig, that's probably exactly what happened - the company that paid you sent a 1099 to the IRS, but you forgot to include it on your return. The added income means more taxes owed, which comes directly out of your refund. Don't stress about the August deadline - you have plenty of time. And honestly, if their changes are correct (which they usually are), you don't need to do anything at all. The adjustment is already final and you got the correct refund amount. Save yourself the H&R Block fee unless you find something genuinely wrong with their calculations!

I've been helping people with CP24 notices for years, and I want to add a few important points that might help clarify things: First, that drop from $1,500 to $9 is actually pretty typical when unreported income is involved. The IRS likely found income that pushed you into a higher tax bracket or made you ineligible for certain refundable credits you claimed. Here's what you should do RIGHT NOW: 1. Look at the detailed breakdown in your CP24 - it will show exactly which line items changed 2. Check if they added income OR removed credits (both can cause massive refund reductions) 3. Gather all your 2023 tax documents, especially any 1099s from that side gig you mentioned The good news is that CP24s are usually straightforward corrections, not the start of an audit. The IRS gets copies of all the 1099s and W-2s issued in your name, so they can spot missing income pretty easily. If their changes are correct (which they usually are), you don't need to respond at all - just accept the corrected refund amount. If you disagree, you'll need to provide documentation proving your original return was accurate. Don't rush to pay a tax pro yet. Start by calling FreeTaxUSA's customer support - they can often explain exactly what happened with your return for free since you're their customer.

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - my previous tax preparer made some costly mistakes with my freelance business deductions, and I've been researching alternatives including Tax Hive. The overwhelming consensus here about enrolled agents is really eye-opening. I had no idea about the IRS directory resource that several people mentioned. What really sells me on this approach is the combination of faster response times (24-48 hours vs weeks), much lower costs ($500-650 vs $1200+), and actual personalized service. Giovanni, it sounds like you've got your answer based on all the real experiences shared here. For someone dealing with business expense issues and LLC conversion questions under deadline pressure, the enrolled agent route seems perfect. Getting immediate consultation and analysis within days rather than waiting a month for Tax Hive to even look at your documents makes all the difference when you're already cutting it close. I'm definitely going to follow everyone's advice and start calling enrolled agents from the IRS directory today. After dealing with one unreliable preparer, having someone who actually returns calls promptly and explains things clearly seems worth way more than any premium branding. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this thread has been a goldmine of practical advice!

I've been following this discussion and as someone who recently went through a similar tax service search, I wanted to add my perspective. The enrolled agent recommendations here are absolutely spot-on - I wish I had found a thread like this when I was researching options last year. What really resonates with me is how consistently everyone mentions the responsiveness factor. After dealing with an unresponsive CPA who left me hanging during tax season, having someone who actually returns calls within 24 hours feels like a luxury. I ended up finding an enrolled agent through the IRS directory (that link Ruby shared is gold!) and the difference has been night and day. For your small business situation, Giovanni, the enrolled agent route makes perfect sense. Mine helped me restructure my business expense reporting and explained the LLC conversion pros and cons in terms I could actually understand. Total cost was around $575 for about 4 hours of work, versus the $1200+ you'd pay Tax Hive just to wait weeks for analysis. The peace of mind of working with someone who's available year-round for questions has been invaluable as my business grows. No more waiting weeks just to get basic tax guidance or worrying about whether my preparer will actually follow through. Based on all the experiences shared here, you really can't go wrong with the enrolled agent approach - better service, faster turnaround, and significant cost savings.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Lucy. Having gone through a similar situation when my stepfather passed and I became the beneficiary of his state pension, I completely understand how overwhelming this feels, especially while you're still grieving. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about Step 2 - definitely check that box since you have a full-time job. The W-4P is entirely about YOUR current tax situation as the new recipient of the pension income. For Step 4(c), I'd echo what others have said about adding extra withholding. I started with $50 per payment and later increased it to $80 after realizing the pension income was larger than I initially expected. You can always adjust this later by submitting a new W-4P if needed. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep detailed records of all your pension payments and withholdings. It made tax time much easier when I had everything organized. Also, consider setting aside a small emergency fund for potential tax obligations - even with proper withholding, beneficiary situations can sometimes have unexpected tax implications. The learning curve is steep, but you're asking all the right questions and getting great advice here. Take it one form at a time, and don't hesitate to reach out to the pension office's beneficiary specialists when you need clarification. You're handling this really well under difficult circumstances.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Lucy. I've been through a similar situation when my uncle passed and I inherited his federal pension benefits. The confusion you're experiencing is completely understandable - these forms aren't designed with beneficiaries in mind. You've gotten excellent advice here already, but I wanted to add one more perspective. When I first filled out my W-4P, I was conservative and only put $25 in Step 4(c) for additional withholding. Big mistake! Come tax time, I owed about $2,800 because the combination of my salary plus the pension income created a much larger tax liability than I anticipated. Since you have a full-time job, definitely check the box in Step 2 as everyone has mentioned. For Step 4(c), based on my experience, I'd actually lean toward the higher end of what others have suggested - maybe $100-125 per payment if the pension is substantial. You can always reduce it later if it's too much. Also, don't forget to consider quarterly estimated tax payments if your pension payments are large. The IRS expects you to pay as you go, and if your withholding isn't sufficient, you might face underpayment penalties even if you eventually pay everything you owe. One last tip: keep a simple log of your monthly pension payments and withholdings. It'll make next year's tax filing much smoother when you have everything documented. Hang in there - you're handling this better than you think!