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Anyone else still waiting? I filed January 29th and still nothing... the "Where's My Refund" tool just says it's processing. No explanation, no timeline. So frustrating!!
Did you claim EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit? Those always take longer - the IRS by law can't release those refunds before mid-February regardless of when you filed.
Anyone use the IRS2Go app to check refund status? Is it accurate? Mine has been saying "still processing" for 2 weeks even tho my tax preparer said everything was filed correctly.
I use it every year and find it pretty accurate. "Still processing" usually means your return is in the queue but hasn't been reviewed yet. Don't worry too much unless it's been more than 21 days since you e-filed.
The app just pulls the same data as the Where's My Refund tool on the website. If you're seeing "still processing" after 2 weeks, it might be worth calling the IRS. Sometimes there are verification issues they need to resolve but they don't always notify you proactively.
Did you file your Form 990 while waiting for 501(c)(3) determination? A lot of new nonprofits don't realize you still need to file some type of 990 (usually 990-N for small orgs) even while your 1023 is pending. If you missed filing for 3 consecutive years, that could trigger automated notices like what you're describing.
This is such an important point! I volunteer with several small nonprofits and this is the #1 mistake I see. Even if you're waiting on 501(c)(3) determination, you absolutely must file your 990. The IRS doesn't automatically connect your 1023 application with your filing requirements.
One small additional tip - call your Secretary of State's office in MA to confirm your nonprofit corporation status is in good standing. Sometimes these IRS notices happen because there's a problem at the state level (like a missed annual report) that hasn't been communicated to you directly. Take photos of EVERYTHING you send to the IRS and keep detailed notes of every call (date, time, agent ID if they give one). You'll need this documentation if things get more complicated. Also, I'd seriously consider getting a consultation with a nonprofit tax attorney. Most will do a 30-minute consult for a reasonable fee, and having someone who can look at your specific situation could save you thousands in the long run.
Thank you, I'll definitely check with the MA Secretary of State tomorrow. Do you have any recommendations for finding a nonprofit tax attorney who won't charge a fortune? Our budget is already stretched thin with all this paperwork.
Check with your local community foundation or nonprofit resource center - many offer free or low-cost legal referrals for new nonprofits. Also look into law schools in your area, as many have nonprofit law clinics where supervised students provide free assistance. Another option is Pro Bono Partnership or Lawyers Alliance if you're in an area they serve. They specifically match nonprofits with attorneys who volunteer their time. Just Google them plus your area to see if they operate near you.
One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you filed through a tax preparer like H&R Block or TurboTax, sometimes they have additional tools or resources to help track your refund or explain statuses like Tax Topic 152. I had this same issue last year and when I logged into my TurboTax account, they had more detailed tracking info than the IRS website provided. Plus they had an explanation of what Tax Topic 152 usually means for different filing situations.
Which tax software gives the most detailed tracking? I used FreeTaxUSA this year and their tracking doesn't seem to have any more info than the IRS site.
In my experience, TurboTax and H&R Block tend to have the most detailed tracking features built into their apps and websites. They pull data from the IRS but present it in a more user-friendly format with better explanations. FreeTaxUSA is great for filing affordably, but their after-filing support isn't as robust as the premium services. TaxAct falls somewhere in the middle - better tracking than FreeTaxUSA but not quite as comprehensive as TurboTax.
Tax Topic 152 actually showed up on my return status for about 3 weeks last year. I claimed both EIC and the Child Tax Credit. The bars disappeared and I got that topic message instead. I freaked out at first, but then my refund suddenly appeared in my account with no other updates or notices. The WMR tool never even updated to "approved" status for me - it went straight from Topic 152 to "refund sent" after it was already in my account. So sometimes the system just doesn't update properly even though your refund is being processed normally. The IRS systems are ridiculously outdated.
That's actually reassuring! Did you do anything special to get your refund moving or did it just suddenly appear one day? I'm hoping mine moves along without me having to do anything.
Just to add another perspective - I amended a return last year using TurboTax and it wasn't too difficult. If you filed your original return with tax software, check if they offer an amendment service. Often they can pull your original information and you just need to make the changes. Keep in mind that amended returns take FOREVER to process right now. Mine took almost 9 months to be processed completely. But at least you'll be in compliance and avoid those penalties others mentioned.
9 months?! That's insane. Does that mean I won't get the additional refund (if there is one) for that long? Or would I likely owe more since a W2 was missing?
It really depends on what was on that missing W2. If there was a lot of withholding on it, you might be owed an additional refund. If there wasn't much withholding compared to the income, you'll probably owe more tax. And yes, unfortunately the wait times are crazy long now. If you're owed money, you'll have to wait until they process the amendment to get it. If you owe more, you should pay it when you file the amendment to minimize interest and penalties, even though they'll take forever to actually process the paperwork.
Don't forget that if you and your ex are still splitting the refund, you'll need to work out how this amendment affects that split. If you end up owing money instead of getting more back, who's responsible for paying it? Make sure you have that conversation before filing the amendment to avoid more drama later. Also save copies of EVERYTHING. My ex "lost" all our tax documents after our divorce and it was a nightmare sorting it out. Make sure you have your own copies of the original return, the W2s, and the amendment.
Aria Khan
4 Just a friendly reminder for all small business owners - even though you don't need to file Form 940 without employees, don't forget about your state tax obligations! Some states have different requirements for business entities even without employees. When I started my business, I had to register with my state's department of revenue and file certain state-specific forms annually.
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Aria Khan
ā¢3 This is a really good point. Does anyone know if California has additional requirements beyond the federal stuff? I'm moving my small business there next month.
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Aria Khan
ā¢4 California has several additional requirements. You'll likely need to register with the California Secretary of State, possibly get a seller's permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) if you're selling tangible goods, and pay an annual LLC fee if you're structured as an LLC (even with just one owner and no employees). They also have a mandatory annual $800 minimum franchise tax for LLCs, corporations, and partnerships, which catches many new business owners by surprise. I'd recommend checking with the California Tax Service Center website as soon as you move to make sure you're compliant from day one.
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Aria Khan
16 Question: since I just opened my small business this year (LLC, just me so far), should I be setting aside money for unemployment taxes for myself just in case? I've been putting 30% aside for regular income taxes, but not sure if I should add more for unemployment.
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Aria Khan
ā¢15 You don't pay unemployment taxes for yourself as a business owner. Unemployment insurance is designed to protect employees, not business owners. As a self-employed person, you're not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits if your business fails. If you want protection against potential loss of income, look into private income protection insurance policies designed for self-employed individuals. The 30% you're setting aside for income taxes and self-employment taxes (Schedule SE) is a good start, but you might want to consider additional personal savings for emergencies rather than worrying about unemployment taxes.
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