I can provide a complete timeline based on what you're experiencing: - January 27, 2024: Your return was accepted - Mid-February 2024: PATH Act hold was lifted (happened on February 15th) - Current status: 570 code indicates verification in progress - Next 7-10 days: Expect either a 571 code (hold released) or a 971 code (notice issued) - If 571 appears: Refund typically processes within 5-7 days after - If no update by March 19, 2024: That would mark 21 days since PATH Act release, at which point you should contact the IRS The combination of PATH Act message and 570 code is actually quite common for gig workers in the 2024 filing season. The IRS has increased verification procedures for self-employment income this year, but most cases resolve automatically without any action needed.

Be careful with this situation. I had the exact same scenario last year - 570 code with PATH message on WMR. I assumed it would resolve itself and ignored it for weeks. Turns out the IRS was trying to verify my 1099-K income amounts because they didn't match what was reported. The 570 eventually turned into an audit that cost me $450 in tax preparation fees to resolve. If you reported significant gig economy income, especially if you received 1099-K forms, I'd recommend being proactive rather than waiting. The IRS has specifically targeted gig economy workers for increased scrutiny in Tax Year 2023 returns according to their published Compliance Initiatives.

Does anyone know if offsets are applied to amended returns as well? I'm curious because I'm filing an amendment that would increase my refund, but I have old child support arrears. Would they take the additional refund amount too? Also, is there a minimum amount they'll offset? Like if I only owe $50 in arrears, will they still go through the whole offset process or is there some threshold?

Be careful. My offset looked like child support. Wasn't. Was actually old state tax debt. Called TOP number. Got details. Had to contact state revenue department. Took six weeks to resolve. Paperwork got lost twice. Keep records of everything. Take names. Get reference numbers. Don't assume agencies communicate with each other. They don't.

Filed Feb 3rd and got my deposit on Feb 24th. Here's what happened with my WMR experience: • First week: Only showed "Return Received" • Second week: No change, still one bar • Third week: Jumped straight to "Refund Sent" on Feb 22nd • Money showed up Feb 24th Never saw the middle approval bar at all. My sister had the same experience. The system seems to skip steps sometimes.

Think of the IRS processing system like a busy restaurant kitchen during dinner rush. Some orders (simple returns) get prepared quickly and come right out. Others (with credits or deductions) need special preparation and take longer. And sometimes the kitchen gets backed up regardless of when you placed your order. The February 2nd filing date puts you in the early-middle of the rush - not first in line, but not late either. The amended paperwork is like adding a special request after your order was already in the kitchen - it might cause them to pull your order back for adjustment.

What we're seeing is the IRS's batch processing system at work. Think of it like a train schedule - returns get loaded into specific trains that run on set days. Your 1/29 filing date put you in the early February processing cycle, which typically completes mid-to-late February. The Maryland deposit hitting same-day as transcript update is like catching an express connection - sometimes the timing just works out perfectly when state and federal systems are in sync.

While direct deposit is certainly the fastest method, those who selected paper checks should expect an additional 7-10 business days beyond their DDD. Unlike electronic refunds which follow a strict timeline, paper checks can experience postal delays. For comparison, I received my electronic federal refund on the exact DDD last year, but my paper state refund took 12 days beyond the stated processing date.

Want to know the real scam? These tax prep companies literally lobby Congress to keep taxes complicated so we HAVE to use their services! Did you know that in many other countries, the government just sends you a pre-filled form with all your info already on it? You just verify it's correct and you're done! But here we are, debating whether to pay $89 for something that should be free. That said, with investments you made the right call - the premium features are actually useful for complex situations. Just frustrating that we're forced into this position in the first place, isn't it?

I've used both free and paid versions for years. TurboTax is absolutely gouging you, but they also know exactly what they're doing. With 50+ investment transactions, you made the right call. The free version would have either missed deductions or had you pulling your hair out. I was shocked to learn how much the tax code favors investors who know the rules, and the premium version actually helps you find those advantages. It's a broken system, but you're playing it smart.