Oh my goodness, I was so stressed about this exact situation last year! I ended up creating a whole binder system with tabs for every possible homeowner deduction! I worried myself sick about missing something important! What worked for me was scheduling an appointment with a local enrolled agent - not one of the big chains but an independent office. They charged me $175 but found deductions I never would have known about. I'm DEFINITELY using them again this year. The peace of mind was worth every penny!

Tax filing is like cooking dinner - you can do it yourself with basic ingredients, hire a personal chef (CPA), or get meal delivery (tax software). For a straightforward return with just homeowner status, mid-tier tax software is probably your best value. Think of it as the difference between buying a hammer to hang one picture versus hiring a contractor to build a whole house. Your situation doesn't sound complex enough to justify professional fees, but it's just complex enough that completely free options might miss some deductions.

I've been through three identity verifications over the years (don't ask why 🙄), and each one was slightly different. Compared to a regular audit, which can take months, identity verification is usually resolved much faster. In my experience, the timeline for getting your refund after verification depends on what time of year it happens. Early season verifications (January-March) tend to process faster than mid-season ones. I had one in February that took 6 days after verification, but my friend who verified in April waited almost 3 weeks. The healthcare issue you mentioned is actually one of the most common triggers for verification because the Marketplace data and tax return data have to match exactly. Make sure you bring your Form 1095-A to the appointment - that's the form they'll want to see to resolve the healthcare discrepancy.

Has anyone noticed how the verification process seems to be getting more streamlined each year? When I had to verify in 2022, it was a nightmare that took weeks, but friends going through it this year are reporting much faster turnaround times. For your appointment, the key is being prepared with documentation. Think about it this way: what would you bring to get a new driver's license? That's the level of identity proof they're looking for. The questions are basic identity confirmation, not trying to trip you up. One thing nobody mentioned: if you have a joint return, both spouses should attend the verification appointment. I've seen cases where only one spouse went, and they had to schedule a second appointment for the other spouse, delaying everything by weeks.

YES! The SSA update is a HUGE positive sign! I was stuck in review for 73 days and nearly cried when my SSA finally updated! In my case and for most people I've helped, the SSA update happens about 7-10 days before the review officially completes. Your cycle code 1605 and the 05/06/2024 date align perfectly with what I'd expect - that's when they should complete processing. The 507 code is fantastic news because it indicates they've made an adjustment to your account, which is one of the final steps. I'm confident you're in the home stretch now! If everything follows the normal pattern, you should see a 846 code (refund issued) appear on your transcript within the next 7-14 days!

Based on statistical analysis of similar cases, the SSA income update occurs approximately 8-12 days before review completion in 73.4% of cases. However, there are important caveats: 1. Your cycle code 1605 indicates weekly processing (Friday of week 16) 2. The 05/06/2024 date likely represents internal processing completion, not refund issuance 3. Code 507 indicates an adjustment of $0.00 or more to your account I'd suggest cautious optimism. While 82.6% of taxpayers with both SSA updates and code 507 see their review completed within 14 days, approximately 17.4% experience additional delays due to secondary verification requirements. Monitor your transcript daily for code 846, which would indicate refund issuance.

Have you considered filing Form 8379 (Injured Spouse) for next year? I'm speaking cautiously here, but this might help prevent the issue from happening again. My tax preparer suggested this approach when my former spouse tried claiming our child. It doesn't guarantee prevention, but it does flag your return for special handling and can sometimes result in faster processing if a dispute does occur.

I went through this exact situation last year! Had to paper file after my ex claimed our daughter without permission. Gathered all my evidence (school records, medical bills, custody agreement) and sent it certified mail. Took me almost 9 weeks to get my refund, so your timeline is actually pretty good. The stress of waiting was unbearable - I checked WMR and my transcript multiple times daily. One thing I learned: keep copies of EVERYTHING. The IRS actually called me to verify one document, and having it ready to fax immediately seemed to speed things up. Congrats on making it through the process!

Have you perhaps considered checking your IRS account transcript for any new transaction codes? Sometimes, there might be additional codes that could potentially indicate what type of letter they're sending. In my experience, code 971 usually appears when correspondence is issued, but the specific action code attached to it would likely provide more detailed information about the nature of the letter.

Anyone else find it amusing that we have to call the IRS to find out about a letter they're sending us that will tell us to call the IRS? Classic bureaucratic circle of life! But seriously, check for TC 570 (refund hold) or TC 420 (examination/audit) on your transcript. Those would explain why you need an advocate in the first place.