The community wisdom on this one is pretty clear - you're in the normal processing queue and everything sounds on track! We see these "wrong info" messages every tax season, especially in the first 72 hours after filing. Think of it as the IRS's computer system having its morning coffee before getting to work 😂. The fact you got approved for the advance is actually a good sign since they've verified your basic eligibility. Most folks here will tell you the same thing: give it 2-3 days before worrying. Your refund timeline for EIC/CTC is typically 21 days from acceptance (not submission), so mark your calendar from when you get that acceptance confirmation.

I filed on January 29th this year with almost the identical situation - EIC, child credit, and got a tax advance. Had the same "info wrong" message on January 30th. By February 1st, everything was showing correctly in the system. My advance hit on February 2nd as scheduled, and my full refund was deposited on February 19th. The timing worked out perfectly because I needed the advance for a security deposit on February 5th, and then used the full refund to pay off some bills. Just wanted to share a successful timeline to give you some peace of mind!

According to Internal Revenue Code §6402(m) and the PATH Act provisions under §201 of Public Law 114-113, the IRS is required to hold refunds for returns claiming certain credits until at least February 15th. However, your situation is different since you filed after this date. The appearance of the PATH message indicates your return has entered the verification stage where they confirm eligibility for the Child Tax Credit. I empathize with your frustration - the system isn't very transparent about where exactly your return stands in the process. Many international filers experience additional verification steps, but these are typically completed within the standard 21-day window.

Let me walk you through what's happening with the PATH message: 1. When you first file: System shows "Return Received" 2. After basic processing: System shows PATH message for any return with certain credits 3. During verification: Still shows PATH message (no updates) 4. When approved: Changes to "Refund Approved" 5. When sent: Changes to "Refund Sent" The PATH message doesn't mean you're just waiting for some arbitrary date to pass - it means your return is actively being processed but is in a special queue for returns with credits. Have you tried checking your tax transcript instead of WMR? Sometimes that shows processing codes that give more insight into where your return actually is in the system.

Colorado resident here who's been through this rodeo many times. Here's what I've learned: - Colorado DOR generally starts accepting returns same day as IRS (Jan 22 this year) - They don't always announce this clearly on their website - Direct deposit refunds typically come 3-4 weeks after acceptance for simple returns - If you claimed certain credits (like Enterprise Zone) expect delays - Paper returns take 8-12 weeks minimum - The "Where's My Refund" tool on the CO DOR site updates very infrequently I filed on January 24th this year and my status just changed to "approved" yesterday.

I called Colorado DOR on January 23rd, 2024 specifically about this. The agent confirmed they began accepting returns on January 22nd, 2024. She also mentioned they're experiencing higher volume this year and estimated 4-5 weeks for electronic returns with direct deposit. Last year I filed on February 5th and received my refund on March 1st, so exactly 24 days. The year before was February 8th filing and March 10th refund. They're fairly consistent if your return doesn't have any issues or special circumstances. The most frustrating part is their refund status tool barely works!

I think there might be some confusion about the process here. If someone has claimed your child without permission, it's not technically identity theft in most cases, but rather an improper dependent claim. Identity theft would be if someone used your child's SSN to create fake income. The resolution process is somewhat different, though both are handled by the IRS. You'll likely need to paper file your return and possibly go through an audit process where both parties claiming the child will need to provide documentation proving their right to claim the dependent.

Have you checked your child's credit report? If someone has your child's SSN, they might be using it for more than just taxes. How did you discover that someone else claimed your child? Did you get a rejection when trying to e-file, or did you receive a notice from the IRS?

OMG I was literally OBSESSED with that PATH message last year! 😫 I checked WMR like 20 times a day! The PATH message showed up on February 15th and my transcript showed N/A for WEEKS. I was freaking out because I needed that money for my car payment. Finally on March 22nd my transcript updated with a 846 code and I got my refund on March 27th. The whole time WMR just showed that same PATH message. So frustrating! The technical explanation is that your return is in the processing queue but not necessarily finished being processed.

PATH message isn't final. Just means you claimed credits. Processing still happening. Could be days. Could be weeks. Transcript more accurate than WMR. Check for 846 code. That's what matters. Forum's quiet because IRS processing faster this year for most people. Less drama. Less posts.