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Not to be the bearer of bad news, but you might want to start planning as if you won't get this money back in time for your move. π¬ The government moves at the speed of... well, government. Alternative approach: If you're still actively enrolled, contact your school's VA office or military student services. Many have emergency funds specifically for military families in transition. Also check with Army Emergency Relief or the equivalent for your branch - they often provide interest-free loans for PCS expenses when government reimbursements are delayed. Much faster than waiting for the offset refund!
Thank you so much for mentioning the military resources! I didn't even think about checking with AER. That's really helpful while I wait for this offset mess to get sorted out.
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Do you know if the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society offers something similar? My spouse is active duty Marines and we're in a similar situation with an offset that shouldn't have happened.
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I successfully recovered an improper offset last year! Submitted my documentation on March 12th, 2023, received confirmation of error on April 8th, and had the full refund direct deposited on May 23rd. The key was providing irrefutable documentation - I submitted my enrollment verification showing continuous enrollment, my original loan promissory note highlighting the deferment provisions, and a letter from my academic advisor confirming my credit hours. The refund came through exactly 72 days after my initial submission. Keep detailed records of every communication and be prepared to follow up regularly.
Did you have to pay any fees or penalties associated with the improper offset? I'm concerned about potential administrative costs that might be deducted from the refunded amount.
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The WMR DD date is reliable about 95% of the time. Mark your calendar for March 13, but also check March 12 since some banks release funds early. If March 14 comes and you don't have your money, don't panic - call the IRS. The amendment you mentioned likely didn't affect processing time because you made it before final submission. That's different from filing a 1040X after the fact, which takes months to process.
Have you taken these steps to verify everything is in order? 1. Check your tax transcript on IRS.gov to confirm the refund amount 2. Verify your bank account details are correct in your tax return 3. Look for code 846 on your transcript which confirms the refund has been scheduled Did you receive any letters from the IRS after you filed? I'm trying to determine if your amendment was processed as part of your original return or as a separate transaction.
I was in almost the exact same boat three weeks ago! Filed on Feb 10th, got the 810 code, panicked a bit (okay, a lot π ), called the IRS and they also told me no verification needed. I kept checking my transcript obsessively - which I don't recommend unless you enjoy watching paint dry. Then last Friday, boom! The freeze was lifted and my direct deposit hit my account on Monday. No explanation, no additional steps required. Sometimes the IRS works in mysterious ways, but they do eventually work. Hang in there!
Just to clarify one important point: when the IRS agent told you that you don't need to verify, did they specifically mention the 810 code? Or did they just say there's nothing you need to do right now? The distinction matters because sometimes representatives don't see all freeze codes if they're looking at a different screen. Based on my experience, you should expect exactly 21 days from the date the 810 code appeared on your transcript before seeing movement. If you're leaving in 30 days, you should be fine, but I'd recommend calling again on day 22 if nothing has changed.
I understand how frustrating this situation must be, especially after your previous experiences with Missouri. Here's what I recommend based on helping others in similar situations: β’ E-file both returns if you haven't already submitted them β’ Keep digital and physical copies of EVERYTHING (confirmation numbers, acknowledgments, etc.) β’ For Illinois: Use MyTax Illinois portal to track your refund status β’ For Missouri: Use their Return Inquiry System AND save screenshots of your inquiry β’ Set calendar reminders to check status every 2 weeks β’ If no Missouri refund after 8 weeks, contact them immediately The good news is that both states have improved their electronic processing significantly since 2022. The bad news is that Missouri still struggles with proper documentation of paper returns. Your situation sounds particularly challenging given the previous issues, but with proper documentation this time, you should be able to resolve any problems much more quickly.
I've dealt with this exact situation with Missouri for the past three tax seasons. Here's what I learned the hard way: Step 1: NEVER file paper returns with Missouri if you can avoid it. Their paper processing center has a 30-40% error rate according to a DOR employee I spoke with. Step 2: If you must file paper (some situations require it), send it certified mail with return receipt AND make a complete photocopy first. Step 3: After 45 days, if no update appears online, call them directly. Don't wait longer - their system often shows "no return found" even when they have it. Step 4: If they claim they never received it, immediately send a copy with a cover letter referencing your certified mail tracking number. I'm skeptical of quick fixes, but following this process has worked for me after losing two refunds in previous years. The system is fundamentally broken, but you can navigate it with enough persistence.
I worked through this exact issue last month. Here's what fixed it for me: 1. Clear your browser cache completely 2. Try using Microsoft Edge specifically (worked when Chrome and Firefox failed) 3. Make sure you're going directly to michigan.gov/taxes/individual and not through a search engine link 4. Have your MI-1040 form in front of you - you'll need specific line numbers 5. If you get an error during submission, don't refresh - instead, open a new browser window and start over 6. If all else fails, call 517-636-4486 but be prepared for a 1-2 hour wait The verification went through on my third attempt following these steps.
Be careful with how many times you attempt verification! My cousin kept trying over and over with the Michigan site, and after his 10th attempt, his account got locked for 48 hrs due to "suspicious activity." Then he had to call to get it unlocked which was another whole nightmare. MI Treasury told him they've been having probs w/ their verification system since they upgraded in Jan. Might be worth waiting a day before trying again if you've already made multiple attempts today. Just FYI so you don't end up in verification limbo like he did.
Don't wait for the letter at all! I went through this exact nightmare last year. The IRS told me they sent a letter. Waited 6 weeks. Nothing came. I finally gave up waiting and called the appointment line (844-545-5640). Told them I never got my letter but needed to verify. They booked me anyway! When I went to my appointment, I just explained I never received the letter. They looked me up in their system, saw I needed verification, and proceeded normally. My refund was released 8 days later. The letters are so backed up it's ridiculous! I actually received mine TWO MONTHS after my verification was complete and refund received. What a joke.
It seems like the consensus here is that you should probably call for an appointment rather than attempting to walk in. I've heard from several colleagues that the TACs are generally quite strict about the appointment policy, though there might be some variation depending on your local office. As for documentation, it would be advisable to bring perhaps more than you think you'll need. This would likely include: your government-issued photo ID, social security card, copies of your current tax return, possibly previous years' returns, any correspondence you've received from the IRS (even if not the specific verification letter), and utility bills or other proof of address. The verification process itself is usually relatively straightforward once you're actually at your appointment, from what I understand. The real challenge appears to be securing that appointment in the first place.
Is anyone else concerned about how the IRS seems to have completely different systems that don't talk to each other? I'm skeptical that a return can be "accepted" but then show no record of filing for 45+ days. Shouldn't acceptance mean it's in their system? This feels like a fundamental technology failure that they're just expecting taxpayers to deal with. Every other financial institution I deal with can show real-time transaction status.
Omg this is SO common with biz returns! The IRS has like 3 diff systems that don't sync up. My CPA explained that the acceptance is just from the initial receiving system (kinda like getting a ticket number at the DMV) but then it has to go thru actual processing before hitting the transcript db. Last yr my S-corp return took 53 days to show up in transcripts after being "accepted" and another 2 wks for the refund. The WMR tool is basically useless for anything but the simplest returns. The whole thing is ridic outdated but Congress keeps cutting their tech budget so π€·ββοΈ
This is EXACTLY what my accountant told me too! He said the IRS has multiple legacy systems from different decades that don't communicate well with each other. The initial acceptance is just their EDI gateway, but then it has to go through their main processing pipeline before hitting the transcript database. It's shocking how outdated their infrastructure is!
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I think I've read somewhere that the IRS is still running some systems on COBOL programming from the 1960s? That might explain why everything seems so disconnected and slow.
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Oh no, I feel your pain! I had this EXACT same issue last semester and nearly missed my tuition deadline. The most efficient solution I found was to use Chime's "Pay Friends" feature to send the money to someone you trust (like a parent or very close friend) who has a different bank. They can then withdraw the full amount and give it to you in cash. I was so stressed about this but it worked perfectly! The transfers are instant if they're already in your Chime contacts. Just make sure they understand what you're doing beforehand so they don't think it's some kind of scam or mistake when they suddenly get a large sum from you!
According to Chime's support page (https://help.chime.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004320868-What-are-the-daily-spending-limits-with-my-Chime-Visa-Debit-Card-), you might be able to work around this by doing a "cash back" transaction at a grocery store. I've done this before when I needed more than the ATM limit would allow. Just buy something small like a pack of gum, then ask for the maximum cash back they'll allow. Walmart sometimes allows up to $100-$200 cash back per transaction. You could do multiple transactions in the same day at different stores to get more of your money. Just be a bit careful as some stores might find it suspicious if you do too many back-to-back transactions.
Be careful with prepaid cards and tax refunds. Back in 2022, I had my refund sent to a prepaid card and there was an issue with the routing number. The IRS said they sent it, the card company said they never received it, and I was stuck in limbo for 8 weeks. Had to file Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) and wait another 6 weeks for them to trace it. Eventually got it, but the stress wasn't worth it. Now I always use a traditional bank account even though it means waiting the full time.
Direct deposit to credit union accounts is another option. Many credit unions post ACH deposits early too. Mine consistently posts tax refunds 1 day before the official date. Less fees than prepaid cards. More consumer protections too.
Jenna Sloan
The Notice Issuance Timeframe (NIT) for code 971 has been significantly extended this filing season due to IRS resource allocation constraints. While the Transaction Code Database (TCDB) updates immediately when a notice is generated, the Physical Notice Distribution System (PNDS) is operating with a 14-21 day lag in many processing centers. I can assure you this is normal for the current processing environment and doesn't necessarily indicate any serious issues with your return.
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Christian Burns
Do you know if this varies by processing center? My return was processed at the Austin center according to the first three digits of my DLN.
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Sasha Reese
Just to clarify something I've seen in a few comments - the 971 code itself doesn't tell you what type of notice was issued. It's just an indicator that *some* notice was generated. The specific notice type (CP05, CP12, etc.) can sometimes be determined by looking at other codes on your transcript or the cycle date pattern, but often you really do have to wait for the actual letter to know what's happening. My notice took 18 days to arrive after the 971 appeared last month.
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