Word of caution: my neighbor had a similar situation last year and waited patiently for the replacement check. After about 8 weeks, she called to check on status and discovered they had canceled the trace because she supposedly hadn't responded to some letter they sent requesting verification (which she never received). She had to start the whole process over again. Might be worth calling every 2 weeks just to make sure your case is still active in their system?

Based on what I've seen in this community, here's what you can expect with a check trace: • Week 1-2: Trace is entered into system (status will show "received" or "initiated") • Week 3-4: Investigation phase (they verify the check wasn't cashed) • Week 5-6: Approval for replacement (if check wasn't cashed) • Week 6-8: Replacement check issued BUT - if there's any indication the check was cashed (even mistakenly), they'll send you a claim form (FMS 1133) and the timeline extends significantly. If you have urgent medical needs, make sure to mention "hardship" specifically when you call - this can sometimes get your case flagged for expedited processing.

Based on what I've observed in the community, amended returns submitted after January 15, 2024 are currently taking between 16-22 weeks to process. The IRS began addressing their backlog on February 3, 2024, and has been making steady progress. My amended return from March 17th was just accepted on June 5th - exactly 11 weeks and 4 days. The Where's My Amended Return tool typically updates on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so check on those days for the most current information.

Waiting for an amended return is like being stuck in airport security while watching people in the TSA PreCheck line zoom past you. I filed an amended return last year for a similar military housing allowance issue, and after 14 weeks of nothing, I discovered a magical workaround. I contacted my Congressional Representative's office through their constituent services. They have dedicated IRS liaisons who can check status and sometimes nudge things along. Within 10 days of their inquiry, my amendment suddenly processed. It's like having someone cut through all the red tape with industrial scissors.

I think there might be some confusion about what these companies are actually checking. They may say "no credit check" but they're still evaluating risk somehow. I'm wondering if they're looking at your tax filing history or maybe checking other databases. Has anyone noticed if they ask questions about previous filings or employment verification?

The distinction between different types of refund advance products is important to understand. There are no-fee refund advances (RACs - Refund Anticipation Checks) and interest-bearing refund loans (RALs - Refund Anticipation Loans). The former typically don't use traditional FICO scores but may utilize alternative verification methods like ChexSystems or TeleCheck to assess banking history. The latter might incorporate more traditional credit criteria. Are you considering a specific tax preparation service?

You might want to consider alternatives that could potentially be more cost-effective. Perhaps look into filing electronically with direct deposit, which typically results in refunds within 21 days for most taxpayers. It seems like Express1040 might be offering a solution to a problem that doesn't necessarily exist if you're not in immediate need of funds. I'm fairly impressed with how many people here have done the math on the effective interest rates of these advances.

I successfully avoided the RAL (Refund Anticipation Loan) trap by using a fee-free VITA site for my tax preparation and setting up direct deposit. My AGI was $72,000 last year, so I qualified for their free services. I received my full refund in exactly 11 days with no preparation fees or advance charges. The IRS Direct Pay system processed my refund efficiently, and I didn't have to sacrifice any portion of my tax return to a third-party preparer or loan servicer.

For someone who just started self-employment in May, here's what you need to know about each option: H&R Block: Are you comfortable with a straightforward interface that walks you through each section? Their self-employed version costs around $85-110 depending on promotions. Jackson Hewitt: Do you prefer more guidance with fewer bells and whistles? Their pricing is competitive but their online experience isn't as polished. TurboTax: Are you willing to pay more for the most hand-holding? Their Self-Employed version is the most expensive ($120-190) but also the most comprehensive. Whichever you choose, you'll need to complete Schedule C and Schedule SE. The software will calculate your self-employment tax automatically. I appreciate that you're researching this early instead of waiting until April!

Be extremely careful with self-employment taxes! Per IRS Publication 505, you're required to make quarterly estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes. Since you started in May, you may have missed the June 15th and September 15th payment deadlines already. I learned this the hard way my first year - ended up with $430 in penalties for underpayment according to IRC Section 6654(a). The tax software won't warn you about this until it's too late! I was shocked when I discovered this after thinking I was doing everything right.