I was probably in a somewhat similar situation last month. Filed on January 22nd and was getting, like, really worried after waiting almost 8 weeks with no updates. I finally got through to an agent who told me my return was essentially just sitting in a queue waiting to be processed - no issues or flags. They said it might take a few more weeks, but my refund actually showed up about 4 days after that call. Sometimes just making contact seems to possibly move things along, at least in my experience.

I reached an IRS agent on March 12th after filing on January 25th. The secret is calling at 7:00 AM Eastern precisely. Not 7:01, not 6:59. Exactly at 7:00 when their systems come online. My issue was they needed to verify my identity because I had moved since my last filing. Once verified, my refund was issued on March 22nd. If you filed with a different address than your previous return, this could be your issue. The IRS is currently processing returns from mid-February according to their latest update on April 3rd.

There's an important distinction to make here: Transaction Code 971 simply indicates a notice was generated, but it doesn't specify which type. According to IRS Internal Revenue Manual 21.5.6.4.35.1, notices can take 7-10 business days to arrive after the date shown on the transcript. Additionally, if you've moved in the past year or filed with a different address than previous returns, this could further delay delivery. The absence of the notice in your online account is common, as the IRS digital systems often lag behind their paper-based processes by several business days.

Have we collectively considered how inefficient this system really is? In 2024, we're still waiting for paper letters that may or may not arrive, with codes that may or may not tell us what's happening with our money? The community wisdom here is clear: don't panic about 971 codes, but do be proactive. Check for companion codes on your transcript. Sign up for Informed Delivery. Make sure your address is current with the IRS. And perhaps most importantly, document everything. When did the code appear? What other codes appeared with it? This documentation becomes valuable if you need to prove timelines later.

I was in your friend's shoes three years in a row - tax time was just disappointment time for me 😂 (not really funny when you're counting on that money though). Finally got it sorted last year and actually received my full refund this February! The key was finding out it was an old state tax debt from when I moved between states. I set up a payment plan with my former state's revenue department, made consistent payments for 6 months, and then requested they release me from the offset program. Tell your friend not to give up - it feels amazing to finally break the cycle and actually get your refund!

I've helped several family members through this exact situation. Here's my experience with the process: 1. The TOP hotline will only give basic information - which agency has the debt and how much 2. Each type of debt has different resolution options: - Federal student loans: rehabilitation programs or consolidation - Child support: must work with state child support agency - State taxes: contact that state's department of revenue - Federal taxes: IRS payment plans or Offer in Compromise 3. Some debts can be disputed if they're incorrect 4. Once arrangements are made, get written confirmation that the debt holder will remove the offset It takes persistence but is absolutely resolvable. The worst thing your friend can do is ignore it, as interest and penalties often continue to accrue.

You might want to consider FreeTaxUSA as a possible middle ground. They generally charge around $15 for state filing, but federal filing with Schedule C is completely free. Their interface is perhaps a bit more comprehensive than Cash App Tax, though admittedly not quite as polished as H&R Block. Many users find their guidance for self-employment income to be reasonably thorough, especially if you're somewhat familiar with the basic principles of business expense deductions.

I compared multiple platforms for my DoorDash income ($18K last year). Here's what I found: • Cash App Tax: Free but confusing UI for business expenses • H&R Block: $89.99 but caught all deductions • TurboTax: $119 and pushy upsells • FreeTaxUSA: $15 (state only) with decent guidance The Cash App interface literally asked me ONE question about mileage while H&R Block had a comprehensive section covering everything from hot bags to phone mounts. Ended up with $1,200 more in deductions with H&R Block.

Be extremely careful about how you submit your W2! Last year my sister faxed her W2 to what she thought was the right department, but it wasn't properly routed to her case. Her refund was delayed for 5 months, and she had to start the verification process all over again in June. Did your tax preparer specifically tell you which form or notice number you received? Was it a CP05, CP75, or something else? Have you checked your online account at IRS.gov to see if there's a specific notice?

I successfully resolved this exact issue last month! (Tax season: where the odds are never in your favor, lol.) I asked my tax preparer for the specific notice number, called the IRS using the number on that notice, and they provided the exact fax number for my case. I sent my W2 with a copy of the notice and received confirmation of processing within 10 days. My refund was deposited exactly 16 days after faxing the documents. Make sure you get a fax confirmation page and keep it until your refund arrives!

Based on what I've gathered from the community over several tax seasons, Navy Federal might possibly show pending deposits, but it's generally not their standard practice for government payments. In most cases, members report that their tax refunds simply appear as available funds at midnight on their scheduled DDD. It seems to be a fairly consistent pattern, though there are occasional exceptions where some members have reported seeing pending status a few hours before midnight. Your best approach would likely be to check shortly after midnight rather than expecting to see a pending notification today.

Oh my goodness, I remember the EXACT feeling of waiting for my Navy Federal deposit last year! I was checking my phone every 15 minutes like it was going to change something! 😫 For what it's worth, my deposit hit my account at 12:03am on my DDD date - not a minute before. Navy Federal is super reliable for making funds available right at midnight, but they rarely show pending status for tax refunds. If you're really anxious (I totally get it!), set an alarm for midnight and check then. I bet you'll see your money! 💰

Just checked my Chase account at 3:42pm today and my refund finally appeared as pending! Had the same April 13th DDD. SBTPG website still shows unfunded though, so their tracker is definitely behind. Expecting the money to be available by April 12th based on previous years.

I've been through this process maybe 5 or 6 times now, and it seems like SBTPG is holding funds longer than they used to. Last year my refund hit Chase about 36 hours before my DDD, but this year it's cutting it much closer. Probably due to increased volume or additional verification steps they're implementing.

I received a CP75 examination notice (which is a form of 60-day review) approximately 47 days after submitting my amended return. The notice specifically requested additional documentation for Schedule C expenses and itemized deductions. Be aware that these notices often have response deadlines that begin from the date of issuance rather than receipt, so monitor your mail vigilantly. If you've established an online account with the IRS, I recommend checking your transcript for transaction code 424, which indicates an examination has been initiated, or code 570, which indicates a hold has been placed on your account pending review.

It might be worth noting that, in my experience, verification notices for amended returns seem to be taking longer than usual this filing season. I received mine after approximately 52 days, though this may not necessarily be representative of everyone's experience. The IRS appears to be prioritizing standard returns over amendments, which could potentially explain some of the delays people are reporting. If you haven't received correspondence after 60 days, it might be prudent to contact the IRS, though be prepared for potentially significant wait times when calling.

I believe there might be a slight misunderstanding about how DDDs work. The date shown on the transcript is when the IRS releases the payment to the Treasury Department. The Treasury then initiates the ACH transfer to your friend's bank. Her bank may then have its own processing time. This multi-step process typically takes 1-3 business days, though it can sometimes be completed same-day. It's probably still in process.

Is this the first time your friend has received a tax refund via direct deposit to this particular account? I'm wondering if there could be an issue with the account information. Has she double-checked that the last four digits of the account on her tax return match her actual account?

I successfully navigated this exact issue last month! Code 1581 means identity verification. I waited 5 days for the letter, but got impatient and called the IRS directly. After 2 hours on hold, the agent confirmed I needed to verify and directed me to ID.me. Completed verification that same day, and my refund was processed exactly 8 days later. Don't wait for the letter if you don't have to - being proactive saved me at least 2 weeks of waiting!

Just to add some additional info that nobody's mentioned yet - code 1581 is part of the IRS's Taxpayer Protection Program (TPP). It's actually a good thing in a weird way - means your return had certain characteristics that *could* indicate fraud, but they're giving you the chance to verify it's legitimate. The funny thing is, sometimes the most straightforward, honest returns get flagged while complex ones sail through! 😂 The verification process has been streamlined this year compared to previous tax seasons, so it's not as painful as it used to be.