Does the Statute of Limitations not apply to unfiled returns? I thought the IRS could only go back 3 years for audits and 6 years for substantial underreporting. Is there different SoL criteria for completely unfiled returns versus filed returns with errors?

Just to clarify what others have mentioned - the IRS has no time limit for unfiled returns. I had this happen with returns from 2017 and 2018 that affected my 2022 filing. The key difference between audits and unfiled returns is that the statute of limitations doesn't begin until you actually file. For unfiled returns, the clock never starts ticking. My previous experience taught me to gather wage transcripts directly from the IRS if you're missing documents - they have records of all W-2s and 1099s filed under your SSN.

Tax refund timing is like waiting for a bus in the rain - the schedule says it should be here, but you're still standing there getting wet! I filed through Credit Karma on January 25th and my expected date was February 15th. It actually arrived on February 16th, which wasn't bad. The IRS is like a massive ocean liner - it takes time to change direction or speed up. If your expected date was just yesterday (2/24) and that was a weekend, I'd give it until Wednesday before getting concerned. The banking system is like a series of locks on a canal - each one takes time to process the flow of money.

I received my Credit Karma refund yesterday, exactly on the date they promised. Filed on February 1st, received on February 24th. No delays, no issues. Check your bank account again tomorrow morning. If it doesn't arrive by Wednesday, call the IRS directly. Don't wait longer than that - if there's an issue with your banking information, you want to correct it immediately.

I've noticed Chime deposits hit much faster than traditional banks for tax refunds. My brother uses Bank of America and had to wait the full time until his DDD, while my Chime deposit came 2 days early. It's similar to how payroll direct deposits work - some banks hold the money until the official date while others release it as soon as they get the notification. For a $3,742 refund like yours, that early access can make a huge difference when you're waiting on the money.

Just got my refund yesterday through Chime! My situation was almost identical - transcript showed 2/27 DDD, WMR still on first bar, but the money hit my Chime account yesterday afternoon (2/25). The WMR tool finally updated this morning, a full day AFTER I already had my money. Hang in there, yours is definitely coming soon!

I'd advise caution about making financial plans based on an expected refund date. According to IRS Publication 2043, "The IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days." However, several factors can extend this timeline. In my case last year, I filed on February 8th and didn't receive my refund until April 3rd. The reason? A simple mismatch between my reported W-2 income and what my employer submitted. The IRS never notified me about this verification process, and I only discovered it after multiple calls. I empathize with your situation, especially if you're counting on these funds.

One technical aspect that's often overlooked is the Return Integrity Verification System (RIVS) that examines returns during peak filing season. This automated system performs multiple validation checks including income verification, identity confirmation, and credit eligibility assessment. The RIVS processing can add 7-14 days to standard processing times without generating any status change in the WMR tool. Additionally, if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, your refund is subject to the PATH Act restrictions, which prevent the IRS from issuing refunds before mid-February regardless of filing date.

I had the exact same message from TurboTax last year. They gave me a March 3rd estimated date. My refund actually arrived on March 5th. Pretty close! The key is that you declined their refund advance option (where they charge a fee to get your money faster), so they're just giving you their best guess based on normal IRS processing times. In my experience, they're usually within a week of the actual date.

Instead of relying on TurboTax's estimate, I recommend creating an account on the IRS website to view your actual tax transcript. The transcript will show specific transaction codes that indicate exactly where your return is in processing. Look for code 150 (return filed), 570 (processing hold if present), and ultimately 846 (refund issued). The date next to the 846 code is your actual refund date. This is far more reliable than any estimate from TT or any other tax software.