Let me clarify something important - amended returns don't work on a stack system like you're imagining. It's more like a conveyor belt with multiple inspection stations. Your return is somewhere on that belt, but certain issues can cause it to be pulled aside for additional review. The 9-month mark is definitely concerning, but not entirely unusual in the current environment. What's important is whether your amended return was properly received and entered into their system. Have you checked the Where's My Amended Return tool on the IRS website? If it shows as "received," then at least you know it's in their system.

I keep a spreadsheet of all my tax submissions like I'm tracking packages during Christmas shopping season 😂 My amended return from March 2023 took exactly 13 months to process. The funny thing is, after nothing for a year, it suddenly went from "received" to "completed" and I had my refund within 8 days. The IRS amended return department is like that friend who never texts back but then suddenly shows up at your door without warning!

I had exactly the same issue last year and waited exactly 9 days with my money already in my account but WMR still showing processing. I tried calling the IRS to make sure everything was actually finalized (was worried they might take the money back!) but couldn't get through after 127 minutes on hold. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in 18 minutes who confirmed everything was complete on their end and the WMR tool just hadn't caught up yet. Saved me hours of waiting and worrying about whether my case was actually closed.

WMR is notoriously unreliable during peak filing season. Many taxpayers experience this disconnect between actual deposit and status updates. Always verify deposit dates on your transcript (cycle code 20240905) rather than relying on WMR. The IRS prioritizes payment processing over status updates. Check your account transcript for TC 846 code - that's your actual refund issued confirmation. The status tool is simply the last priority in their workflow.

Got thru to the IRS last month for my penalty abatement! Here's what worked: - Called the # on my notice (not the main IRS #) - Used phone menu option for "payment questions" not "tax help" - Called at 8:15am ET on a Tues (mid-week is less busy) - Had my notice, SSN, filing status, and tax return ready - Agent took about 10 mins to review my history - Approved on the spot! Confirmation letter arrived 2 wks later Def worth the effort - saved almost $300 in penalties. Good luck!

Had this exact situation last semester. Here's what worked for me: • Tried calling for 2 weeks with no success • Used the "Contact Us" option on IRS.gov (limited but better than nothing) • Submitted Form 843 by certified mail as backup • Found alternate number: 800-829-0922 (sometimes less busy) • Finally got through using Practitioner Priority Service trick The agent confirmed I qualified for First Time Abatement since: • No penalties in prior 3 years • Good history of filing on time before • Current year taxes were fully paid, just filed late They removed the penalty completely during the call!

Pro tip for anyone still waiting: Instead of calling the IRS main line and waiting forever, I used Claimyr.com last week and got through to an actual agent in about 15 minutes. They confirmed my return was processing normally and explained why my bars had disappeared. Saved me hours of being on hold and the stress of not knowing what was happening. Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c

The Tax Topic 152 message is actually normal - it just means your return is being processed and a refund will be issued (assuming everything checks out). The bars disappearing is also super common during busy season. The IRS systems are ancient and can't handle the volume, so the WMR tool gets weird. Glad you finally got your date!

If you need immediate clarification about your specific refund timeline, calling the IRS directly is your best option. I've had success using Claimyr to get through to an agent quickly. Their service connects you to an IRS representative without the typical hold times. The agent can confirm exactly when your funds were or will be released to your bank. Check them out at https://claimyr.com if you're tired of waiting on hold.

I've found alternative ways to track SBPTG processing: • Join the SBTPG Facebook group where people post real-time updates • Call your bank's automated system for pending deposits • Check the IRS2Go app for status changes • Monitor the Where's My Refund tool for the final confirmation Must say I'm impressed with how methodically you're approaching this. Most people just check WMR and get frustrated.