


Ask the community...
Ever tried calling the IRS directly? It seems like the obvious solution, but have you experienced the nightmare of waiting on hold for hours only to be disconnected? I was in the same situation with my small business return last month. After five failed attempts, I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They confirmed my return was flagged for additional review due to my Schedule C. Isn't it worth knowing exactly what's happening rather than guessing?
I've been doing my small business taxes for 7 years now, and returns with Schedule C income almost always take longer. Last year I filed on February 12th and didn't get my refund until April 22nd. The year before that was similar. The IRS prioritizes simple W-2 returns first, then moves to the more complex ones with business income. I've learned to just expect 45-60 days minimum and file as early as possible. Checking transcripts weekly rather than daily helps keep the anxiety down too.
Did you claim any credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit? Those typically trigger additional verification processes. Have you checked your mail for any notices from the IRS? Sometimes they send letters requesting additional information without updating the online systems. Have you verified that all your W-2 information matches exactly what your employer submitted?
Based on my analysis of 143 posts from cycle 0705 filers this season, approximately 72.3% are experiencing delays of 21+ days compared to the normal 14-17 day processing time. The IRS appears to be prioritizing returns filed after February 12, 2024, possibly due to system updates implemented mid-season. For January filers specifically, the average wait time has increased to 32.6 days before transcript visibility. I'd recommend waiting until exactly March 31st before taking further action, as many January filers are seeing bulk updates around that timeframe.
I understand how stressful waiting for your refund can be, especially when you're counting on it for important expenses. Have you tried calling the Tax Advocate Service instead of the main IRS line? They can sometimes help if you're experiencing a financial hardship while waiting. Their number is 877-777-4778, and they're often easier to reach than the regular IRS lines. I was so worried about my delayed refund last year, but the advocate I spoke with was incredibly understanding and helped explain exactly what was happening with my return.
I might be able to offer some perspective here. My refund with Child Tax Credit was delayed approximately 35 days this year. I believe the system is simply overwhelmed with the verification requirements. When I finally received my deposit, it was the full amount plus a small amount of interest. The frustrating part was the complete lack of communication during the wait - no explanation, no timeline, just the generic "still processing" message. If you filed accurately, you'll likely receive your full refund, but unfortunately, patience seems to be the only solution.
This happens to about half the people I know who file in mid-February. My brother filed Feb 17th and had his transcript available Feb 28th. I filed Feb 20th and mine didn't show up until March 10th. Same tax situation, almost identical returns. It's just luck of the draw which processing batch you end up in.
FYI - be careful abt checking too often. Last yr I checked my transcript like 5x/day and got temp locked out of my acct for "suspicious activity." Had to wait 72hrs to get back in, which was super stressful bc that's when my transcript finally updated! Now I limit myself to checking 1x/day max. The IRS systems are hyper-sensitive to multiple logins from the same IP.
Asher Levin
Has anyone had issues with SBTPG taking longer than expected after the refund advance was denied? Last year when I got the advance it was super quick, but I'm wondering if being denied and going through the regular process adds extra days to the timeline. Also, does SBTPG notify you when they receive the refund from IRS?
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Serene Snow
Pro tip: Skip the whole advance thing next year and save yourself the headache (and fees). I've filed with TurboTax for 7 years and tried the advance once - never again! š If you need your refund faster, consider adjusting your W-4 withholding throughout the year instead. That way you get your money in each paycheck rather than waiting for a big refund. As for your current situation, yes - it goes to SBTPG automatically, and you can track it through their website using your TurboTax login info and SSN.
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Landon Morgan
ā¢Thanks for this advice! I'm definitely reconsidering the advance next year. The extra fees weren't worth the stress of being denied and then trying to figure out what happens next. I'll check out the SBTPG tracking page.
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Teresa Boyd
ā¢How do you adjust withholding to get more in each check but not end up owing? I'm scared of owing at tax time but would love to not wait for a big refund.
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