OMG this happened to me too! Def do the ID.me verification asap. I was stuck in this weird limbo for like 2 weeks bc I thought the verification would mess something up. Finally did it and could see my full transcript. Turns out there was a small adjustment they made (gave me $126 more than I calculated!) and my DDD was already scheduled. WMR never updated until after the $ hit my account tbh. The whole system is kinda a mess rn with tax season rush.

This discrepancy occurs due to authentication protocol differences between the refund status API and the transcript access portal. An alternative approach is to request a tax transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, which bypasses the ID.me verification requirement. The transcript will contain all relevant cycle codes and processing information. While less immediate than online access, this method provides the same detailed information without requiring digital identity verification, which some taxpayers find problematic due to biometric data concerns.

Let me clear this up for you. Yes, it still goes through SBTPG. The free edition only means you don't pay for tax preparation - it has nothing to do with how the advance works. When you take an advance, you're essentially taking a loan that gets repaid when your actual refund arrives. SBTPG is the middleman that handles this transaction. They front you the money now, then intercept your refund later to recoup their costs. This happens regardless of which edition you used or where your final deposit is going. It's all about the advance, not the software version.

Here's what you need to do: • Create an account on SBTPG.com using the same info from your tax return • Track your refund there AND on the IRS Where's My Refund tool • Call SBTPG directly at their customer service if nothing shows up after your WMR says refund sent • Consider opting out of advances next year - they're convenient but add complexity • Remember that "free edition" just means free preparation, not free financial products The advance is essentially a loan against your expected refund, so yes, it MUST go through the third party regardless of which edition you used.

I filed HOH with two kids on February 5th (just two days after you) and got my refund yesterday! The funny thing is, my WMR never updated beyond the first bar. I checked my bank account randomly and there it was! Last year was a complete nightmare - took almost 8 weeks. This year was smooth sailing. Don't lose hope - yours is probably right around the corner!

I'd say most HOH filers with dependents who filed early February are probably seeing refunds around now, give or take a week. The IRS is generally processing returns in the order received, but there are always some exceptions. If you haven't received anything by mid-March, that's when I'd start looking into it more seriously. Until then, it's likely just normal processing time.

I need to caution you about something important. On March 12th, 2024, I was in an identical situation - WMR showing processing but transcript showing nothing. I assumed it was normal and waited. By April 2nd, I discovered my return had been flagged for identity verification, but I never received the letter (which was apparently mailed on March 15th). This delayed my refund by an additional 9 weeks. If you don't see transcript movement by March 25th (7 weeks after filing), I strongly recommend contacting the IRS to verify there are no holds on your account that require action from you. The system doesn't always notify you properly when there's an issue.

I'm currently going through the exact same thing and wanted to outline the steps I've taken so far: 1. Filed and accepted on February 3rd 2. WMR showed "processing" for 3 weeks 3. Checked transcript - showed "no return filed" 4. Called IRS main number on February 28th (couldn't get through) 5. Checked transcript again on March 7th - finally updated 6. Refund deposited on March 12th The key thing I learned is that the transcript update is often the last step before your refund is approved. Have you checked your transcript again today? Sometimes they update overnight and you might see movement.

I was in exactly your situation last year. Filed January 22nd with two dependents, got accepted January 23rd, then nothing happened until March 1st. Meanwhile, my sister who filed February 10th without dependents got her refund on February 20th. The PATH Act creates this weird situation where filing earlier can actually mean waiting longer compared to simple returns filed later.

Here's what's happening with your return, step by step: 1. Your return was accepted on January 21st and entered the processing queue 2. Because you claimed dependents, it falls under PATH Act provisions 3. The IRS cannot release refunds with certain credits until after February 15th 4. After February 15th, your return enters the regular processing queue 5. Tax Topic 152 simply means you're getting a refund, not that there's an issue 6. The one bar on WMR means your return is in the system and processing 7. Many PATH Act returns don't update on WMR until just before deposit 8. Current processing time for PATH Act returns is averaging 4-6 weeks after February 15th This is completely normal. No need to worry unless you receive a specific notice from the IRS or your WMR shows an error message.