Tax refund processing is like a plane landing at a busy airport - it has an expected arrival time, but sometimes there's a holding pattern before touchdown. Your money is in that holding pattern between the IRS and your bank. Have you checked if TurboTax took their fees from your refund? That's like adding another layover to your refund's journey.

This is happening to way more people than last year! My sister got her California refund 7 days after the WMR date, while I got mine exactly on time. Same bank, same filing software, both claimed CTC. The difference? She had her TT fees taken out of her refund, I paid upfront. You need to call your bank TODAY - some are holding tax refunds for fraud review but won't tell you unless you specifically ask about pending government deposits.

If you don't see movement by April 15th, 2024, you should absolutely call the IRS. Mark your calendar! I waited exactly 45 days with the same codes before calling on March 28th. The agent confirmed my CTC was under review but processed it while I was on the phone. My deposit hit on April 3rd. Time is critical here - the longer you wait, the further back in line you get. The IRS phone lines are least busy on Thursdays between 8-9am or after 6pm in my experience.

Have u tried checking ur account transcript instead of just the return transcript? Sometimes the acct transcript shows more deets about what's happening. The 570/971 combo usually means they're double-checking something, but it doesn't always mean bad news. Tbh, the WMR tool is kinda useless compared to the actual transcript codes. Lmk if u need help finding the right transcript to check.

Has anyone had experience with this happening with the very last payment? What happens if your December payment gets returned - do they just hold it until you file your taxes? Or do they try to reissue it since there are no remaining payments to distribute it across?

Be careful with this! On April 15th last year, I had a payment returned, but I never updated my address with the IRS directly (I only did a USPS change of address). The payment got returned but never redistributed because they didn't have my correct information. When I filed on January 28th this year, I had to specifically claim that missing payment on my return. The IRS doesn't automatically know where to send the money if they don't have your current information!

The delay you're experiencing is specifically related to the Basis Recovery Verification Protocol that the IRS implements for Form 8606 submissions. This protocol cross-references your reported basis with prior year contributions to ensure accuracy. For tax year 2023 returns filed in 2024, the IRS has implemented enhanced verification procedures due to changes in retirement distribution rules. Your return hasn't been selected for audit - it's simply going through this additional verification process. The typical completion timeframe for this verification is 45-60 days from acceptance date, not the standard 21-day timeline.

Isn't it frustrating how the IRS expects us to file on time, but then takes forever to process our returns? Especially when we're dealing with retirement accounts that already have complex rules? I waited 56 days last year for my refund after filing with Form 8606. The good news is that if they owe you money, they'll pay interest on the delay after 45 days from the filing deadline (or from when you filed, if you filed after the deadline). So at least there's that small consolation for the wait you're experiencing. Have you checked if your state refund is also delayed, or just the federal?

I moved here from Australia in 2022 and had similar confusion! What worked for me was going to a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center instead of calling. You need to make an appointment first at 844-545-5640, but I got WAY better help in person than I ever did on the phone. The lady who helped me spent almost an hour explaining everything I needed to know about filing as a new resident.

Pro tip from someone who's been dealing with the IRS for years: Always ask for a reference number at the end of your call. That way, if you need to call back, you can reference the previous conversation. Saves you from having to re-explain everything and gives your case some continuity. The 800-829-1040 number is correct, but document EVERYTHING they tell you.