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.

Have you considered what happens behind the scenes with these refund deposits? When you pay TurboTax fees separately, the IRS sends your money directly to Current without any intermediary processing, right? But did you know that even with a direct deposit, the Treasury still releases funds in batches on specific days? I've seen multiple instances where Current showed deposits 2 days early, but I've also seen them arrive exactly on the DDD. Wouldn't it be safer to plan for the 26th and be pleasantly surprised if it arrives earlier?

Current Bank customer service confirmed to me directly that they post IRS direct deposits as soon as they receive them, regardless of the official date. They don't hold them. This is different from traditional banks. When you don't have TurboTax fees taken from your refund, the deposit comes straight from the Treasury. Your DDD is the GUARANTEED date it will arrive by, not necessarily the exact date it will post to your account.

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.