If you're really struggling, you might possibly want to consider looking into an Offer in Compromise instead of just hardship status. It could potentially allow you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount if you qualify. The form for that is 656, but you'll still need to complete the 433 series forms as part of the application process.

I filed for hardship status on January 12th this year after losing my job in December. Completed Form 433-F with all my documentation showing I had essentially no income beyond unemployment benefits. Got approved on February 8th and collections immediately stopped. They'll review my case again in 6 months, but by then I should be back on my feet with my new job starting next month. Don't listen to people saying the IRS won't work with you - they actually have reasonable hardship programs if you document everything properly.

If you need to talk to the IRS directly about refund options or timing, don't waste days trying to get through their phone system. Use Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to connect with an actual IRS agent quickly. I needed to know exactly when my refund would arrive for a car purchase, and after trying for three days to reach someone, I used Claimyr and got through in about 30 minutes. The agent was able to tell me exactly when to expect my refund and confirmed I could use a portion for my vehicle purchase without affecting my payment plan for previous tax debt.

Just to put this in perspective - isn't waiting for your tax refund still better than taking out a high-interest loan? Like, compared to what car dealerships offer for financing, even waiting 3-4 weeks for your refund could save you thousands in interest. When I was looking at cars last year, the dealership wanted to charge me 18% interest because I had limited credit history in the US. I waited for my tax refund instead and saved over $3,000 in interest over the life of the loan.

If you have your transcript access, you can check your account transcript to see if they've already scheduled the paper check. Look for code 846 with a description like "refund issued" - that will show the date they're sending it out.

Just be patient. The IRS is actually pretty good about sending out paper checks once they know the direct deposit failed. And make sure your address is current with USPS - that's where they'll send it!

I've been through this rodeo many times with dependent credits. Last year was a nightmare trying to figure out what all the codes meant. My transcript had like 15 different codes and dates that made zero sense. I stumbled across https://taxr.ai which actually explained my transcript in plain English. It showed me that my dependent verification was complete and predicted my refund date within 2 days of when it actually arrived. For international taxpayers like you, it might be especially helpful since it explains the US-specific terminology.

Oh my god I was SO WORRIED about this exact thing last year!!! I have 2 kids and got that 152 message and literally cried thinking something was wrong with my return. But it turned out to be totally normal! The IRS is just extra careful with returns that have dependents because some people try to claim kids they shouldn't. Just hang in there, I know it's stressful when you're counting on that money (I definitely was too) but it will come through! 💕

Congrats on the good news! FYI for everyone - those IRS emails are legit but they sometimes go to spam folders. Def check there if u haven't gotten one but WMR shows approved. The trace # in Netspend is just their way of showing an incoming ACH transfer - other banks might call it pending deposit or ACH memo. BTW the IRS started sending those emails more regularly in 2023 tax season, so it's not brand new but they've gotten better at consistent timing. The email usually comes 2-3 days b4 the deposit hits ur account.

Think of the IRS refund process like an airplane flight: your return is "boarded" (accepted), then "taxiing" (processing), then "in the air" (approved), and finally "landed" (deposited). That email is basically your "we're beginning our descent" announcement. One word of caution though - I've seen cases where people get the email but then have a last-minute hold placed on their refund. It's like when the plane circles the airport due to traffic. Rare, but it happens, especially with certain international tax situations where the IRS does an extra verification step. Just keep an eye on your transcript if you can access it, as that will show any last-minute changes.