This is totally normal and you're not alone in being confused by this! What's happening is that your employer in Iowa submitted your W-2 electronically to the IRS by January 31st (as required by law), and TurboTax has access to this data through their partnerships with payroll companies and the IRS database. The paper W-2 you're waiting for in the mail is really just for your records - the "official" version that matters for tax purposes is already in the system. That's why TurboTax could pull it automatically. For your multi-state situation (Iowa to California), definitely double-check a few things when your paper W-2 arrives: make sure the state tax withholding amounts look correct for the months you worked in each state, and verify that your employer stopped withholding Iowa state tax after you moved to California in August. Sometimes employers mess this up and keep withholding for the wrong state. You can safely proceed with filing using the imported information, but it's always good practice to verify against the paper copy when it arrives. The electronic version is typically 100% accurate since it comes from the same source the IRS uses.

I can definitely relate to your confusion! I moved from Oregon to Nevada last year and had the exact same experience with TurboTax showing my W-2 info before I received it in the mail. It really freaked me out at first too. What everyone else has said is spot on - this is completely legitimate. Your Iowa employer filed your W-2 electronically with the IRS by January 31st (which is required by law), and TurboTax can access this through their data partnerships. The paper copy you're waiting for is just for your personal records. Since you moved mid-year, definitely pay close attention to the state tax withholding sections when you do get your paper W-2. Check that your Iowa employer stopped withholding Iowa state tax after August when you moved to California. I had a similar issue where my Oregon employer kept withholding Oregon taxes for two months after I moved to Nevada (which has no state income tax). I had to file for a refund from Oregon for those months. Also, make sure you keep good records of your move date - lease agreements, utility setup dates, etc. You'll need these to prove your residency change for tax purposes. The multi-state filing is definitely more complex, but TurboTax should walk you through allocating your income properly between Iowa and California based on when you lived in each state. You can confidently proceed with filing using the imported information, but definitely verify everything against your paper W-2 when it arrives!

I had this exact issue with Chime last year! Here's what I learned: Chime processes tax refunds differently than regular direct deposits because they go through a different ACH network pathway. Even though your DoorDash and UberEats payments hit instantly, tax refunds often take 1-2 business days even after the IRS sends them. The good news is that if TurboTax confirmed they sent it this morning, you'll likely see it by tomorrow evening at the latest. In the meantime, you can check the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool to see if it shows as "sent" on their end too - that'll give you extra peace of mind. I know the waiting is stressful when you have bills due, but hang in there!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed through TurboTax, got confirmation they sent my refund yesterday, and my Chime account is still showing nothing. What's really frustrating is that I called Chime and they said they can't even see a pending deposit in their system, but TurboTax insists it was sent. I'm starting to think there might be a processing bottleneck somewhere between the IRS payment system and Chime's servers. Has anyone tried calling both companies on a three-way call to figure out where the disconnect is? At this point I just want to know if my money is floating in cyberspace or if there's an actual timeline I can count on.

I'm dealing with this exact same S-Corp election nightmare right now! Filed Form 2553 in February and have been stuck in the same endless loop of IRS phone transfers and non-responses for months. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - it's both maddening and comforting to see how widespread this CP261 issue is. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has given me the first real hope I've had in weeks. I'm definitely going to implement the multi-pronged strategy that multiple people have had success with: filing Form 911 with TAS, sending that certified letter to the Cincinnati office, and using the strategic calling approaches with "entity determination" language. The fact that people like Dmitry, Victoria, and others actually got resolution through these methods gives me confidence that persistence will pay off. One thing I wanted to add - my CPA mentioned that we should also consider requesting a transcript of our business account from the IRS, as sometimes S-Corp elections show up there even when representatives claim they can't find any record. You can request it through Form 4506-T or sometimes online through the Business Online Account system. Starting my documentation log today (wish I'd done this months ago!) and preparing my Form 911 application. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and solutions - this community support makes navigating this bureaucratic maze so much more manageable!

I'm currently dealing with this exact same S-Corp election nightmare! Filed our Form 2553 back in January and have been trapped in the same endless cycle of IRS phone transfers and dead ends for months now. This thread has been a absolute lifesaver - it's both infuriating and oddly comforting to see how many other small business owners are facing this same CP261 nightmare. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and proven solutions has given me the first real hope I've had in this whole ordeal. I'm definitely going to implement the comprehensive multi-pronged approach that several members have successfully used: filing Form 911 with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, sending a certified letter directly to the Cincinnati office, and using those strategic calling techniques with "entity determination" language instead of mentioning Form 2553 directly. The success stories from Dmitry, Victoria, and others who actually broke through this bureaucratic maze are incredibly encouraging. It gives me confidence that persistent effort across multiple channels really can lead to resolution. One additional strategy I learned from my business attorney: when calling, also ask if they can check for any "pending entity classification changes" in addition to the election status. Sometimes the records are filed under slightly different categories in their system, and using varied terminology can help representatives locate information that might otherwise be missed. Starting my detailed documentation log today and preparing both my Form 911 application and that certified letter to Cincinnati. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and solutions - this community support makes navigating such a frustrating bureaucratic process so much more manageable!

I'm dealing with a Hurricane Ian assessment as well - just received a $5,500 special assessment notice from my condo board this morning! This thread has been absolutely incredible for understanding what I initially thought was a hopeless financial situation with zero tax relief options. After reading through everyone's detailed experiences, I now have a clear roadmap: send a formal written request directly to the HOA board (not the property manager) asking for a breakdown of unit-specific damage versus common area repairs, and use that crucial phrase about "tax documentation under IRS requirements for federally declared disasters" that seems to get boards to take these requests seriously. What gives me the most confidence is seeing how many people have successfully gotten 15-25% of their assessments classified as unit-specific items like windows, sliding doors, balcony railings, and front doors. My building had extensive damage to these exact elements during Ian, so I'm cautiously optimistic about getting a reasonable allocation. I'm definitely planning to reference IRS Publication 547 in my formal request to demonstrate this is backed by official guidance, not just someone trying to avoid payment. Even if I only get 15% classified as unit-specific damage, that's still over $800 in potential casualty loss deduction that could provide meaningful tax relief. This community has been infinitely more valuable than anything I found on the IRS website or other official resources. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - you've transformed what felt like an impossible situation into something manageable with a clear action plan. Sending my board request this week!

I'm in a very similar situation with a $7,400 Hurricane Ian assessment that just arrived from my condo board yesterday. This thread has been absolutely life-changing - I went from complete panic about this massive unexpected expense to actually having hope for meaningful tax relief! Reading through everyone's experiences, the process is crystal clear: send a formal written request directly to the HOA board (bypassing property management) for a detailed breakdown separating unit-specific damage from common area repairs, using that key phrase about "tax documentation under IRS requirements for federally declared disasters." What really gives me confidence is seeing how consistently people are getting 15-25% of their assessments allocated to unit-specific items like sliding doors, windows, balcony railings, and front doors - all of which my building had extensively damaged during Ian. Even at 15%, that's over $1,100 in potential casualty loss deduction that could provide real relief. I'm planning to reference IRS Publication 547 in my formal request this week to show it's backed by official guidance. The distinction between immediate casualty loss deduction versus cost basis adjustment that everyone's explained has been incredibly helpful for setting realistic expectations. This community has provided more practical, actionable guidance than hours of researching IRS publications. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world success stories - you've transformed what felt like a financial disaster into a manageable situation with a clear path forward. Here's hoping my HOA is as cooperative as the ones mentioned here!

This is actually a very common occurrence! The IRS frequently splits refunds, and there are several reasons why this might happen. Based on your refund amount and the timing, here are the most likely scenarios: 1. **Refundable Credits Delay**: If you claimed the Earned Income Credit (EIC) or Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS is required by the PATH Act to hold those portions until mid-February for additional verification, even if you filed earlier. They'll process the rest of your refund first. 2. **Debt Offset**: The Treasury Offset Program may have applied part of your refund to past-due federal debts like student loans, child support, or previous tax obligations. You'll receive a notice explaining this after the fact. 3. **Return Review**: Sometimes the IRS needs to verify certain information on your return, so they'll release the uncontested portion first while they review the rest. I'd recommend checking your tax return to see if the missing $246 matches any refundable credits you claimed. Also, use the "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov - it should indicate if there's a second payment pending. Most people in your situation receive the remaining portion within 1-2 weeks of the first deposit. If you don't see any updates after 3 weeks total, then it would be worth calling the IRS for clarification.

I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago and wanted to share my experience to hopefully ease your worries! I was expecting a $523 refund but only received $298 initially. Like you, I was completely confused and worried something had gone wrong. After doing some research and eventually getting through to the IRS, I learned that my refund was split because I had claimed both the Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. The IRS has to hold back the portions related to these refundable credits for additional verification under the PATH Act - it's a fraud prevention measure. The good news is that the remaining $225 showed up in my account exactly 8 days after the first payment, just like clockwork. The "Where's My Refund" tool updated about 2 days before the money actually hit my account, so definitely keep checking that. One tip: if you log into your IRS online account (if you have one set up), sometimes you can see more detailed information about what's being processed. Don't panic if it takes up to 2-3 weeks total - that's completely normal for split refunds during tax season. You should receive your remaining $246 soon!