Ngl, those early deposit things are usually BS. I've tried them all. The TurboTax one is basically a loan w/ fees hidden in fine print. Tbh NetSpend already gives u early deposits for free so ur literally paying extra for MAYBE 2 more days. Not worth it imho. If u rly need $ faster, file earlier next yr! Jan 29 was the first day this yr. I filed Feb 1st and had my $$ by Feb 9th w/ just regular NetSpend. No extra fees.

It might be helpful to understand what's actually happening behind the scenes. The TurboTax "5 days early" option is technically a Refund Advance Loan, which is essentially a short-term loan based on your expected refund amount. They're generally offering around $500-$4,000 depending on your estimated refund. The NetSpend early deposit feature, on the other hand, is simply the bank making funds available when they receive the deposit notification rather than waiting for the actual settlement date. There's no loan involved with NetSpend, just a different policy on when they make confirmed funds available to you.

Colorado seems to be processing returns somewhat slower this year, possibly due to their new verification system. From what I've observed, they appear to be prioritizing refund returns over balance-due returns, which might explain some of the delays if you owe money. It's also worth noting that the state typically processes returns in batches rather than continuously, so you might see no movement for weeks and then suddenly get a status update.

I filed my Colorado return exactly 37 days ago and just got the deposit yesterday! I was shocked by how much higher my taxes were - $1,247 more than last year on almost identical income. I called the Colorado Department of Revenue and spent 96 minutes on hold before speaking to someone who explained that they changed how they calculate deductions for independent contractors. The whole system is way more complicated than I expected for a state return!

Got my AZ refund last wk - $188 for MFJ w/ ~90k income. Fed was $2100+. AZ's flat tax system makes small refunds totally normal. Btw, they're super fast w/ processing - filed 3/15, DD hit 3/29. The ADOR website is actually decent for checking status too.

According to the ADOR website (https://azdor.gov/individual-income-tax-information), Arizona's average refund for 2023 tax year is around $200 for individuals and $250 for joint filers. Your $174 is within normal range. The AZ Department of Revenue has a refund status checker at https://aztaxes.gov/Home/CheckRefund that usually updates within 5-7 days after filing. I'm slightly concerned it might take longer this year since we're getting closer to the April 15 deadline.

I would say that, in my experience, transcript updates typically take around 3-4 weeks during peak filing season, though it might possibly be longer depending on various factors. The IRS seems to prioritize actual return processing over updating their information systems, which is probably a reasonable approach given their limited resources. If you're concerned about your business financing, you might want to contact your lender to see if they'll accept alternative documentation temporarily.

OMG I was literally in the SAME situation last year and it was so stressful! I needed my tax info for a mortgage application! What worked for me was going to my local Taxpayer Assistance Center - I made an appointment online and brought my filing confirmation. They printed a statement confirming my return was in processing which my lender accepted! Might be worth trying if your loan timeline is tight!

Be careful about relying too heavily on the 846 date. According to IRM 21.4.1.3 (IRS Internal Revenue Manual), while the 846 code does indicate a refund has been scheduled, there are still verification processes that can occur after this code appears. I've seen cases where people had the 846 code with a date, but then a 570 (additional account action pending) or 420 (examination indicator) appeared afterward, delaying the refund by weeks or months. Not trying to worry you, but it's important to keep checking until the money actually arrives.

Oh my goodness, I remember the relief when I finally saw that 846 code! 😅 I was checking WMR and my transcript literally 5 times a day! The 846 date was EXACTLY when my money arrived - I was so happy I took a screenshot of my bank account when it posted! I had amended my return too because I forgot to include some freelance income, so I was terrified it would get delayed forever. Hang in there - you're in the home stretch now! The waiting is the worst part, but that 846 code means you're almost done!

According to IRS Publication 974, "The premium tax credit is a refundable tax credit for certain people who enroll, or whose family member enrolls, in a qualified health plan offered through a Marketplace." Per IRC §36B, failure to file Form 8962 when required can result in the IRS disallowing your premium tax credit entirely and requiring repayment of all advance payments. I'm surprised by how complex this requirement is considering how many people utilize Marketplace insurance. The instructions alone are 18 pages long!

I might be able to help you with this one. I'm a tax preparer who has probably completed hundreds of 8962 forms over the years. In most cases, your tax software should actually handle the calculations for you once you input your 1095-A information correctly. The software should ask for the monthly premium amounts, SLCSP (Second Lowest Cost Silver Plan) amounts, and advance payment amounts from your 1095-A. If you've already entered that information and the software is still asking you to complete the 8962 manually, there might be something unusual about your situation - perhaps a mid-year change in coverage or family size. If you can share a bit more about your specific situation (without revealing personal details), I could possibly provide more targeted advice.

According to Internal Revenue Code Section 6402(m) and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), the IRS is REQUIRED to delay these refunds, but that doesn't mean you should delay filing. The problem is the IRS's implementation of these requirements creates unnecessary complications. Their systems flag approximately 35% of EIC/CTC returns for manual review even when there are no actual issues. This is inefficient and creates artificial delays beyond what the law requires. I've analyzed the IRS Data Books from 2018-2022, and the audit rate for returns with these credits is 1.4% - but the manual review rate is 25 times higher!

I've been filing with both credits for 7 years now, and I've developed a system that works every time. I gather all my documents by January 20th, double-check everything twice, file electronically the first week of the season, and always get my refund the last week of February. Last year I filed on February 2nd and had my refund on February 28th. The year before, I filed January 29th and got it February 26th. The PATH Act delay is annoying but predictable. Just make sure your information matches what the IRS already has on file to avoid verification delays!

According to the IRS website, Direct File is still in pilot mode for 2024 and only available in 12 states. Have you checked if your state is even eligible? I was all ready to try it but then discovered my state isn't participating yet. Maybe look into Cash App Taxes? I've seen Reddit threads saying it handles gig work well and it's completely free. The TurboTax upsells drove me crazy too.

Direct File works for simple returns. Not ideal for gig workers. Limited deduction options. No state returns in most places. Better options exist for your situation. Stick with what you know.

When I first came to the US as an international student in 2022, I completely messed up my taxes! I didn't realize I needed to file Form 8843 even though I had no income that year. The next year, I received a scholarship that included housing allowance and didn't know that portion was taxable. I ended up getting a notice from the IRS about underreported income and had to pay back taxes plus a small penalty. It took months to sort out! I learned that most university international student offices offer free tax workshops in February and March - that's how I finally figured everything out.

Instead of trying to navigate this alone, check if your university has an International Student Office or tax assistance program. Most major universities offer free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs specifically trained to help international students. Also, the IRS has Publication 519 (U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens) which covers all the specific rules for students. It's dense reading but comprehensive. If your university doesn't offer help, consider reaching out to student organizations for international students - they often organize tax workshops with experts during filing season.

Have you tried checking your account transcript instead of just the return transcript? On February 21st, I noticed my account transcript updated before my return transcript showed an 846 code. Also, check WMR first thing in the morning on February 22nd - that's when mine updated last year. If you need the money specifically for spring semester, you might want to talk to your financial aid office about a short-term emergency loan until your refund arrives.

I've tracked cycle patterns for the past 3 tax seasons. For cycle 05 filers with PATH Act credits who had their credits appear on transcripts by February 17th, exactly 73% received their 846 code within 7 days after PATH lifted. Based on your timeline, there's approximately an 81% chance you'll see your 846 code tomorrow or next Thursday. The average time between 846 code appearance and direct deposit is 5.2 days for most major banks, though credit unions sometimes post 1-2 days earlier.