This thread is incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea so many people were dealing with this SBTPG nightmare! I've been waiting since February for my $2,100 refund and getting the same runaround from TPG about "returning it to the IRS." What really stands out to me from reading everyone's experiences is how SBTPG seems to have the exact same script for everyone - "returned to IRS," "wait 10-12 weeks," "check your mailbox for a paper check." But then multiple people have confirmed with the IRS that these refunds were never actually returned. That's not coincidence, that's a pattern. I'm going to follow the advice here and file both the Form 3911 refund trace AND a CFPB complaint this week. The fact that several people got their money within days of filing CFPB complaints tells me that SBTPG absolutely has the ability to locate and release these funds - they just don't want to unless they're forced to by regulatory pressure. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions. It's ridiculous that we have to become our own advocates and investigators, but at least now I have a roadmap instead of just calling the same useless customer service line over and over. Will update once I hear back from my complaints!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! SBTPG has been holding my $3,200 refund since early March, giving me the same "returned to IRS" story that everyone else is getting. I've called the IRS four times and each representative confirmed they never received my refund back from TPG. What's really infuriating is that when I check my IRS transcript online, it clearly shows my refund was issued and sent to SBTPG's bank routing number back in March. So the IRS did their part - the money left their system and went to TPG. But now TPG is claiming they sent it back, while the IRS has no record of receiving it back. Where did my $3,200 go? Based on all the advice in this thread, I'm filing a CFPB complaint tomorrow and submitting Form 3911 for a refund trace. The fact that multiple people here got their money within days of filing CFPB complaints gives me hope. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops and become amateur investigators just to get our own tax refunds. I'm also documenting everything from here on out - call logs, reference numbers, screenshots of my IRS transcript showing the refund was issued. If SBTPG is really just sitting on thousands of people's refunds collecting interest, they need to be held accountable. Will definitely update once I hear back from my complaints!

heads up tho make sure ur account number is correct on ur return. saw ppl get delayed bc of that

Same here with Navy Fed and 2/22 DDD! Based on past years, they usually drop refunds around 12-3 AM EST the day before your DDD. So we should see something by Thursday night/Friday morning. Their mobile app notifications are pretty good too if you have those turned on - saves you from constantly checking!

I'm glad to see this question being asked - it shows you're being diligent about getting your taxes right! As others have confirmed, the rounding is completely normal and expected. One thing I'll add that might help ease your mind: the IRS Form 1040 instructions actually include a specific section about rounding that states "You must round off cents to whole dollars on your return and schedules." So this isn't just something tax software does for convenience - it's literally what the IRS requires. The key thing to remember is that this rounding rule applies consistently across your entire return. So whether it's W-2 amounts, 1099 income, or deductions you're entering manually, everything gets rounded using the same 50-cent rule (under 50 cents rounds down, 50 cents and above rounds up). Don't let the anxiety get to you - filing taxes for the first time is always nerve-wracking, but you're asking the right questions and being careful about accuracy. That puts you way ahead of many taxpayers! The fact that your software is handling the rounding automatically according to IRS guidelines is actually a good sign that it's working correctly.

Just wanted to jump in as another voice of reassurance! I remember having this exact same panic when I first started filing my own taxes. The rounding thing felt like such a big deal at the time, but now after several years of filing, I can tell you it's completely routine. What really helped me understand this better was learning that the IRS actually designed their systems around whole dollar amounts specifically to make processing more efficient and reduce errors. When you think about it that way, the rounding isn't cutting corners - it's actually following the system the way it was designed to work. Your tax software rounding $58,427.83 to $58,428 and $7,342.56 to $7,343 is textbook correct application of the IRS rounding rules. You're definitely not going to have any issues with this. The fact that you're being so careful and asking these questions shows you're taking the process seriously, which is great. But don't let the anxiety overwhelm you - you're doing everything right! First-time filing is always nerve-wracking, but the rounding is truly one thing you can cross off your worry list.

Does anyone know if scholarship money affects the 1098-T reporting? I had a partial scholarship for my last semester before graduating and I'm confused about how that impacts potential tax credits.

Great question! I was in a similar situation when I graduated in 2023. Yes, you'll definitely receive your 1098-T for 2024 since you paid tuition during that tax year. One thing I wish someone had told me - make sure to keep all your payment receipts and compare them to what's on the 1098-T when you get it. Also, since this is your first time filing after graduation, you might want to check if you're still being claimed as a dependent by your parents. If they're claiming you, they would be the ones eligible for the education credits, not you. If you're filing independently now, those education credits could be really valuable - the American Opportunity Credit can be worth up to $2,500. Don't leave money on the table!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Emily. I went through this same ordeal when my uncle passed away six months ago, and the SSA bureaucracy is absolutely maddening during an already difficult time. After reading through all these suggestions, I'd strongly recommend the in-person approach if you have a local SSA office nearby. I wasted three weeks trying to get through on the phone with no success, but when I finally went in person with an appointment, they resolved it in about 30 minutes. Here's what I learned that might help: bring your father's Social Security card if you can find it (in addition to just knowing the number), and ask specifically for a "Benefits Verification Letter" along with the 1099-SSA. The verification letter shows the same information but in a different format, and sometimes it's easier for them to generate. Having both can be helpful for different parts of the tax return process. Also, if your father received any Railroad Retirement benefits in addition to Social Security, you'll need separate forms for those (RRB-1099). The SSA rep can tell you if he had any RRB benefits that you might not be aware of. One thing that surprised me was that the SSA was actually able to tell me about a small 401k rollover my uncle had done years earlier that generated a 1099-R I wasn't expecting. It might be worth asking if there are any other tax documents you should be looking for while you have them on the phone or in person. Hang in there - I know it feels impossible right now, but you will get through this. The system is frustrating, but once you connect with the right person, things move much faster than you'd expect.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Emily. I went through this exact situation when my mom passed away two years ago, and I completely understand the frustration with locked SSA accounts and missing documents. One thing that worked really well for me was calling the SSA at exactly 8:00 AM when their lines open and asking specifically for "estate services" or "deceased beneficiary services" when you get through the automated system. The wait times are much shorter in the early morning - I got through in about 15-20 minutes versus the hours-long waits later in the day. Have these ready when you call: your father's full SSN, his exact date of death, your identification as executor, and the death certificate information (you don't need to mail it, just have the details). The specialist was able to process my request over the phone and expedited the 1099-SSA to my address within about a week. If phone calls don't work out, definitely try the in-person route with an appointment. You can schedule online at ssa.gov, and many people here have had success getting the form printed on the spot. Also, don't forget you can file Form 4868 for an automatic 6-month extension on his final tax return if you need more time to gather all the documents. This takes a lot of pressure off the April deadline. Hang in there - dealing with government agencies while grieving is incredibly difficult, but you'll get through this. Once you connect with someone who understands estate situations, the process moves much faster than expected.