I'm a bit skeptical about these "early refund" promises. I think they're mostly marketing gimmicks to get people to pay for the premium versions of tax software. In my experience, the regular IRS processing timeline is pretty much what everyone ends up with, give or take a day or two. I'm still waiting on my refund from filing in early February, and I supposedly had the "early refund" feature too.

I've been filing with TurboTax for 7 years straight and tried their early refund option twice. Here's my experience in detail: 2023 filing season: Got my refund 4 days earlier than the IRS "Where's My Refund" estimated date. I had documented everything with screenshots and calendar entries because I'm meticulous about tracking these things. 2024 filing season (current): Filed on February 2nd, got accepted same day, received refund on February 14th, which was exactly 3 days before the WMR tool estimated. The key is understanding it's not magic - they're just eliminating the bank processing delay after the IRS releases the funds. I maintain spreadsheets tracking all my tax filing experiences (I know, I'm that person), and it's consistently been 3-4 days faster than regular direct deposit. Not quite the "up to 5 days" they advertise, but definitely earlier.

The transition from 'No Return Filed' directly to a DDD is actually much more common than you'd think compared to seeing all the intermediate steps. Last year, about 60% of my clients experienced this same pattern. It's like the IRS system doesn't bother updating the status until everything is approved and ready to go. When comparing this to paper filers, they typically see more status updates but wait 8-12 weeks for processing. E-filers often see fewer updates but faster processing. Your 5-week timeline from filing to DDD is actually right in line with this year's average processing time for returns with standard deductions and credits.

I'm feeling your excitement! 💰 When I saw my 846 code appear after weeks of nothing, I literally did a happy dance in my living room! The waiting game is THE WORST part of tax season. One thing I've learned from years of watching these patterns - the deposit timing depends heavily on which bank you use. Credit unions and online banks tend to release funds as soon as the ACH notification comes in (often 1-2 days early). Traditional big banks typically hold until the exact date. Chase and Wells Fargo are notorious for waiting until the exact DDD even when they receive the funds early. Either way, you're almost there! The 846 code is basically the IRS saying "we've approved your money and it's on the way!"

If you were accepted on February 11th, 2024, and you're on a weekly cycle, you should expect updates on either March 14th or March 21st based on current processing patterns. I've been tracking multiple tax forums, and returns filed between February 8th-12th with PATH Act credits are just now starting to see movement. The IRS officially began processing PATH Act returns on February 15th, but they work through them in batches. Weekly cycles update Thursday night/Friday morning around 3:00 AM Eastern Time, so check your transcript then.

I was in your exact shoes last tax season! Filed early February, got stuck on PATH, weekly cycle, no WMR movement... the whole frustrating package. My refund finally came exactly 31 days after acceptance. The pattern I've noticed over the years is that the first batch of PATH returns takes the longest, then they speed up. I'm slightly worried about your amended return from last year though - sometimes that can flag your current year return for additional review, especially if it was recently processed.

After you see the 570 code, how long does it typically take to receive the notice in the mail? It's been exactly 7 days since I saw the code appear on my transcript, but I haven't received anything from the IRS yet. Should I be concerned?

Had 570 last month. Called IRS. They said math error. Fixed it. Got refund 9 days later. Check WMR daily. It updates before transcript sometimes.

Used FreeTaxUSA this year. No advance needed. Filed February 12th. Full refund deposited February 21st. No fees. No hassle. No special card required. Just my regular bank account. Couldn't be happier.

If you need your refund quickly, avoid advances completely. They add exactly 5-12 days to processing time in my experience. The "advance" is usually only 25-50% of your expected refund anyway. Better option: file electronically, use direct deposit, and don't claim certain credits that slow processing. I've tracked this for 6 years straight with precise filing dates. Simple returns without advances consistently arrive faster.

I work with tax clients, and here's what typically happens with deposit delays: 1. First, verify your transcript hasn't changed (sometimes a hold gets placed after DDD is issued) 2. Next, understand that the IRS sends payment files to banks in batches, not individually 3. Then, realize that banks process these batches according to their own schedules 4. For Chime specifically, they usually post within 1-3 business days of receiving the file 5. If it's been more than 5 business days since your DDD, then it's time to contact the IRS 6. Remember that weekends don't count as business days for processing Most delays resolve themselves within 5 business days without any action needed.

Just wanted to share a success story! I had the exact same issue with a 2/17 DDD to Chime. After checking the IRS2Go app and https://www.irs.gov/refunds daily with no updates, I finally got my deposit yesterday (2/27). According to what I found on the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions), they consider it on time if it's within 5 business days of the DDD. Hang in there - it's probably coming soon!

Tax pro here! Let me break down what's happening with your "5 days sooner" option (which is what we in the industry call a Refund Anticipation Loan or RAL): 1. Your actual IRS refund is still scheduled for 2/26 - that hasn't changed 2. Your tax preparer's bank partner is fronting you the money now 3. When the IRS releases your refund on 2/26, it goes to them, not you 4. They keep the refund as repayment for the advance they gave you The "fee" you paid is essentially interest on a very short-term loan. It's like paying the pizza guy to run a red light to get your pepperoni there 5 minutes sooner... except the pizza place charges you $20 for the privilege! 😂 Check your account today - you should see the deposit already there or coming very soon.

I believe I may have some insight into your situation... I also used the early refund option last year. From what I understand, the money should appear in your account within 1-2 business days from when you received notification, possibly even today. The tax preparation company essentially provides a short-term loan against your expected refund, and they collect their fee from the total amount. When the IRS processes your actual refund on 2/26, that money goes to the tax preparer to cover the advance they gave you. I would suggest checking your account periodically throughout the day.

When did you file? What filing method? Any credits claimed? Foreign income? These details matter.

It's like being the only house on the block with no Christmas lights while everyone else is fully decorated! I filed on February 3rd and had ZERO transcript activity until March 22nd - felt like I was in the IRS witness protection program or something. Then suddenly everything appeared at once and my refund was deposited 5 days later. The silence doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong - sometimes you're just in a different processing lane.

Just to clarify a common misconception: The DDD (Direct Deposit Date) shown on your transcript with code 846 is the date the IRS releases funds to your financial institution, not necessarily when you'll see it in your account. Financial institutions like Intuit with the Turbo Card often process these payments early as a customer benefit, but they're not required to. The PATH Act requires the IRS to hold EITC/ACTC refunds until February 15th, but once released, the standard ACH processing window is 1-3 business days.

Be careful with those prepaid cards. According to multiple posts on r/tax and the IRS subreddit, some people have had their accounts temporarily frozen when large deposits hit. The anti-fraud systems can sometimes flag tax refunds as suspicious transactions. I'd recommend checking your Turbo Card app daily and having their customer service number handy just in case. Nothing worse than seeing your money is there but not being able to access it.

According to IRS Publication 1345 (Handbook for Authorized e-File Providers), refund anticipation check (RAC) providers like SBTPG must adhere to specific timing requirements when processing tax refunds. They are permitted to hold funds for verification purposes to prevent fraud, which is why they typically wait until the day before the official Direct Deposit Date to release funds. The IRS actually encourages taxpayers to file Form 14157 (Complaint: Tax Return Preparer) if they believe a RAC provider is unnecessarily delaying refund disbursement beyond these guidelines. However, the one-day hold before DDD is considered standard practice and within regulatory compliance.

Pro tip from someone who's been thru this many times: next yr just pay the TT fees upfront w/ a CC and avoid SBTPG completely. The $39 or whatever for deluxe isn't worth the extra wait IMO. Also check out the SBTPG FB group - ppl post when deposits start hitting and you can get a better idea of timing. GL w/ your biz inventory!