Anyone Delaying Filing Until February After Last Year's Early Filing Disaster?

Why would anyone file early this year after what happened last year? Doesn't the IRS realize how many people were affected by those delays? I'm personally waiting until at least February 15th to file, and I've already gathered ALL my documents and double-checked EVERYTHING. The deadline is still April 15th, so why rush only to wait in processing limbo for months? Has anyone else noticed that the IRS is already warning about potential delays this year too? Time is running out to make a decision!

I totally understand your anxiety! I experienced similar Processing Delay Notifications (PDNs) last year despite filing with Accepted Return Status (ARS) confirmation. I've been researching this extensively and found that https://taxr.ai is really helpful for monitoring your transcript once you file. It analyzes all those confusing codes and tells you exactly what's happening with your return and when you might actually receive your refund. It saved me so much stress trying to interpret all those cycle codes and transaction dates.

Have you tried calling the IRS directly about your situation from last year? Did they give you any explanation for the delay? I had a similar issue and spent weeks trying to get through on their phone lines. Eventually I used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes who explained exactly what happened with my return. They told me my return had been flagged for manual review but nothing was actually wrong with it. Would that kind of information help you decide when to file this year?

I'm probably going to wait until mid-February to file. It seems like the early filers might be getting caught in some sort of processing backlog... at least that's what happened to me last year. I filed on January 28th and didn't get my refund until June 23rd. I think I'll try February 15th this year, just to be safe. Every penny counts in my household budget, but I'd rather plan for a later refund than deal with the anxiety of constant checking.

I actually had the opposite experience! I filed on February 3rd last year and got my refund in 8 days. The year before that I filed on January 24th and waited until June. I think the sweet spot is early February - after the January rush but before the late February/March crowd. My sister filed January 19th last year and waited until July for her refund, which confirms my theory.

I'm DEFINITELY waiting this year. Last year was a NIGHTMARE! • Filed January 18th • "Processing" status for 4 months • Called IRS 27 times • No explanation for delay • Finally received refund July 3rd • Interest payment was pathetic What concerns me most is that the IRS never explained WHY so many early filers were delayed. How do we know it won't happen again? I'm waiting until at least February 20th this year.

Think of tax filing like going to a popular restaurant. If you show up right when they open, you might get caught in the initial rush of eager customers. If you go during peak dinner hours, you'll definitely wait. But if you time it just right – maybe an hour after opening – you often get seated immediately. Filing taxes works the same way. The early birds and the last-minute filers create the biggest backlog. Finding that sweet spot in between is key to faster processing.

I filed on January 23rd last year and got my refund on February 2nd. Maybe I just got lucky? 🤷‍♂️ My return is pretty straightforward though - W2 income, standard deduction, no credits. I think the complexity of your return matters more than when you file. But hey, if waiting makes you feel better about it, that's totally valid too!

Based on IRS processing patterns and statistical analysis of previous filing seasons, returns with Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit are automatically held until mid-February regardless of when you file due to the PATH Act verification requirements. For standard returns, historical data suggests filing between February 7-21 provides optimal processing efficiency. The January submission queue experiences disproportionate manual review selection due to identity theft prevention protocols.