Refund stuck in limbo since 4/12 - SBTPG shows sent but no trace number and bank has nothing

This is a common issue with SBTPG (Santa Barbara Tax Products Group) - they're the bank that handles TurboTax refunds. When your refund shows as sent but has no trace number, it usually means it's in processing limbo. Here's what you should do: • Check your TurboTax account for the exact routing/account numbers used • Contact your bank to verify they haven't rejected the deposit • Keep calling SBTPG but try early morning (8am ET) when wait times are shorter • Check the Where's My Refund tool on the IRS website to confirm their status • If it's been more than 5 business days, file a trace request with SBTPG The most likely scenario is that there's a processing delay either at SBTPG or in the ACH transfer system. Without a trace number, it means the transaction hasn't fully entered the banking system yet. This typically resolves within 7-10 business days, but it's frustrating when you need the money now.

I was in this exact situation last month. Spent days frustrated trying to figure out what was happening with my refund. Found this tool called taxr.ai that actually explained my entire situation - it read my transcript, decoded all those cryptic codes, and told me exactly why my refund was delayed and when to expect it. Not kidding, it saved me hours of research and stress. I'd definitely check it out at https://taxr.ai instead of trying to piece everything together yourself.

After dealing with this exact issue and getting nowhere with SBTPG, I used an app called Claimyr to get through to the IRS (claimyr.com). They got me a callback from an actual IRS agent who was able to track my refund and tell me exactly what happened. Apparently there was an issue with the routing number that SBTPG had on file. The agent helped me fix it and my refund was reprocessed within a week. Best money I've ever spent to stop the endless phone tag and actually get answers.

So annoying! I had this happen to me too. The refund was sent to SBTPG, then they took out their fees for TurboTax, and then they were supposed to send it to my bank. The problem is that SBTPG is a TRASH company with the worst customer service ever. My refund was stuck for 9 days. Eventually it just showed up in my account without warning.

You should never have paid for your tax filing with your refund. That's why it goes through SBTPG - they're a middleman bank that charges you extra fees for the privilege of taking your refund hostage for a few days. Next year, just pay the TurboTax fee upfront and have your refund sent directly to your bank.

does your IRS transcript show the money went to your bank? Have you checked WMR (wheres my refund) tool on the IRS website? That will give you more accurate info than SBTPG.

the same thing hapened to me!!! i was on the phone with sbtpg for TWO HOURS before someone picked up. turns out they sent it to the wrong account because turbotax entered my info wrong. check your account details on turbotax to make sure theyre right. took me another week to get my money after they fixed it.

I'm a tax preparer and see this all the time with SBTPG. If you're desperate to talk to someone, call right when they open at 8am ET. Also, make sure you're calling 800-901-6663 which is their direct line. The automated system is usually behind by a day or two so what it's telling you may not be current.

Had to comment cause this literally just happened to me last week!! Filed with TurboTax, refund went to SBTPG, and then it just sat there for 6 days. I kept calling their automated system and it said "refund sent" but no trace number. Then on day 7 it suddenly appeared in my bank account. No explanation for the delay. Just keep waiting - it'll probably show up.

check if you have any offset or debt that the IRS might be using your refund to pay. sometimes that causes a delay and the automated systems dont catch up fast enough.

The IRS has been a complete disaster this year. I've been waiting 11 weeks for my refund 🤬 At least yours made it to SBTPG which means the IRS already approved it. Probably just some bank transfer delay.

Check if TurboTax used the correct account number. This happened to me and it turned out they had my old bank account info from last year. Had to call SBTPG and update it, then wait for them to reissue the payment.

SBTPG is literally the worst!!! They held my refund for 9 days last year and I nearly missed a rent payment because of it. Their customer service is totally useless too. I switched to FreeTaxUSA this year and got my refund direct deposited 2 days after the IRS approved it. No middleman needed!

what bank do you use? some banks hold deposits longer than others, especially if its a large amount. my credit union sometimes puts a 5-day hold on large deposits even though they show as "pending" in my account.

If all else fails, take to social media. Tweet at TurboTax and SBTPG. Companies hate public complaints. I got my issue resolved in hours after publicly calling them out on Twitter after days of no response through regular channels.

Stop wasting time with SBTPG's phone system. Instead, try to directly find out what's happening with your refund from the source. I had a similar issue last year, and I couldn't make sense of my transcript. I found taxr.ai which actually explained everything to me in plain English - showed me exactly where my money was and what was causing the delay. Seriously, check it out at https://taxr.ai

Next time file earlier in the season. The later you file, the more issues like this happen because systems get overloaded. I always file in February and get my money within a week, direct deposit, no problems ever.

Dont worry it'll show up. SBTPG sux but they do eventually send the money. Their systems are just slow af. If it doesn't show up by next Monday though I'd start raising hell.

this happened to me. called SBTPG at exactly 5am Pacific when they open and got through after only 15 mins wait. they told me there was an error with my bank info and fixed it. got my refund 2 days later.