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Sofia Ramirez

How to identify SBTPG tax refund: Is this "Immediate Response Requested" envelope from DC my refund check or card?

Filed my taxes and got approved. I see SBTPG (Santa Barbara Tax Products Group) showing up in my transcript but I can't figure out if they're sending me a check or loading it on a card. Been waiting forever and just want to know what to look out for in my mail. Today I received something in the mail marked "PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID" from "PO BOX 98285 WASHINGTON DC 20090-8285" with "Immediate Response Requested" and "Do Not Bend" written on it. It also has "Member FDIC BANK" on it. Is this my tax refund? Is this from SBTPG? I'm confused because I was expecting either a direct deposit or maybe a check, but this looks like it might be a card. The envelope says "IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUESTED" which makes me think I need to do something with it rather than it just being my refund. Has anyone else received their refund this way through SBTPG? Should I open it or is this something else? I've been checking my transcript daily and just want my money already.

Tax pro here. SBTPG (Santa Barbara Tax Products Group) usually shows up when you chose to have your tax prep fees taken out of your refund. They'll send your refund in whatever format you selected when filing - either direct deposit, check, or prepaid card. You can check your SBTPG account or call them directly at 800-901-6663 to confirm.

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thanks for the help! gonna call them rn 🙏

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that number never works for me, always get the busy signal smh

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try calling early morning, like right when they open. way better chance of getting through

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Hey! Just wanted to share that I started using taxr.ai to track all this stuff. It's only $1 and it tells you exactly how your refund will come and when to expect it. Way better than trying to decode all these cryptic transcript codes lol. Check it out: https://taxr.ai

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for real? does it actually work or is it another scam?

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100% legit! It analyzes your transcript and breaks everything down. Shows pending deposits, explains all the codes, even predicts delays. Best $1 I spent this tax season fr fr

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just tried it and WOW 🤯 finally know exactly whats going on with my refund! thx for the recommendation!

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in the same boat rn. waiting on SBTPG for 2 weeks now 😤

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if u used turbotax and got the emerald card its def going on that

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not always true. i got a paper check last year even w/ emerald card

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Check your tax prep paperwork. Should say right there what you picked for payment method

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cant find my paperwork anywhere 😅

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these clowns at SBTPG had me waiting 3 weeks just to send a check when I asked for direct deposit smh 🤡

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fr fr they stay messing up

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That envelope you got sounds like it could be a prepaid debit card from SBTPG! The "Do Not Bend" and "Member FDIC BANK" markings are typical for card mailings. The "Immediate Response Requested" probably means you need to activate the card once you get it. I'd definitely open it - if it's your refund card, you'll need to activate it to access your money. SBTPG sends cards when you don't have direct deposit set up or if there was an issue with your bank info.

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I got the exact same envelope from that DC address last month! It was definitely my SBTPG refund card. The "Immediate Response Requested" just means you need to activate it online or by phone once you open it. Don't worry - it's not a scam or anything sketchy. Just open it up and follow the activation instructions. Mine had my full refund amount loaded on it already. You can check the balance and activate at the website printed on the card.

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This is super helpful! I was getting worried it might be some kind of scam since I wasn't expecting a card. Good to know it's legit and I just need to activate it. Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙏

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That envelope definitely sounds like your SBTPG refund card! I got the same exact thing last year - same DC address, same "Immediate Response Requested" and "Do Not Bend" markings. It's totally legit. The "Member FDIC BANK" is because it's a prepaid debit card with your refund loaded on it. You just need to open it and activate it online or by calling the number on the card. Don't stress about it - SBTPG sends cards when direct deposit isn't set up or if there's an issue with your bank info. Your money should already be loaded on there!

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Same here! Got that exact envelope last week and was so confused by all the official looking text on it. Turns out it was just my refund card like you said. Already activated it and everything. The whole process was way easier than I thought it would be. Thanks for confirming this is normal - was starting to think something went wrong with my filing!

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Just went through this exact same situation! That envelope you described is 100% your SBTPG refund card. I got the identical one from that same DC PO Box address with all the same markings. The "Immediate Response Requested" just means you need to activate the card - it's not urgent or anything, just their way of saying "hey, activate this when you get it." Your refund money should already be loaded on the card. I was able to activate mine online in like 2 minutes and then used it right away. Don't overthink it - just open it up and follow the activation steps!

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This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been stressing about this envelope all day thinking it might be some kind of bill or something I had to pay. Super relieved to know it's actually my refund card and the activation process is quick. Definitely opening it tonight - thanks for breaking it down so clearly!

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That envelope you got is definitely your SBTPG refund card! I got the exact same one a few weeks ago - same DC address, same "Immediate Response Requested" and "Member FDIC BANK" markings. Don't worry, it's totally legit. The "Immediate Response Requested" just means you need to activate the card once you open it, not that there's some urgent problem. Your refund should already be loaded on there. Just open it up and follow the activation instructions - you can do it online or by phone. The whole process took me maybe 5 minutes and then I had access to my money right away. Hope this helps ease your mind!

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Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! I was literally about to call the IRS thinking something went wrong with my filing. It's such a relief to know this is normal and that my refund is actually sitting there waiting to be activated. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience - definitely going to open it up right now!

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Had the exact same envelope come to my mailbox yesterday! Same DC address, same "Immediate Response Requested" and "Do Not Bend" markings. I was so confused at first because I wasn't sure if it was my refund or some kind of official notice I needed to respond to. Turns out it was my SBTPG refund card with my money already loaded on it! The activation was super simple - just went to their website and entered the card info. Took like 3 minutes and then I could check my balance and everything. Don't stress about the "Immediate Response Requested" part - it just means activate the card when you get a chance, not that there's any emergency. Your refund is probably sitting right there waiting for you!

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This thread has been so helpful! I was literally stressing about that same envelope sitting on my counter for two days. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel so much better about opening it. Thanks for confirming the activation is quick - was worried it would be some complicated process. Definitely doing it tonight!

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That envelope you described is definitely your SBTPG refund card! I got the same exact one last month - same Washington DC PO Box address with all those markings. The "Immediate Response Requested" and "Do Not Bend" are standard for prepaid debit cards. Your refund money is already loaded on the card, you just need to activate it online or by phone. The activation process is super quick - took me about 5 minutes on their website. Don't worry about the official-looking envelope, SBTPG always sends their cards this way. Just open it up and follow the instructions to get access to your money!

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Thanks so much for confirming this! I've been staring at that envelope all day trying to figure out what it was. Really helpful to know the activation is quick and straightforward. Was getting paranoid it might be some kind of scam since I wasn't expecting a card format for my refund. Definitely opening it up now that I know it's legit!

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That envelope you described is 100% your SBTPG refund card! I got the identical one from that same DC PO Box address with all the same markings about 3 weeks ago. The "Immediate Response Requested" just means you need to activate the card once you open it - nothing urgent or scary. The "Member FDIC BANK" and "Do Not Bend" are standard markings for prepaid debit cards. Your refund money should already be loaded on there waiting for you! Just open it up and follow the activation instructions (can do it online or by phone). The whole process took me maybe 10 minutes and then I had full access to my refund. Don't stress - this is totally normal for SBTPG!

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This whole thread has been such a lifesaver! I was literally about to drive to the post office thinking I needed to return this envelope or something 😅 So glad to know it's actually my refund card and not some complicated paperwork I have to deal with. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - makes me feel way more confident about just opening it up and activating it. Thanks for all the detailed info!

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I had the EXACT same envelope show up last week! Same DC address (PO BOX 98285), same "Immediate Response Requested" and "Do Not Bend" markings, same "Member FDIC BANK" text. I was so confused and worried it was some kind of scam or bill I had to pay. Turns out it was definitely my SBTPG refund card with my money already loaded on it! The activation was super easy - just went to their website, entered the card details, and boom, had access to my full refund amount in minutes. The "Immediate Response Requested" part just means activate when convenient, not that there's any emergency. Don't overthink it like I did - just open it up and activate! Your refund is sitting right there waiting for you 💰

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This is so reassuring! I was literally googling "SBTPG scam" because that envelope looked so official and intimidating 😂 Thanks for breaking down the whole process - definitely makes me feel better about opening it. Sounds like everyone had the same experience with that exact envelope format. Going to activate it right now!

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That envelope you got is definitely your SBTPG refund card! I just went through the same thing last month - got that exact same envelope from the DC PO Box with all those markings. I was so confused at first because I wasn't expecting a card either. The "Immediate Response Requested" just means you need to activate it, and the "Member FDIC BANK" confirms it's a legit prepaid debit card with your refund already loaded on it. Don't worry about the official wording - that's just how they package these cards. Just open it up and activate online or by phone (instructions will be inside). Took me like 5 minutes and then I could access my full refund amount. You're all set! 🎉

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Thank you so much! This whole thread has been incredibly helpful. I was honestly getting really anxious about that envelope just sitting there unopened. Reading everyone's similar experiences with the exact same DC address and markings makes me feel so much better. Definitely going to activate it tonight - can't wait to finally access my refund! Really appreciate you and everyone else taking the time to share your experiences 🙏

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That envelope you described with the DC PO Box address and "Immediate Response Requested" marking is definitely your SBTPG refund card! I got the exact same one about a month ago and had the same confusion. The "Member FDIC BANK" and "Do Not Bend" are standard for prepaid debit cards. Your refund money is already loaded on there - you just need to activate it online or by calling the number that'll be on the card. The "Immediate Response Requested" sounds scary but it just means "please activate this card when you get it" - nothing urgent. Activation took me about 5 minutes on their website and then I could access my full refund right away. Don't stress about it, this is totally normal for SBTPG!

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This is so helpful! I was literally staring at that same envelope for days trying to figure out what it was. The "Immediate Response Requested" part really threw me off - made it sound like some kind of urgent government notice or something I had to respond to immediately. Really glad to hear it's just the standard way they send out these refund cards and that the activation is quick and easy. Thanks for sharing your experience!

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That envelope is 100% your SBTPG refund card! I got the exact same one from that DC address (PO BOX 98285) with all those same markings - "Immediate Response Requested," "Do Not Bend," and "Member FDIC BANK." I was confused too at first because it looks so official and formal. The "Immediate Response Requested" just means you need to activate the card once you open it - not that there's any emergency or urgent issue. Your refund money should already be loaded on the card. Just open it up and follow the activation instructions inside (you can do it online or by phone). The whole process took me about 5 minutes and then I had full access to my refund. This is totally normal for SBTPG - they always send their prepaid debit cards in these official-looking envelopes. Don't stress about it, your money is sitting right there waiting for you to activate it! 💰

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Thanks for the detailed explanation! This is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been so paranoid about opening that envelope because it looked so official and government-like. Really appreciate you confirming it's just their standard way of sending refund cards. Going to activate it right now - been waiting way too long for this refund! 🙌

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That envelope you described is definitely your SBTPG refund card! I got the exact same one from that Washington DC PO Box address about 2 weeks ago with all the same markings - "Immediate Response Requested," "Do Not Bend," and "Member FDIC BANK." I was super confused at first too because it looks so official and intimidating. The "Immediate Response Requested" just means you need to activate the card when you get it - nothing urgent or emergency-related. Your refund should already be loaded on there waiting for you! Just open it up and follow the activation instructions (can be done online or by phone in just a few minutes). This is totally normal for SBTPG - they always send their prepaid debit cards in these official-looking envelopes. Don't overthink it like I did, just activate it and get your money! 💸

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