make sure to check if they're using a legitimate PTIN (preparer tax identification number)! many of these sketchy tax preparers dont even have proper credentials. you can verify if they have a valid PTIN on the IRS website. if they dont, thats another violation to add to your report!!

This is exactly why I always tell people to be extremely cautious with tax preparers who promise unusually large refunds. As a general rule, if someone is guaranteeing you'll get way more money back than you've ever received before, that's a huge red flag. Beyond filing police reports in both jurisdictions (which is solid advice), make sure you also report this to the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility if the preparer claimed to have any professional credentials. They take unauthorized filings very seriously, especially when preparers are intercepting client refunds. Also document EVERYTHING - save all text messages, emails, voicemails, and any promotional materials they used to advertise their services. The more evidence you have of their fraudulent practices, the stronger your case will be. This kind of documentation can help other victims too if this becomes a larger investigation. You might want to check if there are other victims by searching online reviews or social media for complaints about this company. Sometimes these operations target multiple people with the same scheme.

I'm pretty sure you need to file Form 8606 along with your return when dealing with distributions from inherited Roth IRAs, especially when there's potentially taxable amounts involved. The form helps document your basis calculation. Has anyone here had to fill that out for a similar situation?

Just want to add another important consideration that I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand the distribution timeline requirements for inherited Roth IRAs. As a non-spouse beneficiary, your husband will need to completely distribute the entire inherited Roth IRA within 10 years of your mother-in-law's death (assuming she passed away in 2020 or later). This is separate from the tax calculation you're dealing with now, but it's crucial for planning purposes. Unlike the old "stretch" rules, you can't keep the money growing in the inherited Roth indefinitely. The good news is there are no required minimum distributions during those 10 years - you can take it all out in year 10 if you want, or spread it out however works best for your tax situation. Given that you're dealing with a relatively small taxable amount (if any), this might actually work in your favor for tax planning over the next decade.

Think of amended return refunds like ordering a custom cake - they're handled differently than the pre-made ones in the display case. I received my amended return DDD in March, and like clockwork, a paper check arrived in my mailbox about 7 days later. Not a single penny went to my bank account, even though my original return was direct deposited. It's like the IRS is still living in the stone age for certain processes! I'd strongly recommend setting up mail forwarding ASAP, and maybe even having a trusted neighbor check your mailbox if you're moving soon. The last thing you want is your check sitting in a mailbox while you're halfway across the country moving to your new duty station.

Based on my recent experience, I can confirm that amended returns are still predominantly issued as paper checks. I filed my 1040-X in January and just received my refund check last week, despite having direct deposit set up for my original return. The IRS seems to treat amended returns as a separate process entirely. Since you're PCSing soon, I'd definitely recommend updating your address with the IRS immediately and setting up mail forwarding with USPS. You can also call the IRS once you see movement on your transcript to confirm your current address on file - sometimes there are discrepancies that can delay delivery. The good news is that once you see the DDD, the check typically arrives within 7-10 business days in my experience. Just keep checking your mailbox and maybe ask a neighbor to keep an eye out if you're in the middle of your move!

Pro tip: take screenshots of your transcript every time you check it. The IRS website is notorious for going down when you need it most fr fr

Girl I feel your pain! 😅 Those transcript codes are like reading hieroglyphics. I was in the same boat last month - staring at all those numbers like 806, 150, 846 and having no clue what any of it meant. What helped me was literally googling each code individually and writing down what they meant. Code 846 is your actual refund amount, 150 is what you owed in taxes, and 806 is what was withheld from your paychecks. But honestly there are SO many other codes that can affect your final number - it's overwhelming af. If you want the easy route, some people here mentioned taxr.ai which apparently breaks it all down for you, but you can also just focus on finding that 846 code for now to see your refund amount!

I wanted to share my recent experience since it might help calm some nerves for those waiting! I just went through this exact situation last month - my 846 code appeared on a Tuesday with a DDD for that Friday, and I was checking my account obsessively just like many of you are doing now. The deposit actually hit my account (Chase) at 2:47 AM on the exact DDD, which was exactly 3 business days after the 846 code appeared. No pending notification beforehand, just suddenly there when I checked in the morning. What really struck me reading through this thread is how consistent everyone's experiences seem to be once you account for different banking processing schedules. The 1-5 business day window that keeps getting mentioned appears to be very accurate based on all the data points people are sharing here. For those of you still waiting (especially @Kiara Greene, @Charlotte White, and @Carmella Fromis), you're all still well within the normal timeframe. The anxiety is totally understandable - I was the same way - but based on everything shared here, your deposits should be arriving very soon. Keep checking those early morning hours, and please update us when they come through! This community knowledge sharing is incredibly valuable for future filers.

I'm new to this community but have been following along with everyone's experiences here, and I have to say this has been incredibly educational! I'm currently waiting for my refund after seeing my 846 code appear on 2/25 with a DDD of 2/28, so I'm right in the middle of that anxiety-inducing waiting period that so many of you have described. What really stands out to me from reading through all these comments is how consistent the timing seems to be across different banks and situations. The 1-5 business day window keeps coming up again and again, which gives me a lot more confidence than the vague information you typically find on official IRS resources. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips people have shared - like checking accounts during early morning hours when ACH processing typically happens, and understanding that many banks don't show government deposits as pending. I had no idea about either of those things before reading this thread! For those still waiting (including the original poster @Kiara Greene), it's really encouraging to see how many people have had positive outcomes within the expected timeframe. The data points from @Noland Curtis showing that 77% of people get their deposits within 2-3 business days are especially reassuring. I'll definitely update this thread when my deposit arrives to add another data point to help future filers. Thanks everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!