Don't beat yourself up too much about this - it's actually a pretty common mistake! I've seen several people in tax prep forums make similar errors with MICR numbers, routing numbers, and account numbers. The good news is that while it's frustrating, it's not going to cause any major problems beyond the delay. One thing to keep in mind is that when the IRS switches to sending a paper check, make sure your mailing address is current with them. If you've moved recently, you might want to file a Form 8822 (Change of Address) to ensure the check gets to you. The last thing you want is for the check to get lost in the mail on top of the direct deposit issue. Also, for future reference, most banks have their routing and account numbers clearly listed in online banking or on deposit slips, which tends to be more reliable than trying to read the MICR line. Live and learn!

I work for a tax prep company and see this exact mistake multiple times every tax season, so don't feel too bad about it! The MICR line confusion is surprisingly common, especially when people are rushing to meet deadlines. Here's what typically happens: The IRS will attempt the direct deposit first, your bank will reject it due to the invalid account format, and then the IRS automatically switches to mailing a paper check to your address on file. This usually adds about 3-4 weeks to your refund timeline from the original direct deposit date. One tip for the future - when entering banking info, always double-check by logging into your online banking and copying the account number directly from there rather than trying to decipher it from a check or deposit slip. Most banks display it clearly in a "Account Details" or "Account Summary" section. Also, if you're ever unsure, you can always choose to receive a paper check from the start to avoid any potential deposit issues. The silver lining is that this delay gives you time to make sure your address is current with the IRS, especially if you've moved recently!

I'm new to this community but had to jump in because I'm currently facing this exact situation! My tax preparer has been giving me the runaround for 3 weeks now, and reading through everyone's experiences has been both validating and incredibly helpful. I'm planning to combine several of the strategies mentioned here. First, I'm going to send the certified letter using Drake's template - that specific language about IRS regulations seems perfect for establishing a paper trail. While I'm waiting for their response, I'm also going to try taxr.ai to get a better understanding of what my return should actually contain, especially after reading Isabella's experience about discovering missed deductions. One thing that really stands out from this thread is how common this problem apparently is. It makes me wonder if some preparers are deliberately making it difficult to get copies because they don't want clients scrutinizing their work. The fact that multiple people found errors or missed deductions once they finally got their documents is pretty concerning. Has anyone had success getting their state tax authority involved if the preparer is licensed at the state level? I'm wondering if there are additional complaint avenues beyond just the IRS Form 14157 that Omar mentioned. Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences and solutions - this thread is exactly what I needed to feel confident about pushing back against my unresponsive preparer!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it aligns perfectly with what everyone is discussing here. I just went through this exact situation about two months ago, and the combination of strategies mentioned in this thread absolutely works! My tax preparer kept stalling for over a month with various excuses (sound familiar?). After reading similar advice elsewhere, I sent a certified letter demanding my complete tax return within 7 days, citing IRS requirements for paid preparers. Within 4 days, they called to schedule a pickup. But here's where it gets interesting - when I finally got my return, something felt off about the numbers. I decided to try taxr.ai that several people mentioned here to double-check everything. The analysis revealed that my preparer had completely missed my student loan interest deduction and underreported my charitable contributions by about $300. I ended up filing an amended return and got an additional $180 refund. What's frustrating is that if I hadn't pushed for my documents and then verified them independently, I would have just accepted their work at face value. For anyone currently dealing with this - definitely use the certified letter approach, but also consider getting an independent analysis of what your return should contain. It's eye-opening to see how often there are discrepancies when preparers are being evasive about providing copies. This community is incredibly helpful for navigating these situations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!

One thing nobody's mentioned - make sure you keep REALLY good records about your caregiving arrangement. My cousin got audited last year specifically about her 2014-7 exempt income, and the IRS wanted to see: - Documentation from the agency showing it's a Medicaid waiver program - Proof that the person you're caring for lives with you (same address) - Medical documentation showing the family member requires care - Your certification or training as a caregiver (if applicable) - A log of care hours provided The IRS is definitely looking at these exemptions more carefully now. Even though the income is exempt, they want to make sure people actually qualify for the exemption.

I'd recommend keeping those records for at least 7 years, especially for something as specific as the 2014-7 exemption. While the IRS generally has 3 years to audit most returns, they have 6 years if they suspect you've understated income by more than 25%. Since caregiver income exemptions are relatively uncommon and the IRS is scrutinizing them more closely, having documentation readily available for the extended period gives you better protection. Also, state tax agencies might have different audit timelines than the federal IRS, so the longer retention period covers you there too. Digital copies work fine - just scan everything and keep it organized by tax year. It's much easier than trying to recreate documentation years later if questions arise.

I'm going through this exact same frustrating situation right now! Filed my Michigan state return in early May and I'm currently at 4 weeks in review status with zero communication from them. Like everyone else here, my federal refund came through quickly with no issues, but Michigan just keeps showing that same generic "under review" message. What's really getting to me is the complete lack of transparency - no explanation of what they're reviewing, no timeline estimates, absolutely nothing. I've been checking my mail constantly thinking maybe I missed a letter, but there's been total radio silence from Michigan Treasury. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both helpful and honestly pretty scary. The fact that 8-12+ weeks has become the "new normal" this year is just insane - we shouldn't have to wait months for our own money while they provide zero accountability! I'm definitely going to try the secure messaging through Michigan Treasury Online that so many people have mentioned, especially once I hit the longer wait times. It's ridiculous that we have to crowdsource solutions just to figure out how to get our refunds from our own state government. Thanks Emma for starting this thread - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with Michigan's completely broken system, even though none of us should have to go through this nightmare. Hopefully we all get our money soon! 🤞

I'm going through the exact same nightmare! Filed my Michigan state return in mid-April and I'm currently at 6 weeks stuck in review with absolutely zero explanation from them. Like everyone else here, my federal refund came through in under 3 weeks with no problems, but Michigan just keeps showing that same useless "under review" message every time I check. What's really infuriating is the complete lack of communication - no letter explaining what's being reviewed, no timeline estimates, nothing. I've been checking my mail religiously but haven't received any requests for additional documentation. Reading through all these experiences, it's both reassuring and maddening to see that 8-12+ weeks has unfortunately become the "new normal" for Michigan this year. That's completely unacceptable - we shouldn't have to wait months for our own money while they provide zero transparency! I'm definitely going to try the secure messaging through Michigan Treasury Online since so many people have had success with that approach compared to the phone system (which sounds like a complete waste of time). It's crazy that we have to crowdsource solutions just to figure out how to get our refunds from our own state government. Thanks Emma for starting this thread - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with Michigan's completely broken system, even though none of us should have to endure this! Hopefully we all get our money soon. 🤞

This has been such a valuable discussion! I went through this exact routing number confusion with my Chase account last year. One thing I learned that might help others - if you're still unsure after checking all the sources mentioned here, you can actually do a test with a small amount first. Some people don't know this, but you can set up a small direct deposit from your employer or even transfer a few dollars from another account to verify that your routing and account numbers work correctly with the ACH system. This way, if there's an issue, you'll find out with a small test transaction rather than your entire tax refund. Also, for anyone using mobile banking apps - most major banks now have a specific "Tax Refund" or "Direct Deposit Info" section in their apps that shows exactly the routing and account numbers formatted for tax purposes. I found this in my Chase app under "Account Details" and it explicitly said "Use this routing number for tax refunds and direct deposits." Really takes the guesswork out of it! The peace of mind is definitely worth the extra few minutes to verify everything is correct before filing.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to this community and just went through filing my taxes for the first time as an independent adult. The routing number confusion is so real - I spent way too long on my credit union's website trying to figure out which number to use. What really helped me was calling my credit union directly and specifically asking for "the routing number I should use for IRS direct deposit." The representative immediately knew what I needed and even double-checked my account number format to make sure everything would process correctly. One thing I'd add for other newcomers - if you're using a smaller bank or credit union, they're usually really helpful with this stuff since they deal with fewer customers. Don't be afraid to call and ask! The customer service rep I spoke with said they get tons of calls about this every tax season, so it's definitely not a dumb question. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - it's reassuring to know that even experienced filers have run into these same issues!