Former bank employee here - sometimes there's a delay between when a direct debit is initiated and when it actually posts to your account. The IRS processes payments in batches, and sometimes they don't even attempt to pull the funds until a day or two after the deadline. This happens a lot with government payments. As long as you initiated it before the deadline, the timestamp on their end shows you made the attempt on time. The actual settlement date isn't what determines if you're late or not.

This is such a common concern during tax season! As someone who's dealt with similar anxiety, I want to echo what others have said - you're in good shape. The key principle the IRS follows is that your payment is considered timely if you initiated it before the deadline, regardless of when the actual withdrawal occurs. I had a very similar experience two years ago where my direct debit didn't process until almost a week after the deadline, but because I had scheduled it through my tax software before April 18th, there were no penalties. The IRS systems create a record of when you authorized the payment, and that's what matters for compliance purposes. One thing that might give you additional peace of mind - if you log into your IRS online account in a few days and still see a balance due, don't panic. Their systems often show the balance until the payment fully processes, which can take several business days after it leaves your bank account. The processing delay you're experiencing is completely normal given the volume they handle during filing season. You've done everything correctly by filing early and scheduling the payment before the deadline. Try not to stress about it!

PSA: DO NOT dm random ppl offering help with your taxes!!! Even if they say they dont need personal info, its sketchy af

Wow, $1,441 in interest is actually pretty decent compensation for the wait! I'm dealing with a similar amended return situation - been stuck since March with various holds. Your timeline gives me hope that things will eventually move. Quick question: did you notice any pattern with the cycle codes? Mine shows 20243605 on my last update and I'm trying to figure out if that means anything for timing.

Does anyone know if this is still an issue with Sprintax for the 2024 tax season? Their website seems to imply they can e-file everything now, but I'm skeptical after reading this thread.

This is exactly why I ended up switching to a different approach this year! After getting burned by Sprintax's misleading marketing last season, I did some research and found that most states simply don't have the infrastructure to accept e-filed returns from non-resident aliens - it's not just a Sprintax limitation. What worked for me was using the IRS Free File program for my federal return (since I qualified income-wise) and then going directly to my state's tax website to see if they had any online filing options for non-residents. Some states like New York actually do have basic online forms you can fill out and submit electronically, even as a non-resident. The key is to check your specific state's department of revenue website first before paying for any third-party service. You might be able to do everything yourself for free and avoid the paper mailing hassle entirely. Wish I had known this before spending money on services that can't actually deliver what they promise!

Somewhat unrelated but if you do decide to claim those miles, make sure you're using the correct mileage rate! For 2024 tax year it's 67 cents per mile which is higher than previous years. Also, use a dedicated mileage tracking app that logs your location. The IRS has been getting stricter about documentation for mileage claims, especially for gig workers. I learned this the hard way when I got audited for my Uber driving miles last year.

I've been in a similar situation with my rideshare driving and learned a lot about this from experience. The key thing the IRS looks at is whether your trip would have happened anyway without the business purpose. Since you're visiting friends monthly regardless, those 150 miles each way are personal travel. However, you're absolutely right to track all the miles you drive while actually working in that city - those are 100% deductible business miles. Don't shortchange yourself there! One thing to consider: if you can show that you're strategically choosing to visit during peak earning times (like weekends or events) and you're making substantial income there, you might have a stronger case. But honestly, given that visiting friends is your primary reason, I'd stick with your conservative approach. The IRS has been cracking down on gig worker deductions lately, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Focus on maximizing your legitimate deductions (the actual delivery miles, phone bills, car maintenance) rather than pushing the envelope on questionable ones.

Just went through this exact situation last year. Here's something important - check if your tax software is correctly differentiating between "excess depreciation" and regular depreciation on Form 8829. Sometimes the software puts numbers in line 44 that include both. In my case, I had to look at line 42 from each year to get the actual depreciation amount. Line 44 was higher because it included some casualty losses. Make sure you're not overstating your recapture amount!

I went through this exact nightmare two years ago when we sold our house after running a consulting business from home for 6 years. The depreciation recapture hit us for about $18k that we weren't prepared for. A few critical things I learned the hard way: First, definitely look at Form 8829 line 42 (not just line 44) from each year - that's the actual depreciation amount. Line 44 can include other items that aren't subject to recapture. Second, even if you forgot to claim depreciation in some years, the IRS considers you "entitled to take it" so you may still owe recapture on the amount you should have claimed. The 25% recapture rate applies regardless of your regular tax bracket, which is why it creates such a big hit. And yes, it's completely separate from the $500k exclusion - that was the part that blindsided us. One thing that helped: if you improved the office space during those years (new flooring, electrical work, etc.), those improvements may reduce your recapture amount since they increase your basis. Make sure you account for any business-related improvements to the office area. Given the dollar amounts involved, it might be worth paying for a consultation with a different CPA who specializes in real estate transactions, even if it's just for a one-time review.