Filed March 1st, got my refund last week. No rhyme or reason to how they process these things honestly

I'm in the same boat - filed mine in late January and still showing "processing" on the NYS website. It's really frustrating not knowing what's going on or having any realistic timeline. At least with federal returns you usually get some kind of update, but NYS just leaves you hanging. Has anyone tried calling their taxpayer services line? Wondering if it's worth the inevitable hold time.

Does FreeTaxUSA allow you to file with an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number? My spouse is waiting on their SSN but we need to file soon.

I made the switch to FreeTaxUSA last year after using TurboTax for almost a decade, and I completely agree with your assessment! The lack of constant upselling was such a breath of fresh air. What really sold me was when I realized I was paying $120+ with TurboTax for features I didn't even need, while FreeTaxUSA handled my situation (W-2, some dividend income, and standard deductions) perfectly for just the small state filing fee. One thing I appreciated was their interview process - it asks the right questions without being condescending or overly simplified. They also have a really useful side-by-side comparison feature where you can see how your current year compares to previous years, which helped me catch a couple of things I might have missed otherwise. The only minor downside I found was that their mobile interface isn't quite as polished as some competitors, but honestly, for the savings and straightforward experience, it's a non-issue. Already planning to use them again this year!

Can anyone explain what the rules are for inactive accounts? My mom has an old 401k that she hasn't touched in like 15 years, and now I'm worried they could just send her a check someday and mess up her retirement plans.

This is exactly why it's so important to keep your contact information updated with all financial institutions, even on "set it and forget it" accounts. I'm sorry this happened to you - it's incredibly frustrating when a brokerage takes such drastic action without proper notice. One thing to add to the great advice already given: when you do close your remaining accounts with Bridgeway, make absolutely sure to request direct trustee-to-trustee transfers to your new institution rather than receiving checks. This avoids any possibility of triggering taxable events or missing rollover deadlines. Also, for future reference, it's worth setting calendar reminders to log into retirement accounts at least once a year, even if you're not making changes. This simple action usually resets any "inactivity" timers and ensures you receive important communications. Some people also set up small automatic contributions (even $25/month) to keep accounts clearly active. The silver lining is that you found a way to use the education expense exception - that's going to save you significant money on penalties. Make sure to keep detailed records of your daughter's qualified education expenses to support that exception if the IRS ever asks.

FYI the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website is basically useless. It has the same generic status messages for weeks. I called them after waiting 35 days this year and found out there was a simple issue they needed to verify. I wish they'd just tell us what's happening instead of those vague messages.

Dylan, I totally understand your anxiety! I went through something similar last year. The 21 days is calendar days, and you're only at day 16, so you're still well within the normal timeframe. That status message change is actually super common - it doesn't mean there's a problem, just that your return needs a bit more review time. Could be something as simple as verifying information with your employer or bank. Since you have bills due, you might want to have a backup plan just in case, but honestly most people with that message still get their refunds within the 21-day window. Try not to stress too much - easier said than done, I know! If you hit day 21 without an update, that's when I'd start making calls to get more info.

Make sure you're filing as "deceased" correctly. The tax return should have "DECEASED" written across the top with the date of death. The signature line should be signed by the executor as "Personal Representative for [brother's name]." Also, you might need to file Form 56 to notify the IRS of fiduciary relationship. And don't forget that your brother's standard deduction amount doesn't change just because he didn't live the full year - he's entitled to the full amount.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sarah. Dealing with uncooperative employers during an already difficult time is incredibly frustrating. Here's something that might help - you can also try contacting your state's Department of Labor or Wage and Hour Division. They often have authority over employers who fail to provide required tax documents and can sometimes get faster results than going through the IRS alone. Additionally, if your brother had direct deposit, his bank statements showing the exact deposit amounts and dates can be very helpful for the IRS. They can often match this up with what the employer actually reported (or should have reported) to verify the accuracy of your estimates. One more thing - make sure you're keeping detailed records of every attempt you've made to get the W-2. Document dates, who you spoke with, what they said, etc. This documentation will be valuable if the IRS has any questions later and shows you made good-faith efforts to get the correct information. You're doing a great job helping your family through this difficult process. Don't let this employer's lack of cooperation add unnecessary stress - you have options and the IRS understands these situations happen.