Don't overlook the importance of state tax knowledge! I used an out-of-state preparer once to save money and ended up missing out on several state-specific deductions. Cost me way more than I saved. At minimum, make sure whoever you use has experience with your specific state's LLC tax requirements, even if they're not physically located there.

I completely understand your stress about this situation - I was in a similar boat with my consulting LLC a couple years ago. Here's what I learned from my experience: You absolutely don't need a CPA for LLC tax preparation, especially if budget is a concern. An Enrolled Agent (EA) can handle everything you need and typically charges 20-40% less than CPAs. EAs are federally licensed and can represent you before the IRS, which is crucial when dealing with multiple years of unfiled returns and potential penalties. For the location question - physical proximity doesn't matter, but state tax expertise absolutely does. I made the mistake of using someone from out-of-state who didn't understand my state's specific LLC requirements and it ended up costing me more in the long run. Look for someone who specifically mentions experience with your state's tax laws, even if they're not physically located there. Given your multi-year backlog, focus on finding someone with experience in penalty abatement and catch-up filings. They can often get penalties reduced or waived entirely by properly explaining your circumstances to the IRS. Don't let the stress paralyze you - the longer you wait, the worse it gets. Getting accurate returns filed ASAP is what matters most, regardless of whether it's done by a CPA or EA. The IRS cares about accuracy and compliance, not the credentials of who prepares your returns. Good luck!

Pro tip: Write down all your previous addresses and employers for the past 3 years before you go. They love asking those surprise questions to trip people up lol

Been through this twice unfortunately. Besides what everyone mentioned, they might also ask about any changes in your banking info or direct deposit details from previous years. Also bring a recent pay stub if you're employed - they asked me about my current job even though it wasn't on my return yet. The whole thing took about 45 minutes but most of that was waiting. Good luck! 🤞

Thank you so much for asking this question! I'm in a similar situation - just started working full-time after college and this is my first year really needing to track my refund closely. From what I'm gathering from everyone's responses, transcripts are basically like getting a behind-the-scenes look at what the IRS is actually doing with your return, rather than just the basic "still processing" message on Where's My Refund. A few follow-up questions if anyone doesn't mind: 1. How often do transcripts typically update? Is it worth checking daily or just once a week? 2. Are there any specific codes that would indicate my return has an issue vs. just normal processing? 3. For someone like me who filed a pretty straightforward return (just W-2, standard deduction), what should I expect to see on my transcript timeline-wise? I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this stuff without making newcomers feel dumb for not knowing. The tax system can be so overwhelming when you're just starting out!

Great question! I'm also pretty new to this whole transcript thing. What I've learned from my own experience and reading through forums is that transcripts are basically like getting a detailed receipt of everything the IRS is doing with your return. The key thing that helped me understand it: think of the Where's My Refund tool as getting a text message saying "your package is in transit" versus the transcript being like detailed tracking that shows "package picked up at 2:15 PM, arrived at sorting facility at 4:30 PM, out for delivery at 8:00 AM" etc. For accessing them, you'll need to create an account on IRS.gov and verify your identity (they'll ask for info from credit reports, past tax returns, etc.). Once you're in, look for the "Account Transcript" option - that's the one that shows refund processing. The codes can look intimidating at first, but the main ones to know are: - 150: Your return was received and processed - 846: Refund issued (this will show your deposit date) - 570: Hold placed (usually just means they're verifying something) Since you filed a straightforward return, you'll probably just see the basic processing codes. Most people here check their transcripts weekly on their "cycle day" - you'll see what day that is once you access yours. Don't stress too much about learning every code right away; the community here is really helpful if you see something confusing!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My DDD is also 2/25 with Wells Fargo and I've been checking constantly since Friday with no pending deposit showing. After reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like this is totally normal for Wells Fargo - they seem to be the most conservative bank when it comes to showing tax refunds as pending. Based on what others are saying, I'm going to try to relax and just check Sunday night/Monday morning. It's reassuring to hear that even when WF shows deposits super late, they still hit on time. Thanks for posting this - you're definitely not alone in the obsessive checking! 😅

I'm in the exact same situation! DDD of 2/25 with Wells Fargo and have been checking nonstop since Thursday with nothing showing as pending yet. This thread is so reassuring - I had no idea Wells Fargo was consistently this slow with showing pending deposits compared to other banks. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I shouldn't expect to see anything until Sunday night or Monday morning at the earliest. The waiting is killing me but at least now I know this is completely normal for WF. Thanks for posting this question - you saved me from a lot of unnecessary stress and probably a pointless call to customer service! 😊

I'm in the same boat with TaxAct! One thing nobody mentioned - check your email spam folder. I found an email from the IRS with instructions about my payment plan that got filtered out. It had a link to set up my online account and explained the whole process. Also the letter confirming your payment plan approval (with all the details) comes separately from your tax return confirmation, so watch for that too. Once I got that letter and set up my online account, everything showed up correctly and I could manage my payments there.

Great to see this got resolved! Just wanted to add for anyone else in this situation - if you're still having trouble finding that IRS email or it never came through, you can also call the IRS automated line at 1-800-829-0922 and use the automated system to check your installment agreement status. You'll need your SSN and the exact amount you owe, but it can confirm if your payment plan was approved and when your first payment is due. I had a similar issue where the email never came (even checked spam) and this automated line saved me from waiting on hold. It also gives you the option to speak to a representative if you need to make changes, though as others mentioned, services like Claimyr can help you get through faster if the wait times are crazy.