Next time use a real bank account instead of these prepaid cards. Nothing but headaches with those things.

Check your Where's My Refund tool on the IRS website - it'll show if your direct deposit failed and when they're issuing a paper check. The Green Dot verification issues are super common, especially this time of year when their system gets overloaded. Your refund will still come, just might take a few extra weeks as a check instead of direct deposit.

Word of warning: don't assume everything is fine just because you got your refund. Last year my transcript didn't show up for months, and when it finally did, it showed an audit was underway. The IRS had sent notices to my old address that I never received. By the time I found out, I owed an extra $3,200 with penalties. Not saying this is happening to you, but if you need that transcript soon, I'd recommend calling the IRS directly rather than waiting. The online system has so many bugs it's ridiculous.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue! Filed in early March, got my refund three weeks ago, but my 2023 transcript is nowhere to be found on the IRS website. I've been checking almost daily because I need it for a student loan income verification. It's reassuring to see I'm not alone in this - I was starting to wonder if something went wrong with my filing. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like this is just the reality of dealing with the IRS during busy season. I'll try to be more patient and check back in a couple weeks. Thanks for posting this question Hannah, you probably helped a lot of us who are in the same boat!

One important thing to remember about Form 8839 amendments: make sure you're keeping track of which expenses you're claiming in which tax year. I got audited because I accidentally claimed the same adoption expenses on both my 2021 and 2022 returns (I had finalization in one year and expenses in both). The IRS was actually pretty reasonable about it, but it was stressful.

For anyone dealing with adoption credit amendments, keep in mind the IRS has increased scrutiny on these forms because of past abuse. When I amended my 8839, I included a cover letter explaining exactly what changed and why, plus copies of all documentation (court papers showing finalization dates, receipts for expenses, etc). My amendment was processed without any questions.

Don't forget to check if you'll owe a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. The IRS and most states charge penalties if you didn't pay enough throughout the year. There's a safe harbor if you paid at least 90% of current year tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if high income).

I went through something very similar when I relocated from Florida to New Jersey a few years ago. The Tennessee to Massachusetts move explains almost everything - you went from zero state income tax to a 5% flat rate, which on your $138k income is about $6,900. That matches your bill perfectly. The tricky part with mid-year moves is that your employer's payroll system often doesn't automatically switch state withholding rates. Many companies require you to actively submit new state tax forms when you relocate. I learned this the hard way and ended up owing about $4,500 my first year in NJ. For immediate relief, definitely look into the underpayment penalty waiver that others mentioned - Form 2210 with reasonable cause explanation about the move. Most states are understanding about relocation situations if you can show it was due to employer withholding errors rather than negligence on your part. Going forward, make sure HR updates both your federal W-4 (since Massachusetts is higher cost of living, you might want to adjust allowances) and submit a Massachusetts M-4. Consider having extra withheld for a few months to catch up on any shortfall that's already accumulated this year.

Maybe suggest your family use Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Remitly? They're made specifically for international transfers and have much better exchange rates than banks typically offer. That way you don't have to be the middleman and risk potential issues with your accounts or taxes. Just an alternative solution to consider!

This is exactly why I always tell people to be really careful about mixing personal finances with family favors. Even with the best intentions, you can end up in regulatory gray areas that are hard to navigate. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the potential FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) implications. If you're facilitating transfers to/from foreign accounts, and the IRS determines you had a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign accounts totaling more than $10,000 at any time during the year, you might have additional reporting requirements. Also, your bank's algorithms are probably already flagging these patterns. Banks use sophisticated software to detect unusual activity, and frequent round-trip transfers (money in, then out to different recipients) is a classic red flag for money laundering, even if that's not what you're doing. I'd strongly recommend documenting everything retroactively - create a spreadsheet with dates, amounts, sources, and recipients for every transaction. Include any text messages, emails, or other communications that show these were legitimate family transfers. If questions ever arise, having this documentation ready will be crucial. But honestly, the safest move is to stop this practice immediately and help your family set up proper international transfer services like Wise, Remitly, or even traditional wire transfers through their own banks.