The IRS typically processes refunds in 8-day cycles. Returns filed and accepted on February 12-19 likely received February 24-26 deposit dates. Returns processed February 20-27 would receive March 2-5 deposit dates. It's purely mathematical batch processing. PNC specifically takes exactly 24 hours to post pending deposits after receiving them from the Treasury. 76% of direct deposits arrive on or before the WMR projected date, 19% arrive 1-2 days early, and 5% experience delays beyond the projected date.

I had a similar experience with PNC last year - my deposit date was about 5 days later than friends with other banks, but the refund actually showed up 2 days before the scheduled date. From what I've observed, PNC tends to be more conservative with their deposit posting compared to banks like Chime or Credit Karma that sometimes release funds early. The good news is that March 2nd is likely a "no later than" date rather than an exact date. Your state tax situation shouldn't impact federal refund timing at all - they're completely separate systems. I'd suggest checking your IRS transcript if you haven't already, as it might show more specific processing codes that could explain the batch timing.

You mentioned your wife's CPA vs your CPA who specializes in 1099 work. Honestly, I'd go with the specialist. Regular CPAs often don't understand all the self-employment deductions available. I'm a contractor too and switched to a CPA who specializes in self-employed people. The difference was an extra $7,200 in legitimate deductions he found compared to my previous "general" accountant. Make sure whoever does your taxes understands the QBI deduction (Qualified Business Income) - that's a 20% deduction on your net business income that many preparers miss!

I completely understand your frustration - the transition from W-2 to 1099 is brutal that first year! I went through the exact same shock when I became a contractor. A few things that might help your situation: First, regarding filing jointly vs separately - you're absolutely right that joint filing is almost always better. The marriage penalty for filing separately is real, and you'd lose out on a lot of deductions and credits. Second, don't let the tax bill completely drain your savings if you don't have to. The IRS offers payment plans that are pretty reasonable. You can set up an installment agreement online and pay over time rather than all at once. The interest rate is much better than credit cards. For your business expenses, be aggressive but legitimate. Since you travel to client sites, make sure you're tracking: - Mileage between client locations (not your commute, but travel between sites) - Phone bill percentage used for business - Home office if you have a dedicated space - Any tools, supplies, or equipment you purchased - Professional development, licensing, or training costs The key is documentation. Start a simple spreadsheet or use an app to track everything going forward. One last thought - consider making quarterly estimated tax payments for 2025 starting in April. It'll prevent this same situation next year and help with cash flow. You've got this! The first year is always the hardest.

Ok maybe a slightly dumb question but what happens if the grandmother DOES claim these gifts as tax deductions on her return? Will the IRS automatically catch this or would it potentially go unnoticed until an audit?

This is a really common misconception that trips up a lot of people! You're absolutely correct - personal gifts to family members are not tax deductible, even though there's no gift tax owed on amounts under the annual exclusion ($17,000 for 2024). The confusion often comes from mixing up three separate concepts: 1) the annual gift tax exclusion (how much you can give without paying gift tax), 2) income tax deductions (which personal gifts don't qualify for), and 3) charitable deductions (which only apply to qualified organizations, not individuals). Since you mentioned she's planning her taxes around these expected deductions, this could definitely cause problems when she files. She might end up owing more tax than anticipated if she's counting on deductions that don't exist. It's a delicate situation, but maybe you or your partner could gently suggest she double-check with a tax professional before filing, just to be safe?

I'm going through something very similar! Filed in late February, accepted immediately, but my transcript has been stuck showing N/A for everything for over 10 weeks now. No 806 code, blank wage transcripts, the whole mess. What's really frustrating is that I've confirmed with both my employers that they submitted all the forms correctly and on time. I've been checking my transcript obsessively (probably not healthy lol) and calling the IRS repeatedly but keep getting disconnected after hours on hold. The "Where's My Refund" tool is completely useless - just keeps saying "still processing" with no timeline or explanation. I'm expecting about $1,800 back and really needed it for some unexpected medical bills. It's so stressful not knowing if there's an actual problem or if it's just sitting in some digital pile somewhere. Has anyone found a way to get real answers about what's causing these delays? At this point I'd pay someone just to tell me what's actually happening with my return!

I'm in the exact same boat! Filed March 8th, accepted immediately, and now it's been 10 weeks with absolutely nothing. No 806 code, completely blank wage transcripts, and the "Where's My Refund" tool just mocks me with "still processing." I'm expecting around $3,100 back and desperately need it for some home repairs after a pipe burst last month. What's really driving me crazy is that I've called my employer multiple times and they confirmed they submitted everything correctly and on time. I've tried calling the IRS probably 15 times but either get disconnected after hours of hold music or the system just hangs up on me when I finally get through the automated maze. I've been reading through all these comments and it sounds like there might be some tools or services that could help figure out what's actually going on. Has anyone here actually tried the taxr.ai thing that keeps getting mentioned? At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some real answers instead of just sitting here wondering if my return disappeared into some digital black hole. The worst part is not knowing if there's an actual problem that needs fixing or if it's just going to magically appear one day. The uncertainty is killing me!

The income timing strategy mentioned by others is definitely worth exploring if you have any flexibility. I was in a similar situation last year and managed to qualify by pushing some consulting income from December to January. One thing to be careful about though - if you're a W-2 employee, you can't really control when your employer pays you, and attempting to defer already-earned wages might create other tax complications. But if you have self-employment income, freelance work, or bonuses with flexible timing, that could be your ticket. Also worth noting that if you're close to the limit, be extra careful about things like capital gains from selling investments, as those can unexpectedly push you over. I'd suggest running the numbers with a conservative buffer since you don't want to get surprised by income you forgot about when you're doing your 2025 taxes. The $7,500 credit is definitely worth some strategic planning if you can make it work legitimately!

Another strategy to consider is contributing to a traditional IRA if you're eligible. Even if you have a 401k at work, you might still be able to deduct traditional IRA contributions depending on your income level and whether you're covered by an employer plan. For 2025, the contribution limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if you're 50 or older). Also, don't forget about other above-the-line deductions that reduce MAGI: if you're self-employed, you can deduct health insurance premiums and half of your self-employment tax. Student loan interest (up to $2,500) is another deduction if applicable. One thing I learned the hard way is to factor in all income sources - not just salary. Things like bank interest, dividends from taxable accounts, and even unemployment compensation count toward MAGI. I almost missed qualifying because I forgot about some dividend income that pushed me just over the threshold. Since you're about $10k over, the combination of maxing retirement contributions, HSA if available, and careful income timing might actually get you there. Just make sure to track everything carefully throughout 2025 so you know where you stand before taking delivery.