its ridiculous we have to wait so long for OUR money. the govmt takes it instantly but takes forever to give it back smh

@Dylan Hughes for transcript access, try using ID.me verification on the IRS website - it's usually more reliable than the standard login. You can also call the automated transcript line at 1-800-908-9946 if the website keeps giving errors. The transcript will show cycle codes and DDD (direct deposit date) if one has been issued for your refund. Way more detailed info than the basic "Where's My Amended Return" tool.

Just to clarify for everyone, this rule about TINs being more important than exact names applies to all information returns (1099s, W-2s, etc). I used to stress about getting company names exactly right until my accountant explained that the matching system primarily relies on the TIN. This is why banks and employers are required by law to provide accurate TINs.

Great question! I dealt with this exact issue last year with a brokerage firm that had an incredibly long name. The key thing to remember is that the IRS matching system is primarily designed around the TIN (taxpayer identification number), not the exact business name. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. **TIN is critical** - Make absolutely sure this 9-digit number is correct. This is how the IRS matches your reported income with what the payer filed. 2. **Partial names are fine** - Just enter as much of the company name as the character limit allows, starting from the beginning. Don't try to abbreviate or modify it. 3. **Match your 1099-INT** - Enter the name exactly as it appears on your form, even if it gets cut off in the software. Most tax software has reasonable character limits that accommodate standard business names, but some investment firms and financial institutions do have unusually long names. The IRS systems are built to handle these situations, so as long as your TIN is accurate and the beginning portion of the name matches what's on your 1099-INT, you shouldn't have any issues with processing or matching. Hope this helps put your mind at ease!

these clowns at the irs need to get it together fr. every year its the same mess 🤡

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed last week and got the same "letter requesting more information" message. It's so stressful because like you said, nothing changed from last year. I called the IRS helpline but they just said to wait for the letter. Really hoping it's just routine verification like Santiago mentioned and not something more serious. Keep us updated when you get your letter!

Technically HRB doesn't "use" any bank for direct deposit to your personal account. If you just did standard direct deposit, the IRS sends it directly to your bank. If the account/routing number is correct but no money arrived, then either: 1) Your bank rejected it for some reason (name mismatch, closed account, etc) or 2) The IRS is having a delay. You need to call the IRS because if your bank rejected it, the IRS automatically converts to a paper check but this takes several more weeks.

I've been through this exact situation and it's so frustrating! Based on your transcript showing code 846 on 5/22 and no deposit after 8 days, the direct deposit was almost certainly rejected by your bank. The IRS has probably already initiated a paper check but it won't show up on your transcript right away. A few things to check: Make sure the name on your tax return matches your bank account exactly (even middle initials matter), and call your bank's customer service to ask if they have any record of rejecting a deposit - sometimes they don't proactively tell you. The paper check should arrive within 2-4 weeks of the rejection, but getting confirmation from the IRS directly will give you peace of mind about the timeline. Hang in there - you'll get your money, it's just taking the scenic route!

I literally just finished my taxes and had this exact same question! What I ended up putting was "Web development business startup costs - equipment purchases, hosting services, and business licenses." TurboTax accepted that with no issues. Make sure you keep good records of all your startup expenses though. If you ever get audited, you'll need to show what exactly made up that $3,500. I created a spreadsheet with all my expenses and kept digital copies of all receipts just to be safe.

For expense tracking, I've been using a combination of QuickBooks Self-Employed and just taking photos of receipts with my phone immediately after purchases. QuickBooks automatically categorizes most transactions from your bank account, and you can snap photos of cash receipts right in the app. The key is to stay on top of it - I spent like 10 minutes every Sunday just reviewing the week's expenses and making sure everything was categorized correctly. Way easier than trying to sort through a pile of crumpled receipts at tax time! There are also simpler apps like Expensify if you don't need full accounting software. Just make sure whatever system you use can export everything to a spreadsheet or PDF for tax purposes. Having organized records makes filling out those TurboTax fields so much less stressful.