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This exact thing happened to me. Call the Treasury Offset Program directly at 800-304-3107. Don't waste time with the IRS line. The TOP line will tell you exactly who claimed your refund and why. In my case, it was an old state tax debt I didn't know about. You need to talk to them first before you can fix anything. The IRS just does the withholding - they often don't know the specific reason.
I called the TOP number on March 12th and they told me my offset was for a student loan from 2018, but I had documentation showing I paid it off on December 5th, 2023. Has anyone successfully reversed an incorrect offset? How long did the process take?
I solved this exact problem last month. Here's what I did: 1. First, I requested my 2022 account transcript (not return transcript) 2. I found a TC 420 code on my transcript showing an adjustment 3. Then I found a TC 290 showing additional tax assessed 4. I called the IRS and asked specifically about these codes 5. Turns out they had adjusted my return due to a missing 1099 form 6. I never received the adjustment notice they claimed to have sent 7. I filed Form 843 to request abatement of the penalty portion I was surprised how easy it was once I knew what to look for. The IRS actually approved my penalty abatement request in just 3 weeks!
I was in your exact situation last month. According to the IRS2Go app and Where's My Refund tool, my deposit date was 2/15, but I had opted for TurboTax's refund transfer. I couldn't access SBTPG either, which was frustrating. The good news is my refund hit my account on 2/17 - so just two business days after the IRS date. The TurboTax support page (https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support) has a specific section about refund transfers that explains this timeline is normal. Hang in there!
If you can't access SBTPG, you might try contacting your bank directly. Many larger banks can see pending ACH transfers 1-2 days before they post to your account. Just tell them you're expecting an ACH deposit from "SBTPG LLC" or "TurboTax" and ask if they can see anything pending. This worked for me when I was in a similar situation - my bank could see the pending deposit a day before it actually posted to my account.
Be careful about planning to spend that money on Monday! I had this exact situation on February 17th - SBTG showed funded, but my credit union didn't post it until February 21st. Even though the DDD was February 19th. Some banks hold electronic deposits for verification, especially if it's a large amount. I'd recommend not making any important payments until you actually see the money in your account.
Think of this like an electronic mail carrier. The IRS packed your refund (letter), SBTG picked it up from the post office (funded status), and now it's on the delivery truck headed to your bank's mailbox. Some mailboxes get checked multiple times a day (credit unions, online banks), while others only get checked on business days (traditional banks). I had a $3,478 refund hit my account at exactly 3:27am on a Saturday - a full 2 days before my DDD of Monday. My credit union processes ACH transfers at night, even on weekends.
Does this apply if you got a refund advance or had fees taken out? My tax preparer took their fee from my refund so I'm wondering if that changes anything about the timing?
This is exactly right. That mail carrier analogy is perfect. Thanks for explaining it so clearly!
According to the Federal Reserve's ACH processing protocols, financial institutions receive tax refund deposits up to 48 hours before the official DDD. The Treasury Financial Manual stipulates that the IRS initiates these transactions via the NACHA system approximately 2 business days prior to the DDD. Cashapp, being a non-traditional financial service provider, typically adheres to a T+1 settlement window but has discretionary hold policies that vary by user account status and transaction history.
I can confirm this is exactly what happened with my refund last month. My DDD was on a Thursday, and Cashapp deposited it Wednesday morning. I was literally down to my last $20 and needed it for rent, so that early deposit saved me from late fees.
PLEASE be careful with Cashapp for tax refunds! Per IRS Publication 1345 Section 5.2, direct deposits must go to accounts in the taxpayer's name. I had my refund rejected last year because my Cashapp account name didn't exactly match my tax return. The IRS then had to mail a paper check which took 6 additional weeks! Make absolutely sure your Cashapp account information matches your tax filing EXACTLY or you could face significant delays beyond your DDD!
Edward McBride
States adjust tax brackets annually. Most tie to inflation. Some don't. Check your state's inflation adjustment factor. Usually around 3-4% this year. Makes a big difference. Also look at withholding tables. Many states updated them. Your employer might be using new calculations. Simple explanation. Nothing to worry about.
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Darcy Moore
I'm so happy for you getting a refund after so long! š I help people with their taxes at our community center, and we've seen this exact situation happen to many folks this year. Several states increased their standard deductions and adjusted their tax brackets to account for inflation. Some states also introduced new credits for working families or property tax relief programs that automatically apply if you meet certain criteria. It's definitely worth looking into the specific changes in your state!
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