Has anyone else noticed that the processing times seem faster compared to last year? I filed on January 15th, 2024, and didn't get my refund until February 28th. This year, I filed on January 17th, 2025, and already received my refund on February 5th. I'm wondering if the IRS has improved their systems or if I just got lucky this time around?

For anyone else using TurboTax/Credit Karma for refund advances: remember that these are essentially short-term loans. The advance doesn't change your actual IRS processing time. Have you checked if your state refund is also being processed? Sometimes those follow a completely different timeline. And did you notice any fees associated with the advance that weren't clearly disclosed upfront?

Did you file with any special credits or deductions that might trigger additional review? Sometimes things like the Earned Income Credit or education credits can cause your return to go through additional verification steps before being fully accepted.

I filed on February 2nd this year and got my acceptance notification 3 hours later! 😂 But last year when I filed on April 12th (cutting it close, I know), it took 2 full days to get the acceptance. The IRS systems are probably like me after the holidays - moving a bit slower with all that extra weight to process. My advice is to check your tax software account rather than your email - sometimes the software updates before they send the notification.

The community wisdom on this one is pretty clear - you're in the normal processing queue and everything sounds on track! We see these "wrong info" messages every tax season, especially in the first 72 hours after filing. Think of it as the IRS's computer system having its morning coffee before getting to work 😂. The fact you got approved for the advance is actually a good sign since they've verified your basic eligibility. Most folks here will tell you the same thing: give it 2-3 days before worrying. Your refund timeline for EIC/CTC is typically 21 days from acceptance (not submission), so mark your calendar from when you get that acceptance confirmation.

I filed on January 29th this year with almost the identical situation - EIC, child credit, and got a tax advance. Had the same "info wrong" message on January 30th. By February 1st, everything was showing correctly in the system. My advance hit on February 2nd as scheduled, and my full refund was deposited on February 19th. The timing worked out perfectly because I needed the advance for a security deposit on February 5th, and then used the full refund to pay off some bills. Just wanted to share a successful timeline to give you some peace of mind!

Are you using Credit Karma Tax (now Cash App Taxes) or a different service? The advance policies work differently depending on which company you're filing through. Step 1: Check your service's specific terms. Step 2: Look for "Refund Advance" in your account. Step 3: Verify if your state qualifies - not all do.

Just want to share that I was in the same boat with a military transfer last year. According to Michigan Treasury Regulation 206.30(1), active duty military can qualify for certain tax benefits on their MI returns. I received my federal advance through TurboTax, but my Michigan refund came directly from the state about 12 days after filing. The state portion processed surprisingly fast once I figured out the military-specific sections!

According to Internal Revenue Code §6402(m) and the PATH Act provisions under §201 of Public Law 114-113, the IRS is required to hold refunds for returns claiming certain credits until at least February 15th. However, your situation is different since you filed after this date. The appearance of the PATH message indicates your return has entered the verification stage where they confirm eligibility for the Child Tax Credit. I empathize with your frustration - the system isn't very transparent about where exactly your return stands in the process. Many international filers experience additional verification steps, but these are typically completed within the standard 21-day window.

Let me walk you through what's happening with the PATH message: 1. When you first file: System shows "Return Received" 2. After basic processing: System shows PATH message for any return with certain credits 3. During verification: Still shows PATH message (no updates) 4. When approved: Changes to "Refund Approved" 5. When sent: Changes to "Refund Sent" The PATH message doesn't mean you're just waiting for some arbitrary date to pass - it means your return is actively being processed but is in a special queue for returns with credits. Have you tried checking your tax transcript instead of WMR? Sometimes that shows processing codes that give more insight into where your return actually is in the system.