The timeline you're experiencing aligns with what I've observed in the 2024 filing season. Specifically, returns filed on Sunday, February 25th have been processing remarkably fast, with many receiving direct deposit dates by Tuesday, February 27th. This appears to be related to the IRS's new batch processing schedule implemented on January 29th, 2024. Returns submitted over weekends are now being processed in Monday morning batches rather than waiting for Tuesday as in previous years. This is a significant improvement over the 2023 filing season when weekend submissions typically weren't processed until Wednesday or Thursday of the following week.

Is there any way to know if you'll be one of the lucky ones with fast processing? I filed exactly 17 days ago and still have the dreaded "still processing" message with no transcript updates. Did you do anything special with your filing to get such quick processing?

I track tax return patterns every year (I'm a bit obsessive about it), and this is extremely common specifically for returns filed between January 29th and February 3rd this year. The IRS began a system update on April 2nd that's affecting WMR access for many early filers, especially those with amendments. Based on previous years, you should regain access by April 18th at the latest. I'd recommend checking your mail carefully - the IRS often sends notices on April 15th and 16th related to processing delays.

From what I've gathered from this community over the years, when WMR suddenly stops recognizing your information after previously working, it usually means one of three things: 1) Your return is in the final stages of processing, 2) Your amended return has caused a temporary processing delay, or 3) There's an identity verification issue brewing. Most people report regaining access within 5-14 days, and many see their refund approved immediately afterward. Have you received any letters from the IRS in the meantime?

According to the GoToBank FAQ section (https://gotobank.com/help/deposits), they process IRS refunds as soon as they receive them, which is typically 1-2 days before the official DDD. I've been with them for three tax seasons, and I've always received my refund early. The IRS Where's My Refund tool won't show any updates once it displays your DDD, but the GoToBank mobile app usually shows pending deposits about 24 hours before they post.

The Automated Clearing House (ACH) network that processes these transfers typically operates on a next-business-day settlement timeframe. Since your Direct Deposit Date falls on a Wednesday, there's a high probability that GoToBank will receive the ACH notification on Tuesday, potentially allowing them to credit your account early. However, I would caution that financial institutions have different policies regarding how they handle these pre-notifications - some make funds available immediately while others wait until the official settlement date.

I monitored this exact pattern last tax season and documented all my cycle date changes. First showed Feb 2, then Feb 9, then Feb 16, and finally Feb 23. My refund arrived via direct deposit on Feb 26, just 3 days after that final cycle date. Did you claim any tax credits on your return? That typically causes additional processing time. Have you checked your account transcript to see if there are any specific codes like 570 or 971 that might explain the changes?

Changing cycle dates are much more common than unchanging ones, especially in February and March. Compare it to shipping estimates that adjust as your package moves through different facilities. I've seen returns with as many as 6 cycle date changes that processed without any issues. The final cycle date (March 3rd in your case) is typically the most accurate. If your WMR bars are still moving or your transcript shows codes in the 700-800 range, you're still in normal processing. This is actually reassuring compared to situations where the date stops updating entirely, which can indicate a review or hold.

Have you perhaps checked your employer's online portal, if they have one? Sometimes companies switch to electronic W-2 delivery and don't communicate it well. It might possibly be sitting in an employee portal you haven't checked. Or maybe they sent it to an old address? I'd suggest trying one more certified letter to your employer before involving the IRS, just to cover all bases.

When I had this problem in 2022, I discovered that my employer had actually filed the W-2 with the IRS but never sent me a copy. I was able to create an account on the IRS website and access my wage and income transcript, which showed all the information that would have been on my W-2. This saved me from having to file Form 4852. The transcript was available by mid-February, so it might be worth checking if yours is available online before going through the phone process.