I manage tax preparation for multiple clients with EITC/CTC claims. Here's what's happening this season: • PATH Act holds lifted February 15th • Processing begins in batches based on filing date • Returns with W-2 income only: 21-28 days average • Returns with self-employment: 30-45 days average • Returns with additional schedules: 45+ days • Current DDD pattern: February filers receiving dates now • Check transcript for cycle code - determines weekly/daily updates • Code 570/971 sequence typically resolves within 2 weeks Your gig worker status might extend processing slightly.

I'm still waiting too and I'm so nervous!!! Filed February 10th with both credits and my transcript FINALLY updated yesterday with an 846 code!!! I almost cried when I saw it! Try calling the tax advocate service instead of regular IRS number if you're past 21 days. They were much nicer and actually explained what was happening with my return. Sending good vibes your way!

I'm sort of wondering if you've checked whether your state tax payment method might be different from your federal one? Sometimes they default to different methods, especially if you've moved or changed banks recently. It might be worth checking if perhaps they're sending a paper check instead of direct deposit?

I got my federal refund on March 5th. State refund arrived March 29th. That's 24 days difference. Georgia here. Last year was similar timing. Budget accordingly. State systems just move slower.

If you need to talk to the IRS directly about refund options or timing, don't waste days trying to get through their phone system. Use Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to connect with an actual IRS agent quickly. I needed to know exactly when my refund would arrive for a car purchase, and after trying for three days to reach someone, I used Claimyr and got through in about 30 minutes. The agent was able to tell me exactly when to expect my refund and confirmed I could use a portion for my vehicle purchase without affecting my payment plan for previous tax debt.

Just to put this in perspective - isn't waiting for your tax refund still better than taking out a high-interest loan? Like, compared to what car dealerships offer for financing, even waiting 3-4 weeks for your refund could save you thousands in interest. When I was looking at cars last year, the dealership wanted to charge me 18% interest because I had limited credit history in the US. I waited for my tax refund instead and saved over $3,000 in interest over the life of the loan.

Here's what you need to know about refund processing banks in 2024: • Republic Bank & Trust - Primarily processes refunds from H&R Block and some other preparers • MetaBank - Handles refunds from TurboTax and related Intuit products • Santa Barbara TPG - Processes for TaxSlayer, TaxAct, and several others • Civista Bank - Recently added for some smaller preparation services The bank that appears is determined by your preparation method, not by your selection. If you're tracking your refund, check the Where's My Refund tool daily, as it typically updates overnight. Direct deposits still process faster than paper checks, despite sometimes appearing to come from unfamiliar banks.

Think of these banks like the mail carriers of your tax refund. You don't choose FedEx vs UPS when you order something online - the seller does. Same with tax refunds - your preparer chooses the bank, not you. I spent THREE WEEKS last year freaking out because my refund showed "pending" from some bank I'd never heard of, then disappeared completely for 2 days before finally showing up in my actual account. Why can't they make this process more transparent? It's like they deliberately want to confuse us. But yes, for 2024, those same banks are still handling the refunds, unfortunately.

Dealing with tax offsets is like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded. I was in your exact situation last year. My loans were technically in default even though I thought I was covered by COVID forbearance. Think of the offset program as a fishing net - if your loans are in default, you'll get caught in it. My advice? Call the Default Resolution Group immediately and ask about rehabilitation options. Once you start that process, you might be able to request a refund of the offset based on financial hardship.

I successfully protected my refund this year despite having defaulted loans. The key was enrolling in the Fresh Start program in January before filing my taxes. My $32,000 in federal loans were preventing me from getting my $4,100 refund in previous years. The Fresh Start program temporarily removed my loans from default status, which made them ineligible for offset. Just received my full refund last week with no offset. The program is still active but won't last forever.