Nah, this is def legit! I had the exact same thing happen last yr. The IRS found I missed a credit and sent me extra $$ without me even asking. Their computers are actually pretty good at catching stuff we miss. Tbh I was shocked when I got the extra deposit - thought it was a mistake at first but it was 100% correct. Just make sure to check ur transcript for the explanation code so u know what it's for!

I strongly advise against assuming this is free money. I had a similar phantom deposit appear in my account last tax season. It showed a $1,240 deposit pending for three weeks, then suddenly disappeared. When I finally reached an IRS representative, they explained it was a system error during their annual maintenance cycle. The representative confirmed there was a known issue with the Account Management System displaying erroneous pending transactions. Document everything you see now with screenshots in case you need to reference it later.

Have you considered just paying the TurboTax fee upfront instead of having it deducted from your refund? Compared to other tax situations I've dealt with, this approach eliminates the whole dual order number confusion and typically gets your refund processed faster. The refund transfer service usually costs an extra $39-40 and adds 5-7 days to your refund timeline. If you have the means to pay upfront, you'll save both money and time. It's similar to how getting a tax advance loan might seem convenient but actually costs you in the long run.

I just contacted TurboTax support about this exact issue. The representative explained that the first order number is for your TurboTax product purchase (like Deluxe, Premier, etc.) and shows as complete because you've agreed to purchase it. The second order with the 'unknown' status is specifically for the Refund Processing Service that handles deducting fees from your refund. It will remain in 'unknown' status until the IRS deposits your refund into the temporary account, TurboTax deducts their fees, and then forwards the remainder to your personal bank account. This is completely normal and doesn't indicate any problem with your return or refund.

Be careful about calling the IRS too frequently. Under Internal Revenue Manual 21.5.3.4.6.1, taxpayer accounts can be flagged for "excessive inquiries" which can inadvertently trigger additional review. Per the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, you're entitled to updates, but the IRS has discretion on what constitutes harassment. I'd recommend waiting until you're outside the normal processing window (which for contractor returns is now 10-12 weeks) before initiating contact.

UGH this is so frustrating!! I've been in your shoes and it SUCKS! The contractor tax return black hole is real! Here's what helped me and others in this community: 1) Check your transcript instead of WMR 2) Look for cycle codes ending in 05 which means weekly updates 3) Don't panic about 570/971 codes - they're normal for review 4) If it's been more than 8 weeks, you have every right to call and ask. Hang in there! The money will come eventually, even if the IRS makes you age 10 years waiting for it! 😤

I work with tax resolution cases, and this is more common than you might think. As of March 27, 2024, the IRS is still processing amendments filed in December 2023, so timing matters. File your 1040-X immediately with a clear explanation in Part III. Include any documentation showing you don't own this business. The IRS has specific internal procedures for handling preparer errors versus taxpayer errors, and the distinction matters significantly for penalty abatement. The automated systems will eventually catch this discrepancy if you don't correct it proactively.

I think I might have had something similar happen to me last year, possibly. My preparer added a small side business I mentioned in passing but that I hadn't actually started yet. I called the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, and they were somewhat helpful in guiding me through the amendment process. It took about 14 weeks or so for my amendment to process, but everything worked out okay in the end. You might want to consider getting a transcript of your return first, just to see exactly what was filed before you submit the amendment.

I've been dealing with PTC forms for 3 years now, and this year is definitely slower than usual! 🙃 After waiting 45 days with no updates, I finally decided to call the IRS directly. Spent two days trying to get through their phone system with no luck (seriously, who has time for that??). Finally used Claimyr.com to get through to an agent in about 15 minutes. Worth every penny! The agent confirmed my return was flagged for "income verification" because of the combination of PTC and EIC. Apparently, this is happening to a lot of returns with both credits. The agent was able to verify everything was in order and manually release my return for processing. Got my deposit 8 days later.

This is my third year filing with marketplace insurance and PTC, and each year has been progressively worse with delays. Last year I waited 28 days, the year before was 21 days, and this year I'm currently at day 49 with no refund in sight! I called the IRS hotline last week and after being on hold for 97 minutes, the agent told me there was a "discrepancy" between my reported PTC and what the marketplace reported. Turns out my insurance company reported a different monthly premium amount for December than what they showed on my 1095-A. The difference was only $12.43 but it triggered a full manual review of my entire return.