Andy | Saving to Invest

Should I be Worried if I Get a IRS Notice or Letter? See Fake Notice Warnings and Common Examples

A notice or letter (“Notice”) from the IRS can sound intimidating, but there can be many reasons for receiving one. Not every notice is negative or even needs the same amount of attention. That is a common misconception: one that makes the act of receiving a letter more worrisome than…

Why Did My Refund Go Down After The IRS Adjusted My Tax Return

Many tax payers are seeing the following startling messages on WMR or IRS2Go when they go to check the status of their refund. Naturally their reaction is one of shock, followed by frustration and anger. These notifications are to inform tax filers about adjustments the IRS automatically made that either…

How and Where to Invest in 2022 and 2023 – Stocks, Crypto and Funds to Choose Given These Four Trends (Including a Possible Recession)

2021 was not an easy year for investors to navigate. With political unrest in the wake of the previous year’s election, a pandemic that kept wide swathes of the economy closed down and disrupted supply chains, and the alarming start of inflationary prices, it was hard to find good bets…

What Code 846 Refund Issued on Your IRS Tax Transcript Means For Your Direct Deposit Date (DDD)

Transaction codes are used on IRS tax transcripts and WMR/IRS2Go to provide current and historical information for individual and business filers on what is happening with their tax return processing, reasons for potential delays, when a refund will be paid or why it was lower than expected (offsets). There are dozens…

An ex-IRS Worker’s Viewpoint on Tax Season Delays and All The Complaining!

I got the following longish comment on a recent article covering tax season delays/frustrations, from someone who may have worked at the IRS to retort all the negativity folks are putting out there this tax season due to extended delays with refund payments and processing beyond normal timelines. Interesting to…

How Long Does it Take to Get a Letter From the IRS About My Refund and How Long to Respond

A lot of filers face a sense of dread after they receive a IRS notice or letter in the mail advising them that they need to provide more information related to their tax return, take some action or potentially face further examination or audit by the IRS. A primary concern…

What Is a CP05 Tax Notice and 4464C Letter and Should I Worry When I get These from the IRS Around My Tax Return and Refund Payment

You go and check the mailbox and realize you’ve received a dreaded letter from the IRS. Scary, right? No one wants to receive a note from the IRS because they aren’t usually friendly or nice. You were expecting your tax refund to hit your bank account and instead are faced…

IRS Transcript Codes 420 & 424 with Notice CP75: Examination Request, Audit, or Tax Refund Delay?

Tax codes, topics and notices are used across the IRS to provide information for individual and business filers around what is currently happening with their tax return filing, reasons for potential processing delays or further reviews/audits, when a refund will be paid or why it was lower than expected (offsets).…

We Apologize But Your Return Processing Has Been Delayed Beyond The Normal Timeframe – 2026 Payment Updates

Many tax filers are again seeing the message below on the IRS' Where is My Refund (WMR) page or IRS2Go app days after their return is filed and accepted by the IRS, including after PATH restrictions have lifted. Unfortunately this message just seems to create more frustration and confusion for…

Investing After the Russian Invasion of Ukraine – Short Term vs Long Term Considerations

As everyone knows, Russia has launched a series of unprovoked attacks across the Ukraine. This is an evolving situation and likely to play out over several weeks. I want to first acknowledge that a global war and the likely humanitarian crisis for the Ukrainians is on top of mind and…

Which Tax Software Package Gets the Fastest and Largest Refund in 2023

I recently ran a poll on my YouTube channel that asked tax filers who have got their refund, or confirmation of it being paid, which tax software provider they used. Below are the result of the poll. Source and Live Poll Obviously the poll is not a scientific study, but…

IRS Codes 570 & 971: Tax Refund Delayed or Reduced?

Transaction codes and tax topics are used across IRS refund status applications - WMR or IRS2Go - and account transcripts to provide information for individual and business filers into what is happening with their tax return processing, reasons for potential delays, when a refund will be paid or why it…

When Do IRS2Go, WMR and Tax Transcripts Refresh With 2025 Refund Status And Direct Deposit Date

With millions of Americans tax filers anxiously waiting for their refund, which can be the largest single payment of the year for many, it is not uncommon to hear frustration with the various IRS systems designed to provide the latest updates on tax processing and refund payments. The official Where…

Understanding Tax Topic 203 & Code 898 – Refund Reduced For Past Due Debt Obligations

Many tax filers experience a feeling of joy when they see the refund approved and sent status on WMR/IRS2Go or code 846 (refund issued) on their tax transcript. However this turns into sadness and frustration when they see that the additional status message about a past due obligation indicating their…