Taxes and Retirement | Saving to Invest

When Can I Expect My New York (NY) State Tax Refund? 2023 Payment Updates

The NY Department of Taxation and Finance (NYDTF) manages the administration and collection of taxes and related programs for individuals and corporations in the state. Generally, you have to file a state tax return if you’re an income earning resident or part-year resident or a non-resident who earned income from a…

Why Did My Monthly Mortgage Payment Go Up?

Many homeowners have had their mortgage payments change recently and there are multiple reasons why this may have happened, as discussed in this article. You’ll need to have the mortgage statement from your lender handy to find out more, which should indicate why the payment has increased. I’ll cover some…

Should I Be Worried About an IRS Notice or Letter? How to Tell If It’s Real in 2026

A notice or letter from the IRS can sound intimidating, but there are many reasons you might get one. Not every notice is bad news, and that's a common misconception — one that makes opening the envelope more stressful than it needs to be. IRS notices and letters tell you…

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…

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

Transaction codes are used on IRS tax transcripts and WMR/IRS2Go to show current and historical information on your return processing, reasons for delays, when a refund will be paid, or why it was lower than expected. There are dozens of codes, but Code 846, Refund Issued, is the one you…

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…

Got an IRS Notice? Here’s the Actual Timeline for Responding and Getting Paid

A lot of filers feel a sense of dread the moment they get an IRS notice or letter asking for more information, action, or warning of a possible audit. The real question underneath that dread is almost always about timing: how long will this delay my refund, and how long…

CP05 and 4464C Letters in 2026 — Why the IRS Is Holding Your Refund and How Long the Review Really Takes

You check the mail expecting your refund status to improve, and instead find an IRS envelope with "CP05" printed across the top. Deep breath: a CP05 is one of the more benign letters the IRS sends. It means your refund is being held while the agency verifies your return —…

IRS Transcript Codes 420 and 424 with Notice CP75 – Examination Request, Audit, or Tax Refund Delay

Tax codes, topics, and notices are used across the IRS to explain what's happening with a filer's return, why processing is delayed or under further review, when a refund will be paid, or why it was lower than expected. There are dozens of tax codes and notices — many are…

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…

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 and 971 – Tax Refund Delayed or Reduced in 2026-2027

Transaction codes and tax topics are used across IRS refund status applications — WMR or IRS2Go — and account transcripts, to show filers what's happening with their tax return, why it's delayed, when a refund will be paid, or why it was lower than expected. You'll generally see Transaction Code…

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 and Code 898 – Refund Reduced For Past Due Debt Obligations

Many tax filers feel a rush of relief when they see the refund approved and sent status on WMR/IRS2Go, or code 846 (refund issued) on their tax transcript. That relief can turn into frustration when an additional status message about a past-due obligation shows their estimated refund on the transcript…

Category: Taxes and Retirement