I filed early - 1/17 using numbers computed from my pay stubs. I was pretty close... off by about $200 (in my favor). Originally the IRS said I would have my return on 1/31. I checked today and now they are saying 2/10.

I know I am going to have to file an amended return. I was going to have to anyway because we are closing on a house in March and were going to take the 2008 First Time Homebuyers Credit.

Is the IRS running late on starting refund payments or do you think they caught my mistake and that held it up?

Probably problems setting up the initial efile processing.

If they were holding up your tax refund, it would STILL be held up.