2023 Tax Return Stuck on "Return Received" for Weeks - How to Speak With an Actual IRS Agent?

My 2023 tax return is stuck in limbo with the IRS. I just checked the refund status at 10:28 and this is exactly what I'm seeing: **Refund status / Results** **Results** **Tax year 2023** **Return Received** [filled circle] **Refund Approved** [empty circle with question mark] **Refund Sent** [empty circle with question mark] "We have received your tax return and it is being processed." I filed as Single and when I look at the status bars on WMR, only the "Return Received" circle is filled - both "Approved" and "Refund Sent" are still empty with question marks. The IRS website (sa.www4.irs.gov) just keeps telling me to "Please Note: For refund information, please continue to check here, or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day." I'm getting really worried since it's been processing forever with no movement. The status hasn't changed in weeks, just stuck on this "being processed" message. I've been checking both the website and the IRS2Go app but getting the exact same status every time. Has anyone successfully gotten through to a real person about their refund? I tried the general IRS number but got stuck in an automated system. Who can I actually talk to about this? The generic status updates aren't helping calm my nerves at all. I need to know if there's something wrong with my return or if this is normal processing time.

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QuantumQuester

The screenshot shows you're in the earliest stage of IRS processing for your 2023 tax return, with only the "Return Received" status confirmed. Your filing status is listed as Single, and you're viewing this on the official IRS website (sa.www4.irs.gov) at 10:28. The three-stage progress indicator shows where you are in the process: 1. Return Received ✓ (Currently here) 2. Return Approved ? (Not yet) 3. Refund Sent ? (Not yet) This status display is from the "Where's My Refund" (WMR) tool, and the message "We have received your tax return and it is being processed" is standard for the initial stage. While waiting can be stressful, this status actually confirms your return is in the system and being worked on. For fastest updates, follow the IRS's recommendation to check either this website or the IRS2Go app once per day - checking more frequently won't show new information as updates only happen daily. If you need to speak with someone directly, you can call 1-800-829-1040 between 7am-7pm your local time, though wait times are typically long during tax season.

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