2024 Tax Return Filed April 15: IRS Shows Processing Delay Message, Return Received But Transcript Still Blank After 3 Weeks

Tax Topic 152 just means you're eligible for a refund, so that's actually good news. The blank transcript means the IRS hasn't processed your return yet. This is very common especially since you only filed about 3 weeks ago. The IRS is saying their normal processing time is 21 days, but in reality, many returns are taking 30-45 days or more this year. The "delayed beyond normal timeframe" message usually appears when: 1) Your return needs manual review 2) You claimed certain credits that require extra verification 3) There's a high volume of returns being processed I wouldn't worry too much yet. Keep checking your transcript every few days - when it updates, you'll see a bunch of codes appear at once. The important ones to look for will be 846 (refund issued) or 570/971 (hold/notice being sent).

I was in the exact same situation and was staring at a blank transcript for weeks! I found this tool called taxr.ai that totally saved me from the stress. It analyzes your transcript and explains what's happening with your return in plain English. When my transcript finally updated, it decoded all the codes and gave me an actual timeline. Honestly so much better than trying to figure out all those cryptic IRS codes myself. You should check it out: https://taxr.ai

I had a similar issue with a delayed refund and couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS after trying for DAYS. I finally used the Claimyr app (claimyr.com) and it was amazing! Instead of dealing with busy signals, they secured a spot in the phone queue and had an IRS agent call ME back directly. The agent was able to tell me exactly why my return was delayed (it was flagged for a simple verification) and how long until my refund would process. Talking to an actual human at the IRS was the only thing that finally got my refund moving.

I hate to break it to you but welcome to the club 😭 I filed back in February and my transcript was blank until early April. The IRS is a disaster this year. Doesn't help that they won't answer the dang phone either. The waiting game is absolute torture.

Tax topic 152 usually shows up for everyone eligible for a refund. It's not really an indicator of anything good or bad. Just means you're in the system. Blank transcript just means they haven't started processing your return yet. My advice: forget about it for another 2 weeks then check again. The more you check, the more stressed you'll get.

Check your mail carefully! Sometimes they send letters requesting additional information, and if you miss those, it can delay things even further. I had a similar situation with a blank transcript and ended up getting a letter asking for ID verification.

Do u have any credits like EIC or child tax credit? Those always take longer for the IRS to process. They do extra verification on those returns to prevent fraud. I'm on week 8 of waiting with EIC 🙃

THE IRS IS A JOKE THIS YEAR!!! Filed 2/1, transcript blank til 3/20, then got codes 570/971, had to verify identity on [ID.me](https://ID.me), then FINALLY got my $$ on 4/12. The entire system needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.

I filed on March 22nd and just got my refund yesterday. My transcript was blank for a month, then suddenly updated with a direct deposit date. So hang in there!

Have you tried calling the IRS? I know it's a pain, but sometimes that's the only way to find out what's really going on. Call early in the morning right when they open - that's when I had the best luck getting through.

Just so you know, sometimes transcripts don't update for WEEKS and then suddenly everything happens at once. My transcript was empty for 6 weeks, then it updated on a Friday and I had my refund the following Wednesday. The system is super glitchy too - my transcript wasn't showing on desktop but would show on mobile. Try checking different ways.

I used taxr.ai when this happened to me and it was insanely helpful! The tool explained what was happening with my return even when my transcript was empty, and then gave me a clear timeline once it updated. Saved me so much stress trying to figure out all those stupid codes. https://taxr.ai

did u file electronically or paper? if paper, ur gonna be waiting a loooong time buddy. they're still processing paper returns from 2022 in some cases.

After waiting 9 weeks with ZERO updates on WMR or transcript, I used claimyr.com to get through to an IRS agent. Found out my return was flagged for manual review because of a mismatch between what my employer reported and what I entered. The agent fixed it right on the call and my refund was approved 2 days later. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to solve these things.

They don't want to give you your money back. that's why they make it so complicated. STOP GIVING THE GOVERNMENT INTEREST FREE LOANS PEOPLE! Adjust your withholding so you break even every year. problem solved.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed on April 10th and my transcript has been completely blank for over 3 weeks. The "processing delay" message on Where's My Refund is so frustrating because it gives you zero useful information about what's actually happening or how long to expect. From what I've been reading, it seems like the IRS is just really backed up this year. I've been trying to stay patient but it's hard when you're expecting that refund money. At least we're not alone in this - sounds like a lot of people are experiencing the same delays. I'm going to try calling them early Tuesday morning like someone suggested above. If that doesn't work, I might look into one of those callback services people mentioned. This waiting game is driving me crazy!

I'm in a very similar situation - filed on April 12th and have been staring at that same processing delay message for weeks now. My transcript is also completely blank which is so frustrating! It's reassuring to see that this seems to be a widespread issue this year and not just something specific to my return. I've been checking obsessively but I think I need to take the advice here and try to check less frequently for my own sanity. Has anyone found that calling the IRS early morning actually works? I'm debating whether it's worth the time investment or if I should just wait it out a bit longer. The uncertainty is definitely the worst part - I just want to know if there's an actual issue or if it's just normal processing delays. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps to know we're all going through this together!

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed on April 8th and have been watching that dreaded "processing delay" message for what feels like forever. My transcript is also completely blank, which honestly makes me more anxious than if it showed something - anything - just to know they're working on it. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful though. It sounds like this is just the new normal for tax season unfortunately. The part about EIC and Child Tax Credit taking longer makes sense for my situation since I claimed both. I think I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy - Tuesday around 7am ET seems to be the consensus. If that doesn't work, I might look into one of those callback services people have mentioned. At this point I just want to talk to a human being who can tell me if there's actually an issue or if I'm just in the normal backup queue. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're all dealing with this mess together! The IRS definitely needs to get their act together for next year. 😤

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! Filed on April 13th and have been staring at that "processing delay" message for weeks now. My transcript is completely blank too, which is honestly making me more anxious than if it showed something - at least then I'd know they're working on it. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really reassuring though. It sounds like this is just how things are going this year unfortunately. I claimed EIC and Child Tax Credit too, so that probably explains the extra delay based on what people are saying. I think I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy - seems like Tuesday-Thursday around 7am ET is the sweet spot. If that doesn't work, those callback services some of you mentioned sound like they might be worth looking into. At this point I just want to talk to an actual person who can tell me if there's a real issue or if I'm just stuck in the normal backup. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories - it really helps to know we're all going through this nightmare together! Hopefully we all see some movement soon. The IRS really needs to get their systems updated for next year. 🤞

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed April 18th and have been dealing with that frustrating "processing delay" message for over 3 weeks now. My transcript is also completely blank, which is honestly nerve-wracking - you'd think there would be SOME indication they received it. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful though. It sounds like this is unfortunately just the new reality for tax season. Since I also claimed EIC and the Child Tax Credit, that probably explains why mine is taking longer based on what others have shared here. I'm definitely going to try calling early Tuesday morning around 7am ET like some of you suggested. If that doesn't work out, those callback services mentioned in the thread might be worth considering - seems like several people have had good luck actually getting through to speak with someone. It's really reassuring to know so many of us are dealing with this same situation. Makes me feel less like I messed something up on my return and more like the IRS is just completely overwhelmed. Hopefully we all start seeing some movement soon! This waiting game is absolutely brutal but at least we're not alone in it. 🤞