846 Code on Transcript But IRS Says I Need to Verify Identity Despite Having ID.me?

This is actually more common than you'd think. I've seen situations like yours where the IRS systems don't communicate perfectly with each other. In my case last year, I had verified through ID.me but still got a letter requesting identity verification. Unlike your situation though, I didn't have the 846 code yet. Having that code with a date is usually the final step before payment, which makes this even more puzzling compared to typical verification issues I've encountered.

I've seen exactly 37 cases like this in the last few months. The 846 code with a date is definitely a good sign, but the identity verification request is curious. Have you tried calling back to speak with a different agent? Sometimes different IRS representatives have access to different information systems or interpret the notes differently. I've found that calling through Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) can save you hours of hold time - I waited exactly 4 minutes yesterday instead of the usual 2+ hours. Their service connects you directly to an IRS agent who might be able to clarify if this is just a system error or if there's actually something you need to address.

I'm probably going to try calling again tomorrow. It just seems like there might be some sort of miscommunication happening? The rep I talked to seemed a bit rushed and possibly didn't look at my full account details. I mean, it doesn't really make sense that they'd approve a refund with a deposit date if my identity wasn't verified yet, right?

Be careful with this situation. Last tax season, I had a similar experience where I saw positive codes on my transcript but still got an identity verification letter. According to irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification, you should always respond to these notices even if you think it's an error. I ignored it thinking my ID.me verification was sufficient, and my refund ended up delayed by 3 months. The IRS will hold your refund until you complete whatever verification process they're requesting, even if it seems redundant.

OMG I'm going through this EXACT SAME THING right now!!! So frustrating!!! I need my refund like yesterday and can't afford any more delays! When I finally got my transcript and saw the 846 code I was so relieved, then got that stupid letter two days later! I was about to lose my mind trying to figure out what was happening until I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and uploaded my transcript. It explained that sometimes the identity verification letter gets automatically generated before the system recognizes you've been verified through ID.me. The analysis showed my refund was still on track despite the letter. I'm literally checking my bank account every hour hoping it drops!

I had this exact issue back in March! Got the 846 code with a date, then got a letter asking for identity verification two days later. Isn't it ridiculous how their systems don't talk to each other? I decided to complete the verification anyway just to be safe, but guess what? My refund hit my account exactly on the date shown with the 846 code, before I even finished the verification process. So ask yourself: would you rather potentially delay your refund by ignoring the letter, or spend 15 minutes doing an unnecessary verification that might not even matter?

As someone who's pretty tech-savvy and researches everything, I can tell you that ID.me verification and IRS identity verification can sometimes be two separate processes. Last year, I had verified through ID.me to access my transcript, but still needed to complete a separate identity verification process for my refund. The systems don't always talk to each other. I noticed on my transcript that there was a TC 570 (refund hold) before my 846 appeared. Do you see any other transaction codes on your transcript before the 846? That might give more clues about what's happening.

Here's what's likely happening in your situation: 1. ID.me verification is for accessing your IRS online account 2. The identity verification the IRS mentioned is likely for your tax return processing 3. The 846 code means a refund has been scheduled 4. The letter was probably generated before your return finished processing 5. The systems don't always update simultaneously 6. Your tax preparer is seeing the current status (approved) 7. The IRS phone rep might be seeing an older status or notice 8. Wait for the letter to arrive to confirm what's needed In most cases like this, the refund is deposited according to the 846 date regardless of the letter.

I work with tax clients and see this comedy of errors play out every tax season 😂. Last month, I had a client who received her refund on Monday and then got a letter on Wednesday saying her return couldn't be processed until she verified her identity. The IRS has multiple systems that don't always sync up in real-time. The 846 code is the most reliable indicator - if you have that with a date, your money is on the way regardless of what letters might be in the mail pipeline.

Have you checked if the 846 date on your transcript has already passed? I had mine show up on April 12th with a deposit date of April 17th, but then got a verification letter on April 15th. I completed the verification on April 16th, and still got my deposit on April 17th as scheduled. Curious about your timeline specifically.