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Filed 1/30, accepted 1/31 according to TurboTax. I've been checking the IRS2Go app and the Where's My Refund tool every day (probably too much lol). My transcript was completely blank until 2/17, then updated yesterday (2/18) showing a direct deposit date of 2/24. According to what I've read on r/tax and the IRS refund schedule charts on TaxOutreach.org, this seems normal, but my timeline was different last year. Just want to make sure there's nothing weird going on with my refund. Anyone else experiencing similar processing times this season?
According to the IRS2Go app and IRS.gov/refunds FAQ section, PATH Act returns are currently experiencing longer processing times than in previous years. I found the IRS Refund Timetable on irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing very helpful - it specifically mentions that returns claiming EITC/ACTC may take until early March to begin processing even if filed in January. The IRS Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions page also explains that transcripts won't show data until processing begins, which explains the "return not processed" message. Have you tried checking the Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions page for more specific information?
Listen, I've been through this 3 years in a row now. PATH Act returns are ALWAYS delayed. Don't waste time checking daily. Set a calendar reminder for 8 weeks after your filing date and check then. That's when most PATH returns start moving. Calling won't help - the agents can't speed anything up. If you need money now, better look at other options because the IRS isn't rushing for anyone. Just how it is with these credits.
I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Had medical bills piling up and was anxiously watching my transcript daily. Filed with Credit Karma on January 29th, saw my 846 code with a February 21st date, and the money actually hit my account at 3am on February 22nd. Credit Karma took their fees and sent the rest right away. What really helped my anxiety was that I had set up text alerts with my bank for any deposits over $100, so I got a notification the moment it landed. Might be worth setting that up if your bank offers it!
Those text alerts saved my sanity too! I set mine up for any transaction and got the notification at 3:17am that my refund had arrived. Woke up to good news instead of checking my account every 15 minutes like I did last year!
7d
Have you considered using the IRS direct deposit option instead of going through Credit Karma next year? I switched to direct deposit this year after using tax preparer bank products for years, and my refund came exactly on my 846 date with no fees taken out. Isn't it worth saving those preparation fees, especially when you need the money for medical expenses? You could still use Credit Karma to prepare your return but just opt for direct deposit to your own bank account.
I filed my taxes on February 1st and now I'm in this weird limbo state. Has anyone else experienced this kind of situation? My transcript literally says "no return filed" and the account transcript shows "N/A" which seems strange after all this time, doesn't it? The IRS initially told me I needed to submit a form for marketplace insurance, which I did right away. Then they said I had to verify my identity, which I completed on ID.me. Shouldn't that have fixed everything by now? My WMR status was on "verify identity" for a while but now it's back to "processing" which seems like progress... but is it really? I'm starting to worry about how long this will take. Could this delay impact my summer tuition payment? Any suggestions on what I should do next? Just keep waiting or is there something more proactive I should try?
Look, I know it's frustrating, but this is completely normal for returns with both marketplace forms and ID verification. The IRS systems don't talk to each other efficiently. Your return is in the system - it's just not showing up in the transcript database yet. The good news is that the WMR status change means you're moving forward. I've seen hundreds of posts like yours over the years, and they almost always resolve within a few weeks after the WMR status changes back to processing. I know it's stressful, especially when you're counting on that money for tuition, but hang in there. This is just how the system works unfortunately.
Your tax return is like a package that's been routed through multiple distribution centers. It arrived at the main facility (filed on Feb 1), then got sent to the special handling department (marketplace form), then to security verification (ID.me), and now it's back on the main processing line. The tracking system (transcript) hasn't updated yet because it's still making its way through the final sorting area, but the package tracker (WMR) shows it's moving again. I had the exact same situation last year - filed Feb 3rd, had to do marketplace form correction on Feb 10th, identity verification on Feb 17th, WMR went back to processing on Feb 25th, and transcript finally updated on March 8th. Refund arrived March 11th. So about 5 weeks from filing to refund with similar complications.
That package analogy makes so much sense! Thank you for explaining it this way - I finally understand why everything seems so disconnected. Really appreciate you sharing your timeline too!
7d
When you say your transcript updated on March 8th, did it just suddenly show everything at once? Or did it gradually start showing information? I'm trying to figure out if I should keep checking daily or if it will be obvious when something changes.
7d
I work as a tax preparer and see this scenario frequently. Per IRS Publication 5344 (Rev. 3-2024), the automated verification system conducts multiple checks before requesting taxpayer documentation. Many verification flags are cleared during this process without taxpayer intervention. The typical timeframe from 'processing' to direct deposit is 5-8 business days for non-complex returns. If your WMR shows processing, you've successfully cleared the verification hurdle, which is excellent news.
I experienced this specific scenario during the current filing season. My return was initially flagged with a TC 570 (Additional Account Action Pending) on my transcript, which correlates with the 'verification needed' status on WMR. After 16 days, it was automatically released with a TC 571 (Resolved Additional Account Action) without any correspondence being sent. The status then changed to 'processing' and my refund was issued 6 days later with a TC 846 (Refund Issued). This is a normal sequence for returns that trigger automated verification protocols but are subsequently cleared without taxpayer intervention.
Oh come on, you're making it sound way worse than it probably is! Most of these notices are routine! I got a similar notice last year and it was just asking me to verify my identity online. Took 15 minutes to resolve and my refund came two weeks later. Let's not scare people unnecessarily!
Had this exact issue last month. Got the notice. It was identity verification. Completed it online. Return processed within 10 days. Refund arrived 3 days later. Just wait for the mail. Follow instructions. Don't stress too much.
According to Internal Revenue Manual 21.5.6.4.35.2, code 570 indicates a freeze on your account pending review. Per IRS Publication 5344, when a tax return is processed with income that cannot be verified against Information Return Processing (IRP) data, a hold is systematically applied. Since your employer has just submitted the W-2 information, IRS systems will require approximately 7-14 business days to integrate this data into the Master File system. Once verification occurs, you should see code 571 appear, indicating the release of the freeze condition. The IRS is legally required under IRC ยง6402 to verify income claims before issuing refunds exceeding certain thresholds. For multiple income sources including gig work, verification delays are statistically more common, affecting approximately 23% of such returns in the current processing year.
This is incredibly helpful information! I've been searching through the IRS website trying to understand these codes, but couldn't find this level of detail. Knowing the specific timeline expectations based on the actual IRM makes waiting a bit easier.
8d
Would this 7-14 day timeline still apply if the W-2 was submitted electronically? My employer said they submitted electronically exactly 9 days ago, but I'm still showing code 570 with no update. I've calculated that I'm owed $3,782 and need to make a decision about a payment by next Tuesday.
7d
Here's what you need to do step by step: 1. First, check your transcript again in about 5-7 days to see if code 571 appears (that means the hold is released) 2. If you don't see code 571 within 10 days, try calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 3. Before calling, prepare by having your tax return, transcript, and ID ready 4. If you still don't see movement after 21 days from your original filing date, you might want to file Form 911 (Taxpayer Advocate Service request) I'm a bit worried about my own return too - I'm in a similar situation but with a different code. The waiting is the hardest part, especially when you've planned for that money to arrive by a certain date.
Is anyone else concerned about how arbitrary these 570 holds seem to be? I've had perfectly normal returns get flagged while friends with complicated situations sail through without issues. And why is the IRS so secretive about what specifically triggered the review? Wouldn't it be more efficient to just tell taxpayers exactly what they're reviewing instead of making us wait anxiously for weeks? My 570 code appeared last month and I'm still waiting with no explanation.
Per IRS Publication 5192, Transaction Code 570 indicates a refund hold pending additional review. This is authorized under IRC ยง6402(g) which gives the IRS authority to withhold refunds while verifying return accuracy. In most cases, this is temporary and resolves automatically. The 570 code is typically accompanied by a freeze code that identifies the specific program area reviewing your return. Common freeze codes include: - F- (Fraud Detection) - Q- (Examination/Audit) - C- (Criminal Investigation) - R- (Revenue Protection) You can identify which program is reviewing your return by looking at the freeze code on your transcript. Once the review is complete, a TC 571 will appear, releasing the hold.
Oh my goodness, I didn't realize the freeze codes could tell you so much! I've been staring at my transcript for weeks and never understood what those letters meant. I have an R- code... does that mean they think I'm claiming something incorrectly? ๐
7d
This is incredibly helpful information. On March 25, 2024, my transcript updated with both the 570 and a freeze code. Based on your explanation, I now understand why my return is being held up. The level of detail you've provided goes far beyond what the IRS representatives told me when I called.
7d
The consensus among most experienced filers here is that the transcript processing date is just the beginning of the actual processing. Those N/A boxes will typically update 7-14 days after that date appears. It's frustrating, but the IRS systems were designed decades ago and don't communicate with each other in real-time like modern systems. Just part of the annual tax season fun we all get to enjoy.
This is correct. The IRS uses multiple database systems that don't always sync immediately. The master file (which controls your transcript) updates first, while the account display system (which controls those boxes) updates later. It's inefficient but normal.
7d
Does filing early in the season versus later affect how quickly these systems sync up? I've heard January/February filers often wait longer than March filers.
7d
Great news! I just went through this exact situation and can tell you exactly what happens next. My transcript showed 2/12 as the processing date, top boxes stayed N/A for 9 days, then EVERYTHING updated at once on 2/21. Refund hit my account on 2/23! Based on your 2/26 date, you should see movement by this weekend or early next week. The system is working - it's just not very transparent about what's happening behind the scenes. Hang in there!
Did you get any interim status updates on Where's My Refund during that waiting period, or did it just jump straight to approved/sent?
7d
Thank you for sharing this specific timeline! It's so helpful to see real examples with actual dates rather than just vague estimates. Makes the waiting game a little more bearable.
7d
Just went through this! The PATH Act hold is automatically applied to returns with EITC or ACTC to prevent fraud, while the 1095-A request is related to the Premium Tax Credit reconciliation process. You need to submit Form 8962 along with your 1095-A to reconcile your advance premium tax credits. My transcript showed TC 570 (refund hold) until I submitted these documents, then updated with TC 571 (hold released) about 10 days later. Such a relief when it finally processed!
Per Internal Revenue Code ยง36B, taxpayers who receive advance premium tax credits must reconcile those amounts using Form 8962, which requires the information from Form 1095-A. I experienced this last year and found that the quickest resolution is to immediately provide the requested documentation. While the PATH Act mandates the IRS hold refunds involving EITC/ACTC until mid-February (per IRC ยง6402(m)), the 1095-A issue is an independent verification requirement that will continue to delay your refund until addressed.
Joy Olmedo
Your timeline is actually better than mine! Think of the IRS processing system like a highway during rush hour - everyone gets on at different times, but there are certain bottlenecks where traffic slows down. I filed on January 29th, transcript updated February 16th, and my DDD is February 23rd. It's like we were in the same processing batch. The fact that you got your DDD so quickly is a good sign - it's like getting the express lane through the IRS traffic jam.
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Isaiah Cross
I had almost the exact same timeline as you but with a slight twist. Filed January 31st, accepted same day, transcript blank until February 16th, then DDD of February 24th. But here's the interesting part - my state refund actually arrived before I even got the federal DDD. Isn't it strange how state processing can sometimes be faster than federal? Makes you wonder why the IRS can't streamline their process the same way some states have.
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