If you compare this to other tax situations, HOH with both EITC and CTC is definitely in the "slower processing" category. I've prepared returns for clients in similar situations, and I'm seeing about 30-45 days for processing compared to 14-21 days for simpler returns. This is actually faster than during the COVID years when these same returns were taking 60+ days. The best approach is to create an account on IRS.gov and check your transcript - it will show movement long before TurboTax updates their status.

It's like TurboTax and the IRS are two different planets with occasional radio contact. Your return could be happily processing in IRS land while TurboTax is still showing it as pending in TurboTax world. I was shocked when I learned how disconnected these systems actually are - it's like sending a letter and assuming it's lost because the post office doesn't text you updates. Always check directly with the IRS through their Where's My Refund tool or by getting your transcript. The tax credits you mentioned basically put your return in the "extra scrutiny" pile, which is like getting in the slow lane at airport security.

Comparing the different transcript types to other financial documents might help understand their purpose: - Tax Return Transcript = Similar to a bank statement showing deposits/withdrawals but not pending transactions - Tax Account Transcript = Like your online banking portal showing real-time status including pending items - Wage & Income Transcript = Comparable to a credit report showing all reported income sources The technical aspects of transcript cycle codes are particularly important: the last digit (day of week) follows a specific pattern where 5 = Thursday updates. Most accounts update weekly on a consistent day. If your cycle code ends in 05, your transcript typically updates Thursday night/Friday morning. This is significantly different from the Where's My Refund tool, which operates on a completely separate update schedule of every 24 hours.

Just a word of caution - while transcripts are generally reliable, they're not always 100% current. I've seen several cases where the transcript showed code 846 (refund issued) with a specific date, but the actual deposit came 1-2 days later than indicated. Additionally, if you've had any identity theft issues in the past, your transcript might show a TC 971 code with various action codes that could potentially delay processing without clear explanation. In these situations, the transcript information alone might not be sufficient to understand what's happening with your return. The system is generally accurate, but there are certainly exceptions that can cause confusion.

100% confirmed from personal exp. Filed w/ expired license last yr. Return accepted same day, refund 3 wks later. No probs at all. IRS website doesn't say anywhere that ID needs to be current - just that they need the # for identity verification. They're checking if YOU are you, not if DMV thinks you should still be driving lol.

I went through this exact scenario back in 2022. My license had expired two months before I filed, and I was convinced I'd have issues. Looking back, it was completely unnecessary stress! The return was accepted, processed normally, and I received my refund without any delays or questions about my ID. The IRS uses the ID for verification purposes, not to check if you're current with your state's DMV.

I received my IP PIN in the mail about 3 weeks ago after waiting almost 2 months. Isn't it frustrating how the IRS expects us to meet strict deadlines while their own systems fail and they can't deliver important documents on time? I was worried about having to pay for an extension due to their delays, which seemed incredibly unfair. Have you considered requesting a filing extension just to be safe? It doesn't cost anything to file Form 4868, and it gives you until October 15th. That's what I did last year when I was in your situation, just to avoid any potential penalties.

The community consensus seems to be that IP PINs are taking approximately 6-8 weeks by mail currently, though there may be some regional variations. Several members have reported that the Northeast region seems to be processing them slightly faster than other areas. It might be worth noting that IP PINs are generally valid for the entire calendar year, so once you do receive it, you shouldn't need to request another one until next filing season. If you're approaching a critical deadline, you may want to consider filing Form 4868 for an automatic extension while you wait for your PIN to arrive.

I processed a return on February 8th with only the $500 ODC (no EITC or ACTC) for a client. The 846 Refund Issued code appeared on their transcript exactly 16 days later, and the deposit hit their account on February 27th. The PATH Act verification period had zero impact on their processing time. The IRS's Modernized e-File (MeF) system handles ODC-only returns through the standard workflow.

According to Internal Revenue Code §6402(m) and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, the mandatory holding period applies specifically to returns claiming EITC under §32 or ACTC under §24(d). The Other Dependent Credit falls under §24(h)(4) and is not subject to these heightened verification procedures. Your return should follow standard processing guidelines as outlined in IRM 21.4.1.3 (Processing Time Frames).

This is a common issue with the W-4 redesign that occurred a few years ago. The form no longer uses allowances, which has created withholding discrepancies for many taxpayers, especially those with straightforward tax situations like your daughter's. The Marginal Propensity to Withhold (not an official term, but appropriate) is now calculated differently, and many employers' payroll systems haven't fully optimized for these changes. For 2024, she should consider filing a new W-4 with her employer and either specify an additional amount to withhold on Line 4(c) or check the box in Step 2(c) if she has multiple jobs.

I solved this exact problem for my daughter last year. Would you believe her income was almost identical - $32,900? The issue is the withholding calculations. Have you checked if she's claiming herself as a dependent on her own return? Or could you possibly be claiming her on yours? Because that would create exactly this situation. I had my daughter adjust her W-4 to withhold an additional $30 per paycheck (assuming biweekly pay), and this year she got a $212 refund instead of owing. The withholding system isn't perfect, is it? But with a small adjustment, you can fix it for next year.

Last week I called about my missing 1099-R and waited 45 minutes. Then yesterday I called about the same issue and got through in 3 minutes! It's completely unpredictable. Back in 2022, I once waited 3 hours and 20 minutes only to have the call dropped right as someone answered. I literally screamed at my phone. Then I called back and somehow got through in 10 minutes to a super helpful agent who fixed everything. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to their wait times, but it does feel better this year overall.

FYI - wait times vary by which number you call. The main 1040 line (800-829-1040) has different staffing than the business line (800-829-4933) or the tax exempt org line. Also depends on time of day + day of week. The IRS publishes their call stats and they're def improving, but Apr 15 deadline will prob cause longer waits again. BTW - if ur calling about a specific notice, always use the # on that notice instead of the main line!

Tax pro here. There's def confusion in this thread. The IRS doesn't offer EITC advances directly. What you've likely applied for is an RAL (Refund Anticipation Loan) through your prep software. These aren't IRS products but 3rd-party loans based on your expected refund. The approval process is handled by the lender, not the IRS. Check your filing confirmation emails for info about the loan provider and contact them directly. They'll have a separate approval process that has nothing to do with your transcript codes.

This whole EITC advance situation is a mess every year! 😂 I've gone through this rodeo before and learned it's all about who you filed with, not the IRS. H&R Block, TurboTax, etc. all have different "advance" programs with different lenders and timelines. The IRS transcript won't show anything about these because they're private loans. Best community wisdom: check who the actual lender is (usually buried in the fine print of what you signed) and contact them directly. Your tax preparer is just the middleman and often knows nothing about the loan status.

Have you considered that this might be related to identity verification? The IRS has significantly increased verification measures for returns with refundable credits like EIC and CTC this year. You might want to proactively check if you need to verify your identity through the IRS Identity Verification Service. Many taxpayers don't realize they need to complete this step until weeks have passed. What if your return is just sitting there waiting for you to verify your identity? Also, have you received any letters from the IRS in the mail? Sometimes they send notices requesting additional information before they'll process your return further, especially with credits like EIC that have higher fraud rates.

Think of the IRS processing system like a massive traffic jam where cars with certain features (like your EIC and CTC) get directed to special lanes for extra inspection. Sometimes your car gets stuck between lanes and doesn't show up on the traffic cameras (WMR). You might want to try the IRS2Go mobile app instead of the website. For some strange reason, sometimes the app shows different information than the website. Also, check your return status very early in the morning (around 3-4am) when their systems are updating - that's when you're most likely to get accurate information before the daily traffic hits their servers.

I obsessively prepared for this tax season after last year's disaster (took 68 days to get my refund due to a simple math error). This year with a simple return: - Filed: February 22, 2024 (electronic) - Accepted: February 22, 2024 (confirmation within 2 hours) - WMR updated to approved: March 8, 2024 (14 days) - Direct deposit received: March 13, 2024 (19 days total) My experience suggests simple returns are definitely moving, but the timing isn't consistent person-to-person. I'd give it until the 21-day mark before getting too concerned, but with your medical procedures coming up, I understand the anxiety!

Per IRM 21.4.1.3 (Refund Inquiry Response Procedures), the IRS is not obligated to provide specific information about the status of a refund until 21 days after e-filing or 6 weeks after paper filing. Based on my experience as a tax professional, I've observed the following pattern for 2023 returns (2024 filing season): 1. Simple returns (W-2 only, standard deduction): 14-21 days 2. Returns with dividend/interest income: 17-24 days 3. Returns with Schedule C/E but no credits: 21-30 days The "Return Accepted" status simply means the return has passed the initial validation checks. Your return is likely in batch processing and should move to approved status within the next 3-5 days based on current patterns.