The IRS has special verification procedures for alternating dependents. This is normal. They're preventing fraud. Their systems flag these returns automatically. Manual review takes time. Your return isn't lost. It's in a special processing queue. No need to worry yet. The 2023 processing timeline is longer than usual. Many first-time dependent claims take 8-10 weeks. Keep checking your transcript weekly. Look for code 570 or 971 to appear. That means verification has started.

Welcome to the wonderful world of IRS dependent verification! 😅 I'm in the same boat (filed 2/2, alternating custody with ex). From what I've gathered lurking on this sub, returns with first-time dependent claims or alternating dependents are taking 8-12 weeks this season. The good news is that the vast majority process without requiring any additional documentation. The bad news is there's not much we can do except wait it out. I've seen several posts from people in our situation who suddenly got their DDD after 9+ weeks with zero prior updates. Hang in there!

The Post-Verification Processing Timeline (PVPT) varies based on filing method, claimed credits, and return complexity. For standard returns with successful online verification, the IRS internal target is 21 days, though many taxpayers see resolution in 14-17 days. Transcript cycle codes can provide more insight - if you see TC 570 followed by TC 571, that's verification resolution and means you're in final processing. Stay calm and monitor your transcript weekly.

Have you tried checking the Tax Advocate Service? They can sometimes help if your refund is causing financial hardship. I felt so helpless waiting after my verification last year, but they were able to assist when I explained I needed the funds for emergency home repairs. You have to demonstrate actual financial hardship though, not just wanting your money faster. The process takes some paperwork but might be worth it if you're truly depending on those funds.

Be careful about assuming this is a simple error. According to the IRS website, many CTC offsets in 2024 are related to advance payments from 2021-2022 that weren't properly reconciled on Form 8812. Even if you qualify for the credit, you might have received more in advances than you were ultimately eligible for based on your final income. Check your IRS online account at https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account to see your advance payment history. I didn't realize I had to report those advances and ended up fighting an offset for 6 months.

Ever wonder why these CTC issues seem to hit newly married couples harder? I did some digging when this happened to me. The system sometimes fails to properly link your previous filing status with your new joint return. My refund was held for a $4,200 alleged overpayment. After submitting verification documents and calling repeatedly, I discovered the IRS had my children's SSNs associated with my ex-spouse's account! Once corrected, my refund was released within 3 weeks. Could something similar be happening in your case?

I work with tax professionals, and we've noticed a distinct pattern with in-person verifications this season. The IRS implemented a new verification protocol in January 2024 that requires multi-level authentication for in-person visits. While this enhances security, it creates a processing delay of approximately 9-12 business days for the verification flag to clear. The notification disappearing doesn't necessarily correlate with processing status - I've seen cases where refunds were issued while the notification was still active.

I might be overreacting, but I would perhaps consider calling them if it doesn't update within about two weeks or so. My brother-in-law waited almost a month thinking it was processing normally, but it turned out his verification wasn't properly recorded in their system. The IRS representative told him it happens occasionally when they're overwhelmed with in-person verifications during peak season.

Trying to reach the IRS right now is like trying to get front row tickets to a sold-out concert - technically possible but practically impossible. I wasted 3 days trying before I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). It's like having a fastpass at Disney World for the IRS phone lines. Got connected to an actual agent in under 30 minutes who explained that TAS is currently only accepting cases with demonstrated financial hardship or where the IRS has made a processing error. Regular cases are being deferred until after the filing season rush.

I called TAS on April 2nd and got the same response. The representative told me they're focusing only on cases with immediate financial hardship until May 1st. Maybe try calling again after that date? In my case, I just documented everything carefully and kept a log of all my calls and who I spoke with. It might help your case later.

Can someone explain the difference between a 3176C and a CP2000 notice? I received something similar but I'm not sure if it's the same examination process. Does the examination automatically mean they suspect fraud or is this just random verification?

I went through this last tax season. What was your AGI? My medical expenses were around $15K but since my income was $95K, I could only deduct expenses exceeding $7,125 (7.5% of AGI). The examiner focused heavily on whether my expenses exceeded that threshold. Did you include mileage to medical appointments? That's $0.22/mile for 2023 and adds up quickly. Did you include health insurance premiums not paid through pre-tax employer plans? Many people miss those. What about home modifications for medical reasons? I had to install a wheelchair ramp that qualified.

Instead of verifying by phone, request an in-person appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center. Use the IRS TAC appointment system online to schedule. This verification method is often faster than phone verification, which can take weeks for processing. The in-person verification is immediately recorded in the IRS system, potentially expediting your refund by 7-10 days compared to telephone verification.

Be extremely careful if you're getting messages about verification! My brother-in-law got a text claiming to be IRS verification that was actually a scam. Real IRS verification is only through official letters, their secure online portal, or by calling their official numbers. They never initiate contact through text or email for verification purposes. The scammers are getting really sophisticated with military families this year.

I NEED TO WARN YOU about something important! While it's great your 2024 return is processing, be extremely careful about the congressional inquiry for 2023. My friend went that route and it triggered an automatic review of BOTH tax years! The IRS suddenly put a hold on her 2024 refund that was about to be issued while they investigated the 2023 situation. I'm not saying don't contact your representative, but be prepared that it might cause them to look at your entire tax history. Make sure you have ALL your documentation ready for both years just in case. The IRS systems are connected in ways that aren't always obvious to us as taxpayers!

Have you considered that this might actually work in your favor from an interest perspective? The IRS is required to pay interest on delayed refunds after 45 days from the filing deadline or the date you filed, whichever is later. Wouldn't it be better in some ways to have your 2023 refund delayed if you're going to receive interest on that amount? Of course, this assumes you don't urgently need those funds right now. Another approach might be checking if you qualify for assistance through the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which can sometimes move things along faster than a congressional inquiry.

Why is everyone acting like this is the end of the world? The IRS is just doing their job protecting against fraud, right? I had to verify my identity last year and it was actually pretty straightforward. Just follow the instructions in the letter, verify yourself, and wait. Yes, it's annoying, but isn't it better than having someone else steal your refund?

Military spouse here who had this happen while my husband was deployed last year. It's probably, in my experience, going to take about 3-4 weeks after verification to see your refund. The verification itself is usually pretty quick if you do it online - maybe 20 minutes or so. Just make sure you have all your documents ready before you start. It seems like most military families I know have had to do this at least once in recent years.

I think, possibly, your friend might have had trouble with the online verification system and that's why she was told to call back. In my experience, the online verification through ID.me can sometimes be a bit finicky, especially if your address has changed recently or if there are any discrepancies between your ID and tax return information. If the online system works for you and accepts your verification, you should be good to go without calling again, at least in most cases.

Tax professional here. The identity verification process follows these steps: 1. You receive a letter (typically 5071C, 5747C, or 4883C) 2. You follow the specific instructions on YOUR letter 3. If it's a 5071C, you can verify online through ID.me 4. Once online verification is complete, the system updates within 9-14 days 5. If online verification is successful, no further action is needed The confusion often happens because there are different types of verification requests. Some require in-person, some online, some by phone. The key is to follow exactly what YOUR specific letter instructs. Do not follow general advice from friends or even what worked for others.