I'm in a very similar situation - verified through ID.me about 6 weeks ago after my return was flagged, and still seeing absolutely no movement on my transcript. The agent told me the same thing about it being processed but no timeline. It's so frustrating not knowing if there's an actual issue or if it's just sitting in some digital pile somewhere. What's really getting to me is that I filed in early March, so we're looking at almost 6 months total now. I've been following the Wednesday/Friday checking schedule that others mentioned, which has helped my sanity a bit compared to checking daily. Has anyone here had success calling the IRS after verification to get an update? I'm wondering if it's worth trying to get through to someone or if they'll just tell me to keep waiting. The uncertainty is almost worse than just knowing it would take X amount of time. Really hoping we all see movement soon - this whole process has been such a nightmare this year!

I went through ID.me verification about 8 weeks ago and finally saw movement last week! My transcript updated with the 971 notice code on a Wednesday, then got the 846 refund code the following Friday with a deposit date. Total timeline was almost exactly 2 months from verification to getting my money. The waiting was absolutely brutal, especially since I filed back in February. What kept me going was reading success stories like the ones in this thread and knowing that once you're verified, you're definitely in the system - it's just a matter of when your return gets picked up for processing. One thing I noticed is that my transcript updated in batches - like multiple codes appeared on the same day rather than gradually. So even though nothing was showing for weeks, when it finally moved, everything happened pretty quickly after that. Stay strong everyone who's still waiting! I know it feels endless but based on what I've seen here, most people are getting their refunds within 6-10 weeks of verification. The system is definitely slow but it does eventually work.

One more tip for your dad - if possible, have him practice saying the key numbers out loud beforehand. When I helped my grandmother with her 5071C call, we went through her SSN, AGI, and refund amount several times so she felt more confident pronouncing the numbers clearly over the phone. Also, if he gets confused during the call, it's totally okay to ask the agent to repeat a question or speak more slowly. The IRS agents are used to working with people who have language barriers and they're generally pretty accommodating. The most important thing is that he has all his documents organized and doesn't rush through the answers. The whole process usually takes about 15-20 minutes once he gets connected to an agent, so it's not as long or scary as it seems!

The advice here is really solid! I went through this with my mom last year when she got a 5071C letter. One thing that really helped her confidence was having me create a simple one-page "cheat sheet" with all her important numbers clearly written out: SSN, AGI from current and previous year, refund amount, and filing status. We also practiced the call scenario a few times - I'd pretend to be the IRS agent and ask her the typical questions so she could get comfortable with the flow. It really reduced her anxiety knowing what to expect. The IRS agents were actually very patient and understanding. When my mom explained at the start of the call that English was her second language, the agent automatically spoke more slowly and clearly. Don't let your dad worry too much - they deal with this situation all the time and are used to helping people through the process. The whole verification took about 10 minutes once connected, and her refund was processed within 6 weeks after that. Good luck to your dad!

My sister went through this exact scenario last tax season. Her ex claimed their two kids despite them living with her full-time. You know what happened? The IRS froze both refunds and sent both parents a letter requesting documentation. She sent in school records showing her address, medical bills she paid, and their custody agreement. Guess what? Her ex's tax return was adjusted, the kids were removed from his return, and he had to pay back the refundable credits he'd incorrectly received. The IRS actually handles these situations pretty effectively, don't you think? The key is responding quickly to any IRS notices and having your documentation ready.

I went through something very similar with my ex last year, and I can tell you that the IRS definitely has systems in place to prevent duplicate payments. When there are conflicting dependent claims, they'll typically send CP87A notices to both parties requesting documentation to prove eligibility. The key thing is that since you already received the advance CTC payments and stimulus for the children, the IRS has a record of this and won't automatically issue duplicate credits to your ex-husband. However, your refund processing might be delayed while they sort it out. Make sure you keep all your documentation ready - custody agreements, school enrollment records showing the kids' address, medical records, etc. Also, regarding him claiming you as a dependent - that's clearly incorrect unless you lived with him the entire year and had gross income under $4,700, which doesn't sound like your situation at all. File your return as soon as possible if you haven't already!

Its ridiculous we gotta jump through all these hoops just to get our own money back smh

Another option is to try the IRS Get Transcript Online service - you can access it immediately if you can pass their identity verification questions (they ask about previous addresses, loan amounts, etc). It's free and sometimes works even when ID.me is being glitchy. Just go to irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript and try the online option first before paying for anything.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who recently completed this process! I received a Code 420 letter in December and just got my refund released last week. The whole thing took about 8.5 weeks from submission to resolution. What really helped me was reading threads like this one beforehand - it saved me so much stress knowing what to expect! I ended up following the advice I saw here about organizing everything clearly. I put together birth certificates, school records showing my address, pediatrician records, and a mix of support documentation (daycare receipts, grocery receipts, clothing purchases, etc.). One thing I learned that might help others: when gathering "support" documentation, focus on the big-ticket items first - daycare, medical expenses, school fees. Those clearly show you're providing major financial support. Then supplement with some everyday expenses like groceries or clothing to round out the picture. The IRS reviewer who handled my case actually called me to clarify one small detail about my daughter's school enrollment dates, which was surprisingly helpful and professional. The whole experience was much less intimidating than I expected. For anyone going through this now - you're not alone, it's totally routine, and if you respond promptly with organized documentation, you'll get through it just fine. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but stay patient and trust the process!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now with Code 420! Got the letter about 3 weeks ago and initially panicked thinking I was being audited. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It's clear this is just routine dependent verification, not a full audit like I feared. I've been gathering all the same documents everyone mentioned - birth certificates, school records, medical records, and support documentation. One question I have: for those who included grocery receipts as support proof, did you highlight specific items that were clearly for your kids (like baby formula, children's medicine, etc.) or just include the full receipts? I do all the household shopping so most of my grocery receipts include items for the whole family. Also, has anyone had experience with this process when you have a dependent with special needs? My son has some medical equipment and therapy expenses that are pretty significant - I'm wondering if those would be particularly helpful in demonstrating support since they're clearly child-specific expenses. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - especially about certified mail and organizing everything with a cover letter. This community has made what seemed like a scary situation feel much more manageable!