Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! This is really helpful. I completed my phone verification yesterday, so I'm crossing my fingers it falls into that 2-4 week range most of you experienced rather than the full 9 weeks. @Diego Ramirez - I'll definitely keep an eye on my transcript for those codes you mentioned. I haven't seen any updates yet since verification was just completed, but I'll watch for the 571 code as a good sign things are moving. @Ethan Davis - You make a good point about planning for the worst-case scenario. I think I'll budget as if it won't come for 9 weeks, but keep checking my transcript weekly to see if there's movement. Better to be prepared than disappointed if it takes longer than expected. Does anyone know if there's a typical day of the week when refunds usually get deposited after verification? I've heard some people say Wednesdays or Fridays are common, but not sure if that's just coincidence.

I'm going through this exact situation right now too! Filed January 22nd, completed phone verification two days ago after getting the dreaded "still processing" message. The 9-week timeline they gave me had me panicking since I was counting on that refund for some upcoming expenses. Reading everyone's experiences here is so reassuring - it sounds like most people are getting their refunds in the 3-4 week range after verification, not the full 9 weeks. I'm definitely going to start checking my transcript on Fridays like several people suggested, and I'll watch for those specific codes @Diego Ramirez mentioned. Has anyone noticed if the time of year affects processing speed? I'm wondering if doing verification in March (like now) is faster or slower than earlier in the filing season when they're probably swamped with returns.

If ur really worried try calling the taxpayer advocate service. Theyre seperate from the IRS and can sometimes help u figure out wats going on without the usual run around.

I went through this exact same situation last year! The "Action Required" message with the January 31 date is super common - it's usually their automated system generating a standard identity verification request. Don't panic about the timing - even though it says "sent on January 31," that often just means it was queued in their system on that date, not actually mailed. In my case, it took about 3.5 weeks for the letter to actually arrive, and it was just a simple identity verification form (Letter 5071C). I was able to complete it online through ID.me in about 10 minutes, and my refund was released about 2 weeks after that. The key thing to remember is that these delays are totally normal and don't mean you did anything wrong. Your return being "straightforward" actually makes it more likely this is just a routine identity check - they flag returns randomly for verification to prevent fraud. If you're really anxious about it, you could try accessing your IRS transcript online to see if there are any specific codes that might give you more info about what letter is coming. But honestly, I'd just give it another week or two before worrying. The IRS timeline estimates are notoriously conservative!

This is exactly why I always tell people to be extremely cautious with these tax relief companies. Your experience with Optima unfortunately follows a pattern I've seen repeatedly - big promises, huge upfront fees, then months of delays with no real progress. For anyone dealing with IRS issues, here are some alternatives that actually work: **Free options first:** - IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (completely free) - IRS payment plan applications (can often be done online) - Low Income Taxpayer Clinics if you qualify **If you need professional help:** - Look for local Enrolled Agents or CPAs who specialize in tax resolution - They typically charge hourly rates ($150-300/hour) rather than thousands upfront - You'll get personalized service and regular communication **Warning signs to avoid:** - Any company that guarantees specific results before reviewing your case - Requires large upfront payments (legitimate professionals work on payment plans) - High-pressure sales tactics or "limited time offers" - Won't provide clear written contracts outlining exactly what they'll do I'm sorry you're out $7,300 and still dealing with your original IRS problem. Consider filing complaints with your state attorney general and the FTC - you might have legal recourse for services not provided.

I'm so sorry you went through this with Optima Tax Relief. Your experience unfortunately mirrors what I've seen happen to too many people in our community. These companies prey on people who are already stressed about their tax situations. One thing that really stands out to me is how they took $7,300 upfront and then basically disappeared. That's a huge red flag that legitimate tax professionals would never do. Real tax resolution specialists typically work on hourly rates or reasonable flat fees, and they provide regular updates on progress. Since you're still dealing with the original IRS issue, I'd strongly recommend contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service as others have mentioned. They're completely free and can often resolve things faster than these expensive companies ever could. You can reach them at 1-877-777-4778 or find your local office on the IRS website. Also, please consider filing complaints against Optima with your state's attorney general office, the FTC, and the Better Business Bureau. The more complaints these agencies receive about companies like this, the better they can protect other taxpayers from falling into the same trap. Your story is a valuable warning for others in our community who might be considering these services. Thank you for sharing it, even though I know it's frustrating to relive that experience.

I'm dealing with something very similar right now with my 2022 return! Filed in late January through FreeTaxUSA and my transcript has been showing the exact same thing - "RETURN NOT PRESENT" but with an 810 freeze code from February 28th. It's so frustrating because you know you filed but the system acts like it doesn't exist. From what I've researched, the 810 code often gets applied when they need to do manual verification of certain items on your return - things like the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, or if you claimed any recovery rebate credits. The "not present" status just means it hasn't been fully processed through their main system yet, but the freeze code proves they definitely have it. I've been checking my transcript every Monday and it's been the same for about 6 weeks now. Planning to call this week since it's been so long. Have you tried using the "Where's My Refund" tool to see if it gives you any different information than the transcript?

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed my 2022 return electronically in early February and my transcript shows the identical pattern - "RETURN NOT PRESENT FOR THIS ACCOUNT" but with an 810 refund freeze code dated March 15th. What's really frustrating is that TurboTax confirmed my return was accepted by the IRS, so I know they have it somewhere in their system. Like others have mentioned, I think what's happening is our returns are stuck in some kind of verification limbo where they've been received and flagged (hence the 810 code) but haven't been fully processed into their main database yet. I called the IRS last week and waited 2.5 hours on hold, but the representative basically told me that returns with education credits, child tax credit, or earned income credit are taking much longer this year due to additional fraud prevention measures. She said the 810 code combined with "return not present" is actually a known status they're seeing a lot of and that I should expect 8-12 weeks from the freeze date. It's definitely nerve-wracking seeing that contradictory information on the transcript, but it sounds like we're all in the same boat. I'm going to keep checking weekly and hope it updates soon. Hang in there!

Y'all need to bookmark this post fr. This is the most accurate PATH timeline I've seen on here 👀

This is super helpful! I'm a first-time filer with EITC and was wondering why my WMR hasn't budged since I filed last week. So basically I should just stop checking until after Feb 21st? Also wondering if the transcript times you mentioned are EST or what timezone?