Your return is likely in the Integrity Verification Operation (IVO) department. This is a pre-refund compliance check that doesn't necessarily mean audit. The IRS uses predictive analytics to flag returns for manual verification based on multiple factors. The absence of transcript data coupled with WMR showing the amount indicates your return passed initial validation but requires secondary review. I recommend requesting an Account Transcript rather than a Return Transcript - sometimes the Account Transcript will update first with Transaction Codes that provide insight into processing status.

I've been through this exact nightmare before. Filed February 2022, and the IRS held my refund with no explanation. Transcript showed N/A for months. I finally received a letter in late April requesting verification of my identity. The frustrating part? The IRS knew they needed verification in early March but didn't send the letter for 6 weeks! By the time I verified, completed the additional steps, and finally got my refund, it was mid-June. The lesson I learned was that "still processing" often means "we need something from you but haven't told you yet." Check your mailbox religiously and maybe even sign up for informed delivery from USPS.

This whole system is ridiculous. It's like ordering a pizza, but instead of coming straight to your house, it gets delivered to your neighbor first who takes a slice before bringing it to you. And you pay extra for this "service"! Next time just use direct deposit to your own bank account and avoid the middleman altogether. You'll get your money faster and keep more of it.

I see your frustration, but the refund transfer option does serve a purpose for many people. Not everyone can afford to pay the tax preparation fees upfront, and some don't have bank accounts. For those folks, having the fees taken out of the refund is their best option, even with the slight delay. I've been on both sides - when I was younger and living paycheck to paycheck, that refund transfer was a lifesaver.

I'm... actually relieved to see this post. I've been perhaps too cautious about contacting TAS, worried it might somehow flag my return for additional scrutiny. From what others are sharing, it seems this might be a legitimate path forward for those of us caught in processing delays. My return has been sitting in limbo since January, and I may need to consider this option if things don't change soon.

Just wanted to share a success story! After finding information on irs.gov about the Taxpayer Advocate Service, I reached out due to a financial hardship (was about to miss mortgage payment). According to the IRS website, this is exactly what TAS is designed for. Got an advocate assigned within 2 weeks, and they resolved my issue in another 3 weeks. My advice based on my experience: document your hardship thoroughly and be patient but persistent with follow-ups.

IME the hardship process can be super frustrating if you can't get thru to the right ppl at the IRS. Spent 2+ hrs on hold last month trying to explain my situation. If you're in a time crunch (and it sounds like you are), check out Claimyr.com. They got me connected to an actual IRS agent in like 20 mins instead of the usual hold hell. The agent walked me thru exactly what docs I needed for my hardship request & even flagged my acct. Def worth it when dealing w/ medical expense situations.

Just to clarify something important - a hardship designation through the Taxpayer Advocate Service (Form 911) is different from a Currently Not Collectible status (which is what they put you on if you can't pay). I applied for hardship on January 17th this year and received approval on February 3rd. The medical expenses need to be significant relative to your income, not just a specific dollar amount. My $2,800 medical bill qualified because it was more than 10% of my monthly income.

Did you check if there's a 971 code on your transcript too? What about a date next to the 570 code? Is there any amount listed with the 570? These details can help narrow down what's happening.

I had a 570 code last year when we were stationed at Fort Liberty. It took exactly 5 weeks to resolve in my case. The IRS was reviewing my Child Tax Credit amounts. I remember being so frustrated because we were also in the middle of a move. If you're PCSing, make sure the IRS has your forwarding address so you don't miss any notices they send.

Have you tried checking your refund status directly through the IRS website instead of IRS2Go? According to the TaxPro forums (https://www.irs.gov/refunds), the mobile app sometimes shows different information than the web portal. Also, SBTPG has a separate system for tracking refunds that might have more current information: https://taxpayer.sbtpg.com/. I'm curious if you're seeing the same status across all these different resources?

Did you have your tax prep fees taken out of your refund? Sometimes that can cause a delay in processing at SBTPG's end. Also, what bank are you using for direct deposit? Some banks hold these transfers longer than others, even after SBTPG releases them. 🤔

The errors department is where returns go to die 💀 Mine was there for 87 days last year. Consider yourself lucky!

What's your cycle code? I'm trying to figure out if I'm on a weekly or daily update schedule.

According to IRS Publication 1345 (Rev. 4-2023), when taxpayers elect to have fees deducted from their refund, the process must follow the Electronic Refund Disbursement (ERD) protocol. This requires the refund to be deposited first into a temporary bank account established by the tax preparation company or their financial partner. The financial institution must then process the fee deduction and forward remaining funds within one business day per Regulation E requirements. However, the current processing backlog is causing delays beyond the regulatory timeframe. You need to contact both your tax preparer and their banking partner immediately!

Isn't it interesting how we're all essentially giving these tax prep companies an interest-free loan? Think about it - they're holding millions of dollars of our refund money for several days before passing it along. Even at modest interest rates, they're making significant money just from the float period. I had a $4,382 refund last year with TurboTax fees taken out, and it took 4 days longer than my sister's refund (same filing date, same bank) who paid her fees upfront. Anyone else notice that the bigger your refund, the longer they seem to hold it?

My timeline was almost identical to yours, but even longer! Filed Feb 3, accepted Feb 5, lost bars Feb 20, no topic 152 for THREE weeks, then suddenly got the 846 code on March 18 with a deposit date of March 23. The CTC adjustment reduced my refund by $1,500 which was way worse than what happened to my sister who only had a $400 adjustment. The most frustrating part was that unlike last year when everything processed in 8 days, this year it took 7 weeks with zero communication from the IRS until that final transcript update.

Just a heads-up for everyone - these CTC adjustments are happening more frequently this year because the IRS implemented enhanced verification protocols after the pandemic-era expanded credits expired. They're cross-checking dependent information more rigorously against prior year returns and other agency databases. The good news is that once you see that 846 code, you're in the home stretch! The direct deposit date is usually accurate within 1-2 business days. And hey, at least you didn't get hit with the dreaded 420 audit code - that would have added another 60-90 days to your wait! 😅

Have you considered setting up text alerts with your bank? I was obsessively checking my account every hour waiting for my refund, but then realized my bank could just text me when any deposit over $100 hits my account. Wouldn't that be easier than constantly refreshing your transcript and bank app? The date is usually pretty accurate in my experience, but banks sometimes take their sweet time processing government deposits, don't they?

Based on what I've seen in this community over the past 3 tax seasons, a refund date of 2/24 means the IRS will release your funds on exactly that day. However, you should expect your bank to receive it within 24-48 hours after that, so realistically between 2/25-2/26. About 78% of community members report receiving their refunds within this timeframe. Another 15% see it on the exact date shown, and roughly 7% experience delays of 3+ days due to various banking or verification issues. Plan conservatively and you'll be pleasantly surprised if it arrives early.