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Tbh I'd just set up a separate savings acct for these payments. That's what I did when this happened to me. The IRS is super overwhelmed rn and even if you call, they might not be able to fix it immediately. Just save every penny they send, don't spend it, and when tax time comes you'll be ready if you need to pay it back. Worst case, you have some extra $ set aside. Best case, you might get to keep some depending on your final tax situation. It's annoying af but less stressful than trying to fight the system.
I experienced this exact scenario with the Advanced Child Tax Credit distribution. The payment occurred due to asynchronous processing between the opt-out database and the disbursement system. When I analyzed my situation, I found the opt-out request was timestamped after the payment authorization had already been batched in the system. The IRS reconciliation algorithm will account for this during your 2024 filing through Form 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents). You'll need to report all advance payments received on your return, regardless of opt-out status. I'm actually relieved now that I understand the mechanics behind it rather than worrying about a system error.
Wait. So we have to use a special form? I thought it would just be part of the regular 1040. This is getting complicated.
5d
Your explanation aligns with Internal Revenue Procedure 2021-24, which addresses timing discrepancies between opt-out requests and payment processing. Would you agree that maintaining documentation of the opt-out attempt is still advisable for substantiation purposes?
5d
There's actually a specific technical reason for the 5-day early deposit timeline. The IRS issues a formal Refund Acknowledgment Transaction (RAT) to financial institutions approximately 5 business days before the scheduled Direct Deposit Date. TurboTax's system intercepts this RAT notification and processes an advance based on confirmed funds. Note that this system operates on business days, not calendar days, which can affect weekend deposit timing. Additionally, the TurboTax system places a temporary hold on the account for verification purposes that typically clears within 2-4 hours of initial notification.
Haha this tracks with my experience last year. Got the "your refund is pending" message at like 10am and spent the whole day refreshing my account. Money finally showed up around 2pm. Longest 4 hours of my life when you're waiting for that sweet, sweet refund cash π But seriously, the timing was exactly as described here - 5 business days before my actual DDD.
5d
Just got my refund today! Filed on 2/1, accepted same day. WMR showed DDD of 2/26, but with TurboTax early deposit, it hit my account this morning at 9:43am. Exactly as the schedule predicted. Smooth process from start to finish.
I just went through this exact scenario and got my refund yesterday! Here's what happened: β’ Filed/accepted 1/29 β’ PATH hold message appeared 2/3 β’ TT showed payment processed 2/12 β’ Transcripts still showed N/A until 2/15 β’ Refund hit my account 2/17 The TT payment processed was definitely the first sign things were moving. Hang in there!
Same experience here! TT payment processed showed up exactly 5 days before my refund. It was like clockwork.
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Did either of you have any issues with your Where's My Refund tool during this time? Mine still shows processing even though TT shows payment processed.
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Instead of refreshing WMR or transcripts constantly, try checking your bank account for a pending deposit. Many banks show pending deposits 2-3 days before they post, and sometimes this appears before any IRS tools update. Also, if you have the IRS2Go app, sometimes it updates before the website does. Worth trying different approaches rather than just the transcript route.
I think I might have cracked the code on this, at least based on my experience! I've been filing taxes for about 15 years now, and I've noticed that WMR seems to update around 3-4am Eastern time, while transcripts typically update overnight between Wednesday and Friday. This year, I filed on January 29th, my transcript updated on February 15th (a Thursday), WMR updated on February 16th, and my refund was deposited on February 21st. It seems like there's roughly a 1-2 day lag between transcript updates and WMR updates, at least in my case.
On February 17th, 2024, my transcript updated showing a refund approved. WMR didn't update until February 19th, 2024. Then on February 22nd, 2024, the money appeared in my account. The gap between systems was exactly what you described - like they're running on completely different schedules. Last year was even worse - my transcript showed completion on March 3rd, 2023, but WMR didn't update until March 7th, 2023. The disconnect between these systems is consistently inconsistent!
The cycle code 05 means your account updates on Friday mornings, but it doesn't guarantee you'll see movement this specific Friday. According to the IRS's "Where's My Refund" FAQ page, verification processing typically takes 2-6 weeks. The 9-week timeline mentioned is their maximum estimate to manage expectations. If you check your online account at irs.gov rather than just the transcript, sometimes you can see when the verification hold is removed before other systems update.
Verification delays are system-dependent. Processing times vary. Nine weeks is maximum estimate. Most resolve faster. Cycle 05 indicates Friday updates. Check transcript early Saturday morning. Identity verification backlog is significant this year. International verification adds complexity. TPP department works separately from regular processing. Patience is unfortunately required.
The IRS verification system is like a series of locked doors, where each key has to be passed from one department to another. Think of it as your verification completing successfully (first door unlocked), but then the system needs to notify the processing department (second door), which then has to integrate with the refund issuance system (third door). Your cycle code is just which day of the week your particular hallway gets checked for unlocked doors. Most people get through all doors in 2-3 weeks, but sometimes a key gets delayed between departments.
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According to IRM 25.23.2, identity verification cases should be resolved within 21 days of successful verification per the Internal Revenue Manual guidelines. However, Treasury Regulation 301.6402-2 allows for extended processing when additional review is required. I've worked with numerous clients in similar situations, and cycle 05 typically indicates batch processing occurring Thursday night into Friday morning. Your diligence in tracking these details is commendable.
5d
If you're worried about an offset, don't just wait for it to happen. Call the Treasury Offset Program directly at 800-304-3107. They can tell you if you have any debts in the system that might affect your refund. This line is automated and actually works, unlike trying to reach a human at the IRS. You'll need your SSN ready. I do this every January before I file just to avoid surprises. Much better to know ahead of time so you can adjust your financial expectations.
According to the IRS.gov website, offsets follow a specific priority order if you have multiple types of debt. Tax debts always get paid first, then other federal debts, then state tax debts, and finally child support. Each type uses the same TC 898 code but with different reference numbers. The IRS has a detailed FAQ page about the refund offset process here: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203. The Bureau of Fiscal Service handles the actual offset program, and they're required to send you a notice after the offset occurs explaining what happened to your refund.
I recommend using taxr.ai for this situation. It analyzes tax transcripts. Shows offset indicators early. Helped me identify a pending offset last year. Saved me from counting on money that wasn't coming. The system flags specific codes that indicate offset processing. Worth checking out at https://taxr.ai if you're concerned.
Oh my goodness, I went through this exact nightmare last tax season! The key thing to understand is that offsets happen BEFORE your refund is issued, not after. I found out I had an offset 9 days after my return was accepted, but the WMR tool was still showing "processing" for weeks after that! The BFS (Bureau of Fiscal Service) handles offsets separately from regular IRS processing. If you're really worried, don't wait - call that TOP number others mentioned right away. And definitely don't count on getting your full refund until you've confirmed there's no offset!
According to Internal Revenue Manual 21.4.1, refund status information can lag behind actual processing by up to 7 business days. The WMR application operates on a separate system from the Master File where actual return processing occurs. Per IRS Publication 5344, paper checks are typically mailed within 24 hours of refund authorization, but the WMR update may not occur until the next scheduled database sync, which happens weekly. Your best course of action is to monitor your mail while periodically checking your transcript for code 846 (Refund Issued). If your refund doesn't arrive within 8 weeks of filing electronically or 12 weeks for paper filing, then you have grounds to initiate a refund trace per IRC Section 6512.
This happened to me in March. My WMR never moved past the first bar, but my check arrived on March 15th. I filed on February 2nd, so it took exactly 41 days from filing to delivery. I had the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit on my return which always takes longer. The IRS is processing returns in batches this year, and many people in my situation are reporting the same experience - WMR not updating but checks arriving anyway.
β’ So happy for you getting that 846 code! β’ Been checking my transcript daily with no luck β’ Started using https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript β’ It explained all my codes and what they mean β’ Showed me exactly what was causing my delay β’ Predicted when I'll likely see my 846 code β’ Really helped with my investment income reporting questions Thanks for sharing your good news - gives me hope mine will come through soon!
Got my 846 code yesterday too. According to the IRS refund schedule on https://www.irs.gov/refunds, direct deposits are issued on Wednesdays for codes generated between Friday-Thursday of the previous week. My experience matches this exactly. Last year I received my deposit exactly on the date shown in the 846 code. This year I'm expecting the same. The IRS has improved their processing times significantly in 2024.
Statiia Aarssizan
Just to clarify, are you checking your Account Transcript or Return Transcript? Account Transcript will show the processing status, while Return Transcript won't be available until processing is complete. Many people check the wrong transcript type and get confused by the "no return filed" message. Also, did you receive both acknowledgments (transmission AND acceptance)? They're different stages.
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Reginald Blackwell
Everyone in the tax community knows the first two weeks of February are chaos for PATH Act returns. The system is overloaded with millions of returns. Your transcript will likely update this Thursday or next Tuesday - those are the main batch processing days. Don't stress about the wrong filing status showing - it's just placeholder data until your return gets fully processed. Focus on the cycle code once it appears - that's your real indicator of progress.
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