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When I was stuck in this situation last year, I finally got tired of waiting and called the IRS. Spent three days trying to get through their phone system. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. The agent confirmed my return was fine and just in the verification queue. Got my deposit about a week later. Sometimes just talking to a human at the IRS can put your mind at ease or identify if there's an actual issue that needs addressing.
Thank you!! I tried calling twice but gave up after being on hold forever. Might try this service if I don't see movement by next week.
10d
No problem! Yeah, the hold times are brutal this time of year. Just knowing nothing was wrong with my return made the wait easier. Good luck!
8d
Check your transcript if you can access it online. It will show more detailed info than the WMR tool. If you see codes like 570/971, there might be a small issue they're reviewing. If you just see code 152, you're in normal processing.
I tried but can't access my transcript online because I don't have a credit card or loan for verification š Guess I'll just have to wait and see
10d
Be careful with this situation. My brother had the same code, verified no offsets, and ignored it thinking it was a mistake. Six months later, still no refund, and turns out they were questioning some business expenses on his Schedule C. The letter had been sent to an old address. By the time he sorted it out, they had escalated it to an actual audit. Don't assume it'll just work itself out - be proactive once you get that letter.
How long exactly did it take from when he first saw the code until the situation was fully resolved? And did he end up getting the full refund amount or did they adjust it?
7d
That's like leaving your car running in a bad neighborhood and hoping it doesn't get stolen. The IRS process is similar - if you don't attend to it, things can go from simple verification to complex audit pretty quickly. I've seen this happen to clients who thought ignoring notices would make them go away.
7d
I went through this exact situation in February. Tax topic 151, confirmed no offsets, total confusion. Turned out they just needed to verify my identity because I had moved to a new state mid-year. Used the ID verify tool on IRS.gov, and my refund was processed within 9 days after that. Much less dramatic than I expected! The system works, it's just not very transparent about what's happening.
Did you receive any email confirmation when your advance was denied? Did it specifically mention how the fees would be refunded? What date did you file and when was the advance officially denied?
Not OP but I'm in the same boat and this thread is a lifesaver! š I got an email on Feb 12 saying I was denied, but it only vaguely mentioned "fees will be refunded according to terms and conditions" without any timeline.
8d
I had this happen last year. Filed January 31st, denied February 3rd. Got my fees back February 21st. They sent it to my direct deposit account. Never got any notification it was coming - just showed up. Called probably 30 times in between with no help. The whole system is designed to make you give up.
7d
What if I told you this happens every single year and is practically built into their business model? How many people give up after calling a few times and just write off the $39-89 in fees? Millions. Now multiply that by even a small percentage of filers who don't pursue refunds aggressively. It's a substantial amount of money they're holding onto for weeks or months. I've been preparing taxes professionally for 8 years and always advise clients against these advance products for this exact reason. The convenience rarely outweighs the headaches when anything goes wrong - and something goes wrong for about 15-20% of applicants based on what I've seen.
The transcript behavior you're describing is specifically related to the IRS Master File processing system. When your return moves between different processing stages, the transcript availability temporarily changes. The N/A status for 4 consecutive days may indicate your return has moved to the final verification stage before refund approval. This is typically a positive sign that processing is nearing completion rather than an indication of problems.
I remember my first time dealing with this last year - drove me absolutely crazy! I was checking WMR hourly and watching my transcript like it was a suspense movie. What I learned after three tax seasons of this: the IRS systems are incredibly old and don't talk to each other well. My transcript did the exact same dance - N/A, then star, then back to N/A for almost a week. Then suddenly everything appeared at once and my refund hit 3 days later. The waiting is the hardest part, but this pattern is actually pretty normal.
I think we should acknowledge that the IRS transcript system, while confusing, does follow certain patterns that experienced users can recognize. The 971 code is one of the most common codes and appears on nearly every transcript at some point in the process. What's important is not to panic when seeing it, as it's often just a procedural step rather than an indication of problems with your return.
Have you considered that the 971 might actually be good news? Many taxpayers don't realize that notices aren't always about problems, are they? In about 40% of cases, a standalone 971 code is followed by an 846 refund issued code within 7-10 days. Instead of calling, I'd recommend checking your transcript again this Friday - you might be pleasantly surprised to see your refund has been scheduled.
Be careful with H&R Block status updates. Mine showed "approved" for weeks. Called IRS eventually. Had an error code. Needed to verify identity. Lost three weeks because I trusted the H&R Block tracker. Always check directly with IRS.
H&R Block filer here with timeline: ā¢ Filed: Feb 8 ā¢ Accepted: Feb 8 ā¢ WMR showed first bar only for 3 weeks ā¢ Transcript updated Mar 1 with 570 code ā¢ Called IRS Mar 5 - told to wait ā¢ Refund deposited Mar 12 Need to check ASAP if you're getting delayed! Could be simple verification or could be something that needs your action!
I might be wrong, but I believe you could possibly try requesting a taxpayer advocate? From what I understand, they might be able to help if you're experiencing financial hardship because of the delay. I think you need to fill out Form 911, if I remember correctly. It sort of worked for my cousin who was waiting for almost a year, though it still took a few more weeks after that.
Has anyone successfully received an amended refund without intervention from a taxpayer advocate or congressional representative? If so, exactly how long did it take from submission to deposit? Did you receive any correspondence in between or did it just suddenly appear in your account?
I went through this exact situation two weeks ago. Here's what I learned: First, the N/A transcript means your return is in the pre-processing queue. Second, returns with Child Tax Credit are subject to additional verification under the PATH Act. Third, the IRS is experiencing higher than normal verification delays this year. Fourth, most returns with this status are resolved within 45-60 days from filing. Fifth, calling before that timeframe rarely provides additional information. I understand how frustrating this waiting period is, especially when you're counting on that money.
File IRS Form 911 immediately! Per Internal Revenue Manual 13.1.7.2, Taxpayer Advocate Service intervention is warranted after 30 days of processing delay if financial hardship exists. Document any expenses dependent on refund funds. Submit via fax to your local TAS office by COB tomorrow. Include all filing documentation. Reference IRC Section 6402 regarding timely processing requirements. Do not wait for automated systems to update! TAS can expedite processing in 5-7 business days in hardship cases.
I work with a lot of clients who have this issue. Last filing season, I had a client with the exact same situation - correct routing number but wrong account number. We monitored her transcript using the Transaction Code (TC) 846 which shows refund issued. Initially it showed the direct deposit attempt, then about 12 days later, it updated with a new TC 846 with the paper check amount. She received the check approximately 7-10 business days after that second TC 846 appeared. The key is to watch for that second refund issued code, which indicates the paper check has been processed.
I appreciate the detailed explanation about the Transaction Code 846. I've been monitoring my transcript daily and was confused about seeing multiple codes. This helps me understand exactly what stage my refund is in and what to expect next. Would you happen to know if there's a typical timeframe between the first and second TC 846 appearances?
10d
This is exactly what I needed to know! The IRS publications cite all these regulations but never explain it in practical terms like this. I've been reading through Publication 5334 and couldn't find clear guidance on the direct deposit rejection process. Really appreciate the insights from someone who's seen this play out multiple times.
9d
I might suggest a slightly different approach, though I'd be cautious about expectations. If your return was very recently filed, you could potentially file an amended return (Form 1040-X) to correct the banking information. However, this might actually slow things down further rather than speed them up. In most cases, it's generally better to simply let the incorrect direct deposit attempt fail naturally and wait for the paper check. The IRS systems are designed to handle this situation automatically, and intervening sometimes creates more complications than it resolves.
Connor Murphy
Have u checked ur actual bank acct? Sometimes $ hits there b4 SBTPG updates. Also, what time zone r u in? IRS usually processes in batches throughout the day EST.
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Yara Haddad
There's another factor to consider here that many people overlook. If you had tax preparation fees taken out of your refund, SBTPG has to receive the full amount from the IRS, deduct their fees, and then forward the remainder to your bank. This adds another layer of processing time. Have you checked if your tax preparation included this option? And what bank do you use? Some banks hold deposits for 24 hours before making them available, especially for larger amounts. The combination of SBTPG processing plus bank holding periods can make it seem like there's a bigger delay than there actually is.
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