Based on my experience working with several clients in similar situations, the TAS has become much more responsive to hardship cases in 2024 compared to previous years. I've seen them accept cases as early as 2-3 weeks after amendment filing when proper documentation was provided. The key is submitting Form 911 with comprehensive documentation of your hardship AND proof that you've attempted to resolve through normal channels. I recommend calling the TAS intake line directly at 877-777-4778 rather than the general IRS line, as they can better assess your situation.

I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago with a burst pipe that flooded my basement right after filing an amended return. Here's what worked for me: I called the TAS line (877-777-4778) and explained that I had immediate housing safety concerns due to water damage. The key was having documentation ready - photos of the damage, repair estimates, and a letter from my insurance company showing the coverage gap. They accepted my case within 5 days of filing Form 911 because I could demonstrate that the water damage posed health risks and I couldn't afford repairs without my refund. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to wait months - if you have genuine hardship with proper documentation, TAS can act quickly. The whole process took about 6 weeks from when they accepted my case to getting my refund. Stay persistent and document everything!

There are actually a few factors that might affect your timeline after verification: 1. The type of credits you claimed (EITC/CTC generally take longer) 2. Whether you filed electronically or by paper (e-file is faster) 3. Whether your return had any other compliance flags 4. The current IRS backlog situation I would say, based on what I've generally seen, most people who verify their identity see movement within 3-4 weeks, though it can certainly be faster. The 9-week timeline is probably their worst-case scenario estimate for the most complex situations. If you're approaching week 5 with no movement at all, that would be when I'd consider reaching out to the IRS again.

I went through this exact same process last year! Had to verify identity over the phone in February, and they gave me the same "up to 9 weeks" timeline that had me panicking. But here's the thing - I got my DDD (Direct Deposit Date) exactly 19 days after verification. My transcript was completely blank for about 2 weeks, then suddenly updated with all the processing codes overnight. The key is to check your transcript every Thursday night/Friday morning - that's when most updates happen. Don't stress too much about the 9-week timeline, it's really their worst-case scenario. Since you filed jointly for the first time, make sure there are no name/SSN mismatches between you and your spouse's info, as that can cause additional delays. But honestly, most people I know who had to verify got their refunds within 2-4 weeks. You should see movement soon!

6 months wait is rough but atleast u got paid! im in month 8 rn and counting 🤡

Wow, 6 months is a long time but at least you got that interest payment! I'm curious - did you have to do anything specific during the wait or just sit tight? I'm dealing with a similar situation and wondering if there are any steps I should be taking to move things along faster.

Everyone is missing a simple solution. Grandma could just give OP the $70k, file the gift tax return, and use some of her lifetime exemption. Unless Grandma has already given away millions or has an estate worth over $12 million, there will NEVER be any actual gift tax paid. The annual exclusion just lets you avoid filing paperwork, but exceeding it doesn't automatically mean you pay tax! I did this last year. Got $100k from my parents for a house downpayment. They filed a gift tax return. No tax was owed. Simple as that.

This is a great thread with lots of helpful information! As someone who works in tax preparation, I see this confusion about gift taxes all the time. The key takeaway is that the IRS looks at the economic substance, not just the form of transactions. One point I'd add is that even if your grandma uses her lifetime exemption, she should keep good records of all gifts made. The IRS can ask for documentation going back several years, especially if there are questions about the timing or intent of multiple family gifts. Also, for anyone considering the direct payment route for education or medical expenses - make sure the payment goes directly from the giver to the institution. If grandma gives you money and you pay the school, that counts as a regular gift. But if she writes the check directly to the university, it's unlimited and doesn't count against any limits. The gift splitting option mentioned by others is also really powerful for married couples and something many people don't realize they can do.

Pro tip: the cycle code is actually part of a longer number that contains the year and week info too. Like 20231101 means 2023, 11th week, Monday processing. Understanding these patterns helps predict your update schedule.

The cycle code ending in 01 is actually pretty standard - nothing to worry about! It just means your return gets processed on Mondays. From my experience, 01 cycles tend to move at a decent pace, though every situation is different depending on your specific return details. Keep checking your transcript on Tuesday mornings like others mentioned, and don't stress too much about the cycle code itself - it's more about timing than anything else.