I've been through the verification process three times in the past five years. In 2019, it took 8 weeks. In 2022, it took 5 weeks. This year, it took just over 3 weeks. My experience suggests that processing times have improved, but it still varies quite a bit. One thing I've learned is that checking your account transcript is more helpful than the Where's My Refund tool - the transcript will show code changes before WMR updates. Also, if you verified online rather than by mail or phone, you'll typically see faster processing.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since you're going through this right now. I completed my identity verification on February 28th and got my refund deposited on March 25th - so exactly 25 days total. Like others mentioned, the key is checking your transcript regularly on the IRS website rather than just relying on Where's My Refund. I saw my 570 code appear after about 2 weeks, then 571 about a week later, and DDD showed up 3 days after that. The 9-week timeframe is definitely their worst-case scenario to manage expectations. Since you mentioned this is your first time filing after divorce, make sure all your personal info matches exactly what the IRS has on file - any discrepancies can add delays. Hang in there, it's likely going to be much faster than 9 weeks!

Don't forget to check for any garnishments! Sounds weird but sometimes if you have an unpaid ticket or something that went to collections, they can garnish wages without you realizing.

As someone who's dealt with payroll discrepancies before, I'd definitely recommend starting with the FICA tax angle that Oliver mentioned - that $200 difference sounds like it could be exactly that 7.65% withholding if you're exempt as an F-1 student. But here's another angle to consider: check if your employer used a different pay period calculation than you expected. Sometimes summer jobs will show gross pay that includes partial weeks or overlapping pay periods that can make the math seem off when you're just adding up what hit your bank account. Also, don't overlook state-specific deductions. Some states have disability insurance, transit taxes, or other mandatory withholdings that might not be clearly labeled on your W2 but would show up in your gross-to-net calculation. The good news is that as an international student, you're actually in a better position than most to get this resolved because there are specific IRS guidelines about what can and can't be deducted from your pay. Document everything and don't be afraid to push back if something seems wrong - employers make mistakes with international student payroll more often than they'd like to admit.

Has anyone actually compared the tax brackets from last year to this year? I heard they adjusted for inflation but not sure if that would cause such a big refund difference??

I went through something similar last year and it's really frustrating when you're expecting a certain amount! One thing that might help is to look at your actual tax liability from both years rather than just the refund amount. Your refund is essentially how much you overpaid in taxes through withholding minus what you actually owe. So if your tax liability went up (due to the DoorDash income and losing education credits as others mentioned), but your withholding stayed roughly the same, that would directly reduce your refund. The DoorDash income is particularly tricky because not only does it increase your regular income tax, but you also owe that 15.3% self-employment tax on it. For next year, you might want to make quarterly estimated tax payments if you continue doing gig work, or adjust your W-4 to have more withheld from your regular job to cover the additional tax from side income. This way you won't get hit with a surprise smaller refund (or potentially owe money) again.

Don't forget that many state tax agencies offer free assistance for these kinds of questions. I had a similar ITIN issue and was able to get help by visiting my state's taxpayer assistance center in person. The wait was about an hour, but they walked me through exactly how to handle the extension with a pending ITIN application. Sometimes talking to a real person who knows your state's specific requirements is the best way to go, especially for unusual situations like this one.

I just want to add that if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the different state requirements, don't panic! The key thing to remember is that filing a state extension is usually much simpler than it seems, and the penalties for getting it slightly wrong are typically much less severe than missing the deadline entirely. Since you already filed your federal return, you're ahead of the game. Most states are pretty understanding about ITIN situations since they're becoming more common. The main thing is to file SOMETHING by the deadline - even if it's not perfect, it shows good faith effort to comply. Also, keep detailed records of everything you submit. Take screenshots of online filings, keep copies of forms, and note down confirmation numbers. This documentation will be helpful if any questions come up later when you file your actual return with the completed ITIN. You've got this - the fact that you're asking these questions now instead of waiting until the last minute shows you're being responsible about the process!

The IRS systems are such a mess rn... one status means something different every other day i stg 🤡

I experienced the exact same thing! Mine changed from "not processed" to "not available" about 2 weeks ago and I was panicking thinking something went wrong. But then last Friday I checked and boom - DDD appeared with a deposit date for this week! The "not available" status seems to be their way of saying they're actively working on it. Definitely check daily because once it updates, things move fast. Good luck! 🤞