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Your refund is likely being processed right now. The IRS is required by law to hold all EIC refunds until February 15th at the earliest (due to the PATH Act), but they're now working through the backlog. Based on current processing times, returns accepted on 1/22 with EIC should be completing verification now. You need to take these steps immediately: 1. Check WMR daily - use the IRS2Go app for quicker updates 2. Call the tax advocate service at 877-777-4778 if nothing by 4/5 3. Set up direct deposit verification in your bank account 4. Prepare ID verification documents in case you're selected The medical appointment timing is concerning, but you should see movement within 7-10 days based on current patterns.
The PATH Act verification protocols are creating a bifurcated processing timeline this year. Returns with Earned Income Credit submitted before January 29th are being processed in sequential batches based on Cycle Code assignment. Your January 22nd acceptance date would typically place you in Cycle 05, which updates transcripts on Thursdays and reflects in WMR on Saturdays. Have you verified your tax account access credentials recently? The transcript unavailability could be due to authentication issues rather than processing status. The IRS transcript database and WMR systems operate on separate update schedules and don't always synchronize correctly during peak processing periods.
Have you checked your account transcript instead of just WMR? Many people don't realize the transcript updates first. My timeline this year: Filed Jan 25 with TT, accepted same day, transcript showed 846 code on Feb 15, Chime deposit hit Feb 20 (DDD was Feb 22). Why does this matter? Because the transcript is the actual IRS record, while WMR is just a simplified interface that updates more slowly. Check your transcript daily after 3am EST when the system updates.
I filed with TurboTax but use a credit union instead of Chime. My DDD is also 2/22. Last year I had to wait until exactly the DDD date while my friend with Chime got it 2 days early. Has anyone compared multiple banks to see which ones consistently release funds early vs. which ones hold until the exact date?
I'm not entirely sure about this, but I believe you might have a small window of opportunity to address this... I had a somewhat similar situation in 2022, and I think you should be careful about timing. If your 2023 refund is already being processed, it might be too late to prevent the offset. The IRS systems typically check for outstanding liabilities right before issuing refunds, and once that process starts, it's very difficult to stop. You might want to consider calling them immediately to discuss your options, though I worry you might not reach someone in time.
Have you considered all your options here? The offset is automatic, but you do have choices for handling the remaining balance. Would a payment plan work better for your situation? Could you request an audit reconsideration if you believe the assessment is incorrect? Did you know you can request abatement of penalties (though not the tax itself) if you have reasonable cause? Many retirees qualify for first-time penalty abatement if they've had a good compliance history. The community wisdom here is to be proactive - contact them before they contact you, and always get any agreements in writing.
The offset process follows a specific timeline that explains your situation perfectly. When the IRS issues a refund with code 846, they send the full amount to the Bureau of Fiscal Service exactly 3-5 business days before your DDD. The BFS then checks the Treasury Offset Program database and processes any required offsets, typically taking 1-2 days. This means you'll receive the reduced amount (original refund minus support obligations) on your scheduled deposit date. The notice explaining the offset is mailed separately and usually arrives 7-10 days after the deposit. This timing gap is completely normal and affects approximately 3.2 million taxpayers annually who have various types of offsets.
Have you considered what might happen if you make financial plans based on receiving the full amount? The transcript shows what the IRS has approved, but have you verified what will actually reach your bank account? Many taxpayers are surprised when their deposit is smaller than expected due to this exact situation. Could you contact your state's child support enforcement agency directly to confirm the offset amount? They often have this information before it appears in any federal system and might give you a more accurate picture of what to expect.
Zainab Omar
Chime user here. DDD 2/24 too. Got my deposit this morning. Full amount minus the advance I received. Check your account now. Chime usually processes early morning. If nothing by Wednesday, call IRS. They can trace your refund. Sometimes the bank info gets mistyped.
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Connor Murphy
Have you tried checking your tax transcript instead of just WMR? Sometimes your transcript will show different codes that explain what's happening. In my case last year, my refund showed as approved on WMR but my transcript had a code 570 which meant there was a hold. The situation with Chime and advances is similar to how some tax prep services handle refund advances - the timing can vary compared to people who didn't get advances.
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