According to IRS Procedural Bulletin 2023-17, identity verification letters should be processed and mailed within 5 business days of the verification flag being placed on an account. However, due to the staffing shortages authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, this timeline has been extended to "up to 15 business days" for fiscal year 2024. Once you receive and complete verification, Internal Revenue Manual 21.5.6.4.11 specifies that refunds should be issued within 9 weeks, though in practice it's typically 2-3 weeks. If you're experiencing financial hardship, you can request expedited processing under Economic Hardship Provision 6343(a)(1)(D), though this requires additional documentation.

Just to clarify something important - when you get the identity verification letter, you have two options: verify online (if eligible) or call the special number on the letter (not the regular IRS number). Many people make the mistake of calling the main IRS line, which won't help with verification. The letter will tell you exactly which option(s) you qualify for. Also, your 45-day review period doesn't start until AFTER you've verified your identity, not from when you filed your return.

Looking at this from a broader perspective, it's worth noting that per IRS Publication 17 and Internal Revenue Manual 21.4.1, the IRS maintains multiple address records in their systems. The Master File address is what's used for correspondence and refund checks, while the return information address is what appears on your filed return. When you spoke with the IRS representatives, they likely confirmed your correct address is in the Master File, which is the critical one for receiving your check. Something else to consider: if you filed Form 8822 (Change of Address) at any point, or if you've updated your address with the USPS and the IRS has cross-referenced this information, these actions would further ensure your check goes to the right place. The regulations are actually designed to handle these common errors efficiently.

I see a lot of advice here about the standard procedure, but let me share what actually happens in practice with DD rejects. The bank will reject the ACH transfer due to the account number mismatch, which triggers an automatic refund trace in the IRS system. This creates a TC 971 code on your transcript with an action code of 281. Once this happens, the paper check issuance is automatically scheduled, usually with a 2-3 week timeframe. The most reliable way to track this is actually through your tax transcript rather than WMR. If you can access your transcript online, look for these codes and you'll know exactly where you stand in the process. Such a relief when I finally figured this out after dealing with the same issue!

You might want to try accessing your transcript through the IRS Transcript Delivery System (TDS) instead of the regular Get Transcript function: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript. Sometimes the main transcript page shows N/A while the TDS has more current information. Also, check the Tax Return Database (TRDB) status through your tax software if you used one of the major providers - they sometimes have processing status information before it appears on the IRS systems.

I filed on April 15th at 4:30pm EST with a complex Schedule C return including home office deduction, mileage expenses, and QBI calculations. My transcript showed absolutely nothing for 31 days - not even an indication that I had filed. Then suddenly yesterday everything updated at once with a Direct Deposit Date (DDD) of next Wednesday. The IRS systems seem to batch-process the deadline filers rather than handling them in strict chronological order. The Cycle Code on my transcript is 20221905, which indicates it was processed in the 19th week of 2024 on a Friday batch run.

I just went through this exact situation! I completely forgot to file until June because my husband was in the hospital. I was panicking about penalties, but my neighbor (who's a retired accountant) told me not to worry. I filed on June 12th using TurboTax and got my refund by direct deposit on July 5th. No penalties, no issues whatsoever. The IRS doesn't penalize you when THEY owe YOU money - only the other way around. Just make sure you don't wait too long. While you have 3 years to claim a refund, why let the government hold your money interest-free? File as soon as you can!

Here's a step-by-step approach for your situation: 1. First, determine if you're truly owed a refund by completing your tax return 2. If you are owed a refund, you can file anytime within 3 years with no penalties 3. If you unexpectedly owe taxes, file immediately to minimize potential penalties 4. Consider using tax software that still supports 2023 returns (most major providers do until October) 5. Have your documents organized: 1099-R, SSA-1099, medical receipts, donation records 6. Double-check if you qualify for age-related tax benefits (over 65 standard deduction increase) 7. Don't forget to check your state tax requirements, which may differ from federal The community consensus is clear - if you're getting money back, there's no penalty for filing late. The IRS is much more concerned about collecting money owed to them than returning money owed to you.

I've seen this scenario play out dozens of times with clients. Here's what typically happens: Your original return will process normally with the refund issued on 5/1 as indicated by the 846 code. The amendment enters a completely separate processing queue and won't impact your original refund. However, I would recommend setting aside the original refund amount until the amendment finalizes (especially if it will result in you owing money). In my experience, the best approach would have been waiting for the original to process first, but you're not in a problematic situation - just a slightly more complex one.

Let me clarify what's happening with your situation: • The 846 code with date 5/1/24 means your original return is processing normally • Your refund from the original return will likely be issued on or around May 1st • Your amendment (1040-X) has entered a separate processing queue • Amendment processing typically takes 16-20 weeks currently • The two processes will run independently of each other This is actually a common scenario, though the agent's advice to amend immediately rather than wait was questionable. I would recommend keeping detailed records of both processes.