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This happened to me last year, but it was nothing compared to what my brother went through in 2022. His return "didn't exist" for almost 8 weeks, while mine appeared after about 3 weeks of being "lost." The difference? He had claimed recovery rebate credit and I had a simple return. The more complex your return, the longer it seems to take to show up in all their systems. When you called, did they check your SSN against all possible filing statuses? Sometimes they only check one (like single) when you might have filed differently (like head of household).
According to the IRS Operations Dashboard (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue), they're still dealing with a backlog from previous years. The TaxPro forums are showing similar issues for early filers this year. I recommend checking the "Where's My Refund" tool at https://www.irs.gov/refunds rather than calling. Sometimes WMR will show your return is processing even when transcripts show N/A and phone reps can't find it. Also verify on your tax software's website that your return was officially accepted (not just submitted). Most tax software companies have a status tracker that shows both submission and IRS acceptance.
Successfully completed my ID verification last week after initially being very frustrated by the process. My appointment took exactly 22 minutes from check-in to completion. The IRS representative verified my Schedule C business income documentation, cross-referenced my 1099-NEC forms, and confirmed my identity using my passport and driver's license. Despite the inconvenience of going in person, the actual appointment was efficient and my return was processed within 48 hours afterward. My refund hit my account this morning!
According to IRS Procedural Notice 2023-56, the enhanced verification procedures were implemented to address the approximately $5.7 billion in fraudulent refund attempts during the previous tax year. While frustrating, these measures have reportedly reduced identity theft refund fraud by 58%. The disconnect between online submission and in-person verification stems from limitations in the IRS Identity Protection PIN system architecture, which currently cannot authenticate certain document types without physical inspection. For high-income filers, this primarily affects those with Schedule C income or claiming certain credits.
Be careful about assuming everything is fine just because others are experiencing delays too. According to Internal Revenue Manual section 21.5.6.4.7, transcript availability should occur within 7-10 days after e-file acceptance. When it shows N/A after this timeframe, it could indicate a potential review flag. While most delays are indeed due to general backlog, approximately 12.8% of early filers from 2023 data experienced some form of manual review that caused extended delays. I'd advise checking your return for potential audit triggers like home office deductions, unreported income discrepancies, or math errors. Not trying to alarm you, but preparation is prudent.
FWIW this is super common rn. IRS is swamped + their systems are ancient. Most ppl I know who filed early Feb are still waiting. The N/A transcript + WMR stuck on processing combo usually means ur in the queue but haven't been assigned to a processor yet. Unless u get a letter from IRS, prob nothing wrong w/ ur return. Hang tight - most early Feb filers I know are just now starting to see movement. Pro tip: check transcripts Wed/Thurs AM for best chance of seeing updates.
Did you file electronically or by mail? I'm still waiting on mine and I'm trying to figure out if there's any pattern to who gets theirs faster. Filed Feb 1st and transcript just updated last week, but no money yet. This is killing my budget!
For anyone still waiting on refunds, here's what's happening this tax season: 1. The IRS is experiencing higher-than-normal verification procedures for returns filed in 2024 2. According to the IRS operations page (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations), they're currently processing returns received through early March 3. If you claimed certain credits (EITC, ACTC), your refund is subject to the PATH Act which prevents issuance before mid-February 4. The "Where's My Refund" tool updates only once daily (usually overnight) 5. Transcripts typically update on Friday mornings between 12am-6am EST The good news is that most refunds are still being issued within 21 days of acceptance.
Isn't it interesting how the IRS can be so precise with some things and yet so vague with others? I remember waiting for months last year with zero information. This kind of transparency about processing times would have saved me so much anxiety.
Luca Marino
The IRS address system is like a bad game of telephone sometimes. One department says one thing, another says something completely different! š But seriously, the community wisdom here is pretty consistent: don't wait for the letter if you suspect it's going to the wrong address. Have you considered that the IRS might be using the address from your most recently processed tax return? If your 2023 return is still processing, they might be using your 2022 address. If I were you, I'd try to handle this through the online verification system first (if eligible), then phone, and only as a last resort wait for the in-person appointment.
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Aisha Rahman
ā¢This is all super helpful info, thank you! I had no idea their systems were so disconnected from each other.
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CosmicCrusader
ā¢Does anyone know if the IRS will resend a verification letter to a new address if you call and explain the situation?
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Ethan Brown
I was in almost the exact same boat last year! Different departments at the IRS were sending my stuff to different addresses, and I was about to lose my mind. What worked for me was calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service (877-777-4778) and explaining that I was facing financial hardship due to the delay. They were able to expedite my identity verification process and get my refund released within 2 weeks. The key was documenting everything - names of who I spoke with, dates, reference numbers, etc. This is one situation where being super persistent actually pays off. The system is frustrating but there are ways through it!
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