I'm seeing the exact same pattern as last year. Filed February 2nd with EITC, transcript showed N/A for weeks, then suddenly on March 10th my transcript updated with codes 570 and 971 dated March 18th. Last year when this happened, I received a letter requesting verification of my dependents about a week later. After I sent the documentation, it took another 3 weeks to get my refund. The technical term for this is 'manual review' and it's much more common with PATH Act returns. Check your transcript for these hold codes.

For anyone still waiting on PATH Act processing, here's what I've learned from 3 years of this: • Check transcripts NOT WMR - transcripts update first • Early February is when most PATH releases happen • Look for Transaction Code 846 - that's your refund date • Bars disappearing on WMR is NORMAL • Code 570 means temporary hold • Don't panic if you get code 971 - often just a notice I'm down to the wire on some bills that need paying ASAP! Anyone know if the PATH Act processing is faster or slower this year compared to 2023?

I successfully navigated this verification process last month. After receiving notification that identity verification was required, I received my 14-digit Identity Verification Code via USPS within 9 days. The verification interface required both the code and answers to questions based on my credit history. Post-verification, my return status transitioned from "Being Processed" to "Approved" within 6 business days, with cycle code 20241105 appearing on my transcript. DDD was scheduled exactly 8 days after verification was complete. Total timeframe from verification to deposit was 14 calendar days. My recommendation is to monitor your transcript daily for TC 570 reversal, which indicates verification acceptance.

For anyone waiting on verification codes: • Average mail delivery time: 5-10 business days • Verification completion time: ~15 minutes online • Post-verification processing: typically 5-14 days • Most common hold codes: TC 570/971 combination • Fastest resolution: Online verification (vs. phone) • CRITICAL: If no code arrives within 14 days, call IRS immediately! • Need code TODAY? Call early (7am EST) for shortest wait times Running out of time and patience? Most successful verification calls happen Monday-Wednesday before 9am EST!

Did you receive any correspondence or notices from the IRS before getting your refund? My situation is similar to yours (filed Feb 10, 5 dependents) but unlike your smooth process, I received a 5071C identity verification letter. Wondering if that's going to delay me compared to your timeline.

The PATH Act hold is specifically designed to prevent refund fraud. Your return was likely flagged as low-risk based on your filing history and documentation. The IRS uses an automated system called Dependent Database (DDb) to cross-reference dependent information against multiple federal databases. Clean matches move through faster. Most returns with Child Tax Credit claims actually take 3-4 weeks after February 15th to process. You're one of the lucky ones.

Just got my refund this morning with the same setup as you. Credit Karma with 2/25 DDD and fees taken out. My SBTPG never updated until after the money was already in my account. Much faster than last year when I used TurboTax - that took almost a week after DDD. For me, the SBTPG website was completely useless but the money still came through. Bank shows it was processed at 4am today.

I'm in a similar boat with DDD of 2/25/25 but I'm using TurboTax. My transcript updated on February 19th, but nothing has shown in my account yet. Called my bank on February 22nd and they said they don't even see a pending deposit. Really worried because I've read horror stories about refunds being stuck at SBTPG for weeks! Especially concerned since I filed on January 29th and it's already been so long.

Why does the IRS still rely on paper mail for such critical communications? Wouldn't it make more sense to use the email address we provide on our tax returns? I'm financially dependent on my refund this year and can't afford these delays. For those wondering, you can check if you need to verify your identity here: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/verify-your-identity even without receiving the letter. I confirmed this with an agent yesterday after waiting on hold for 3 hours. They're experiencing higher than normal verification requests this year due to increased fraud prevention measures.

There's a specific IRS code for identity verification holds - TC 9504. If you can access any transcript at all, look for this code. It won't show on your account transcript until they've begun processing your return, but it explains the blank transcript situation many people are experiencing. The verification letter is officially called Letter 5071C, 5747C, or 4883C depending on your specific situation. If you know you need to verify, you can sometimes do it proactively through the IRS Identity Verification Service without waiting for the letter.