Have you tried checking your account transcript instead of just your return transcript? Sometimes it's like looking for your keys in just the living room when they might be in the kitchen. The account transcript might show a pending refund amount that hasn't made it to your return transcript yet. Also worth checking the WMR tool - sometimes it updates before the transcripts do.

The IRS community wisdom on this is pretty consistent - when a refund pays off a payment plan, you'll get what's left over but it takes time. Last year my brother had this exact scenario. He had about $3,200 in his refund, owed $1,800 on a payment plan, and was expecting $1,400 back. It took almost exactly 3 weeks after the offset for the remaining refund to process. The IRS systems handle these in batches, so patience is unfortunately the name of the game here.

I filed exactly 52 days ago and was stuck with that message for 47 days straight. No notices, no transcript updates, nothing. Called IRS after exactly 21 days and again at 35 days - both times told "just keep waiting." Finally got my refund yesterday with no explanation for the delay. It was exactly the amount I expected, so clearly no adjustments were made. The system is just overwhelmed and moving at a glacial pace for many of us.

I was hesitant to share this, but I think it might help others... I was in a similar situation with my return filed February 3rd. After waiting patiently for about 5 weeks with the same delayed message, I decided to check my transcript one more time before calling. To my surprise, it had updated overnight with a direct deposit date. Two days later, the money was in my account - even though WMR never updated beyond the "still processing" message. So maybe check your transcript if you haven't recently? Sometimes the systems don't sync properly.

Do you know why they sent a check instead of direct deposit? I'm in a similar situation (verified on 3/10) and wondering if I'll get DD or paper check. My bank info hasn't changed since last year.

I went through this last year and the year before. The ID verification system has become pretty standard for many filers. In 2022 it took me 8 weeks after verification to get my refund. Last year it was about 3 weeks. This year it seems they've improved their processes quite a bit based on your timeline and what I'm seeing from others.

Is an in-person appointment really necessary? Couldn't you just call the ID verify number on the letter instead? Seems like they're making this unnecessarily complicated by not sending the letter promptly. And how do we know this appointment will actually resolve anything?

Bring everything. Don't take chances. Photo ID. Social security card. Birth certificate. Two utility bills. Copy of this year's return. Copy of last year's return. Bank statements. Pay stubs. Marriage certificate if filing jointly. Appointment takes 15-30 minutes. They'll verify quickly. Processing after verification takes 9 business days typically. Don't forget your phone with the appointment confirmation.

This is nothing compared to what happened with amended returns last year. My friend waited 6 months for his check, while my rejected direct deposit only took 2 weeks to be reissued. The IRS is actually much faster with bounced deposits than with other issues. Look at it this way - at least you're not dealing with an identity verification hold. Those take 9 weeks minimum compared to your 2-3 week wait.

This happens a lot. IRS has a system. Takes about 3 weeks. Maybe longer. Depends on staffing. Can't speed it up. Just wait. Check your mail daily. No tracking available. Sorry about that.