Have you tried checking your tax transcript instead of WMR? Here's what I'd do: 1. Create an account on IRS.gov if you don't have one 2. Request your 2023 Account Transcript (not Return Transcript) 3. Look for Transaction Codes - specifically 150 (return filed), 570 (processing hold), or 971 (notice issued) 4. Check for code 846 which means refund issued The transcript will update before WMR does in most cases. If you see code 570, don't panic - it often just means they're processing the 1099-B matching.

Mail processing is unpredictable. Consider amended return. File electronically next time. Use specific brokers with electronic reporting. Worth the switch. Might save weeks next year.

I verified my identity on February 24th and received my refund on April 12th - exactly 47 days later. Here's what happened: After verification, my transcript showed no updates for 3 weeks. Then on March 18th, I got code 570 (hold). On March 29th, code 571 (hold released) appeared. On April 7th, I got code 846 (refund issued) with a date of April 12th. The money arrived exactly on that date. Check your transcript weekly - it's the best indicator of progress.

Got my refund exactly 38 days after verification! Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. Would I want to go through it again? Not a chance. The key was checking my transcript every Friday morning (seems to be when they update most accounts). My cycle code was 20231705, which meant Friday updates. Once I saw code 846, the money was in my account 5 days later. Hang in there!

I went through this exact nightmare last year and got my money back by following these steps: 1. First, I verified my refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool to confirm it had been issued 2. I called the IRS (took forever but worth it) and explained the situation - they confirmed the check had been cashed and started a payment trace 3. I filed a formal complaint with my state's Department of Revenue AND the IRS using Form 14157 4. I sent a certified letter to the preparer stating I would pursue legal action if the funds weren't returned within 10 days 5. I filed a police report for theft/fraud The combination of these steps worked! Within 3 weeks, the preparer contacted me and returned my money. Don't give up - the system actually works if you're persistent and document everything.

Be very careful how you proceed. I had a client who found himself in a similar situation, but he made the mistake of posting accusations about the tax preparer on social media before verifying all the facts. The preparer sued him for defamation and it turned into a legal nightmare. First, absolutely verify your refund status directly with the IRS. Then document all your attempts to contact the preparer. If you confirm the refund was issued and the preparer has it, send a formal demand letter via certified mail before taking any other steps. This creates a paper trail that will be crucial if you need to escalate to legal action or file complaints with regulatory agencies. While you should absolutely report fraud, making sure you have solid evidence first will protect you from potential counteractions.

I filed on February 3rd and had exactly this situation. No transcript updates for 27 days. WMR stuck on processing. Called on day 28 and was told my return was selected for a random review. Transcript finally appeared on day 32 with a 570 hold code dated March 25th and a 971 notice code dated April 1st. Received my refund exactly 42 days after filing. The letter arrived 3 days after my deposit. It was just explaining they reviewed my return and made no changes.

This happens every year to a percentage of filers, and it's actually less stressful than when you see error codes on your transcript. When comparing to returns with actual problems, the "no transcript available" situation almost always resolves itself without requiring any action from you. Last year my husband's return had this exact pattern while mine processed normally. His took 5 weeks longer but processed automatically with no intervention needed. The system is just overloaded this time of year, especially compared to late-season filers who often see processing in under 2 weeks.

I finally got my refund yesterday after a similar timeline! Filed on 2/13, accepted 2/14, had to verify my identity on 2/28, and my transcript didn't update until 3/30. Then I got my direct deposit on 4/1. It seems like the system is just really backed up this year, but things are moving, even if slowly. I was so worried something had gone wrong, but it all worked out eventually. Hang in there!

Be careful about relying too much on transcript updates. Last year my transcript never updated properly, yet my refund suddenly appeared in my bank account. The IRS systems are like an iceberg - what you can see online is just the tip, while all the actual processing happens beneath the surface. I called the IRS after waiting 8 weeks (it was like trying to get concert tickets for a popular band), and they told me there was a system glitch affecting the transcript display for certain returns. Not saying that's happening to you, but just because you don't see updates doesn't necessarily mean nothing is happening.