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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.
Did your brother get any kind of notice about this process? I'm wondering if the IRS sends an official explanation or if you're just supposed to figure it out from the transcript codes.
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?
I went through this exact verification process last filing season. The in-person verification using Form 14039 protocol is actually much faster for refund release than the telephone verification pathway. My timeline: verification appointment completed on March 14, transcript updated with TC 971 verification code on March 17, and refund issued with TC 846 on March 24. The in-person option has a direct verification input to the Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) unit.
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.
Just to clarify one point - while bringing extra documentation is helpful, the IRS Publication 4491 specifically requires only two primary forms of ID (government photo ID and Social Security card) plus the tax return in question. The additional documents are supplementary and may expedite the process, but aren't strictly required by regulation.
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 filed on January 31st and had the same experience - 43 days of silence, then suddenly got my refund on March 14th without any explanation or prior updates to WMR.
Had a similar situation last year. Was waiting for weeks with no updates, then suddenly got a deposit with no warning. This year I'm still waiting after filing in early February. Really need this money for some medical bills that are piling up.
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.
Mia Rodriguez
I'm so glad you got your DDD (direct deposit date) with that 846 code! Just so you know, the 810 Freeze Code is often applied to returns with significant changes in income reporting from prior years, which is common for gig workers with variable income. The IRS typically releases these holds within 60-90 days even without intervention, but your proactive approach clearly expedited the process. The cycle between resolution and actual deposit is typically 5-7 business days, so your funds should arrive soon.
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Jacob Lewis
Just to be clear - you called the Examination Department directly? Not the general IRS number? I've been trying the main line for weeks with no luck. My return's been frozen since early March and I'm getting desperate. Did you use a specific extension or ask for a particular department when you called?
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