


Ask the community...
I'm so upset with TurboTax right now! I specifically chose them BECAUSE of this early refund promise. I have a mortgage payment coming due and was counting on that faster timeline. Now I'm learning it's basically just a loan that not everyone qualifies for? They really should make this clearer in their advertising! š” Has anyone successfully complained to them about this and gotten any kind of refund on their preparation fees?
For those who don't qualify for TurboTax's advance or don't want to pay for it, there are alternative approaches to potentially expedite your refund. E-filing with direct deposit remains the fastest method regardless of preparation service used. Ensure your return is error-free, as discrepancies trigger manual reviews that delay processing. Additionally, filing early in the season typically results in faster processing times due to lower volume in the IRS queue. For next year, consider using the IRS Free File program if your AGI is under $73,000 - you'll still get the same processing speed without the added costs.
Have you checked if there are any differences between the information requested in your letter verification versus what they're asking for online? Per Internal Revenue Manual 25.25.6, there are different levels of verification requirements depending on the potential risk factors identified with your return. Is it possible you completed a basic verification by phone but they're requesting additional verification through the online system?
The IRS verification system is like that friend who texts you asking where you are while you're sitting right next to them. š But seriously, the consensus among tax pros is that if you've verified by phone with a letter, you're generally good to go. The online notification is likely just system lag. Most people in your situation report getting their refunds processed normally despite the lingering notification. If you're really concerned, getting your transcript is the best way to confirm your actual status.
I think the safest approach might be to complete the online verification first, wait about a week, and then call to confirm it was properly received and processed. While some people don't need the follow-up call, many of us in this community have found that the call often speeds things up or resolves issues that would otherwise leave your refund in limbo. It's not ideal to spend time on the phone with the IRS, but it's probably worth it to avoid months of waiting and wondering.
Just to clarify - did your verification letter specifically mention ID.me for the online verification? And did it have a specific deadline for completing the verification? These details can actually indicate which verification pathway you're on and whether a follow-up call would be needed.
My letter from last year had a 30-day deadline and mentioned ID.me. I verified online within 3 days of receiving the letter. Still needed to call to get it fully processed though.
Did your letter specifically say it was a 5071C letter? That's important because different verification letters have different procedures. The 5071C is online verification only, while 5747C requires in-person verification at a TAC office.
Have you considered what happens after the verification call is complete? Many taxpayers assume their refund will process immediately, but there's actually a systematic approach the IRS follows: 1. Your verification status must be updated in the Centralized Authorization File (CAF) system 2. Then it moves to the Return Review Program (RRP) for fraud screening 3. Finally, it enters normal processing in the Integrated Enterprise Return Processing system Each step typically takes 5-7 business days, which is why you might not see movement right away. Wouldn't it be more efficient if the IRS simply told us this upfront? I've been incredibly impressed with how detailed the community information has been compared to official IRS communications. The verification call is essential - I tracked 15 cases in my tax preparation practice this season, and every single client who verified online still needed the follow-up call.
Compare this to what happened during the 2021 filing season - verification took 3-4 months for some people! At least now it's down to weeks instead of months. I had a client with a similar gig worker situation who verified on March 2nd, called on March 4th, and received their refund on March 22nd. Another client with nearly identical circumstances but who didn't make the follow-up call is still waiting after 7 weeks. Time is absolutely critical here - every day matters when you're approaching the tax deadline.
Did you find that taxpayers who used the same preparer or software had similar verification requirements? I'm wondering if certain preparation methods trigger these additional steps more frequently than others.
I was in this exact situation on February 17th. Online verification completed, then nothing happened for two weeks. Called on March 3rd after seeing a post like yours, and the agent confirmed I needed the phone verification despite completing everything online. My refund was finally deposited on March 15th - exactly 12 days after the call. Would have saved me a month of waiting if they'd just made this clear from the beginning! I was counting on that money for some car repairs and ended up having to put them on a credit card while waiting. Not everyone has the budget flexibility to handle these kinds of delays.
Levi Parker
Did you perhaps claim any credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit? Those usually take longer to process, especially if it's your first time claiming them. I'm sort of in the same situation but filed a bit later than you.
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Angelina Farar
ā¢No credits. Simple return. Just W-2 income. That's why I'm so confused. Nothing complicated. Should be easy to process. Yet here I am. Still waiting.
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Libby Hassan
I filed on February 16th, 2024 and was in the exact same situation until March 28th. My transcript suddenly updated overnight with a 570 code (temporary hold) dated April 1st, followed by a 571 code (hold released) on April 3rd, and finally an 846 code with a DDD of April 8th. The whole process took exactly 52 days from filing to refund. The transcript can update any day, but I've noticed Thursdays and Fridays are most common.
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