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Be very careful with this situation! I ignored a similar discrepancy last year thinking it would resolve itself, and ended up with a major headache. According to IRC Β§152(e), the custodial parent (where children live more than half the year) is entitled to claim the children unless there's a written declaration transferring the claim. If your divorce decree specifically addresses who claims the children for tax purposes, you need to ensure the IRS has this information. When I waited instead of addressing it immediately, I ended up having my refund held for 11 weeks while the IRS conducted a dependent verification review. Document everything and contact them ASAP to avoid delays!
Have you verified that your ex hasn't already filed claiming the children? That's often the cause of these eligibility discrepancies after divorce. The letter system and portal use different verification methods, which creates these conflicts. How recently did you file your return? And did you include Form 8332 if you're not the custodial parent according to IRS definitions? Most community members find that calling the IRS directly is the only way to get a definitive answer on CTC eligibility conflicts, especially with recent divorce situations.
I've analyzed approximately 50 cases of post-verification processing patterns this season as part of a data collection project. The current verification backlog is causing significant delays compared to previous years. Technically speaking, the Identity Verification Program (IVP) follows this sequence: 1. Initial verification triggers Transaction Code (TC) 971 with Action Code (AC) 123 2. Successful verification generates Internal Processing Code (IPC) 0121-XX 3. System then removes the Refund Hold Indicator (RHI) via TC 571 4. Final processing occurs with Refund Release Authorization (RRA) and TC 846 The median processing time post-verification is currently 21 days, with a standard deviation of 8.4 days. Approximately 12% of cases experience extended delays of 45+ days due to Secondary Review Protocol (SRP) selection. I recommend documenting all verification confirmation numbers and checking transcripts weekly rather than daily.
This is incredibly detailed! Where are you getting this data from? Is there any way to know if you've been selected for this Secondary Review Protocol?
Been through this three times now. Different every year. Verification is faster now. Online is quicker than phone. Phone is quicker than in-person. Don't trust WMR. Transcripts tell the real story. Most people see movement within 3 weeks. Some wait 2 months. No rhyme or reason to it. Just how the IRS works. Keep all verification confirmation numbers. Take screenshots. Document everything. Makes life easier if you need to call.
Is there anything we can do when filing to reduce the chances of getting flagged for verification in the first place?
When you say "don't trust WMR" - do you mean it's inaccurate or just that it updates later than the transcript?
Be careful about checking too frequently. According to IRM 21.2.3-5, the IRS systems can temporarily lock you out if you check more than 5 times in 24 hours. I learned this the hard way last year when I got anxious about my refund and kept refreshing. Got locked out for 48 hours and missed the exact moment my transcript updated. What a relief when I could finally access it again and saw my refund was scheduled!
Wait srsly? They lock you out for checking YOUR OWN tax info too many times? SMH... how many times exactly is "too many"? Asking bc I've prob checked like 3x today already lol
I think I should note this down so I don't make the same mistake. So the steps to avoid lockout would be: 1) Limit transcript checks to once per day, 2) Try to check on Thursday night/Friday morning when updates are most likely, 3) Use the Get Transcript tool rather than Where's My Refund for more detailed information. Is that right?
Has anyone tracked exactly how many days it takes for a transcript to show after e-filing? My data from tracking 6 different tax years shows an average of 8.3 days from acceptance to first transcript appearance, with a standard deviation of 2.4 days. Just wondering if that's consistent with what others are seeing in 2024.
One tip our community doesn't share enough: the IRS has different phone numbers for different issues! It's like everyone's trying to go through the same door when there's actually a dozen entrances. π If you're dealing with: - Identity theft: 800-908-4490 - Tax forms: 800-829-3676 - Installment agreements: 800-829-1040 I've found that using the specific number cuts wait time by half. Also, don't forget to have a good book ready while you wait... War and Peace should be about the right length!
Has anyone tried the Taxpayer Advocate Service? I've heard mixed things abt their effectiveness lately. My CPA mentioned they're super backed up too, but might be worth a shot for complicated issues that reg IRS reps can't solve?
The Taxpayer Advocate Service can help, but they have specific criteria for accepting cases. They generally only take cases where: 1) You're experiencing significant hardship, 2) You've already tried normal IRS channels, or 3) There's a systemic issue affecting many taxpayers. They're not a faster way to get regular service, but they can help when you're truly stuck.
I'm so grateful for the TAS! They saved me last year when I had a refund stuck in processing for 9 months! I was about to lose my apartment because I was counting on that money. The advocate I worked with was amazing - she felt my pain and worked through all the red tape that regular agents couldn't handle. It took about 3 weeks from my first contact with them until my issue was resolved!
Ava Thompson
I'm surprised by how complex this gets with a new dependent! Has anyone received their refund who filed around February 5th with a new baby? I'm tracking exactly 42 returns this year in a spreadsheet (I know, I'm a data nerd), and I've noticed those with new dependents are taking precisely 38.5 days on average from acceptance to deposit date. Has the WMR bar disappeared completely or is it still on the first stage?
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Miguel Herrera
Based on current processing patterns, here's what's likely happening with your return: β’ Tax Topic 152 indicates normal processing with credits β’ CTC for new dependents triggers additional verification β’ Military returns often route through a specialized unit β’ Current processing time with these factors: 35-45 days β’ Expected transcript update: likely within the next 7-10 days Have you verified that your banking information is correct on the return? This is often overlooked but critical for timely direct deposits.
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