Isn't it interesting how the IRS can instantly accept our returns but then can't show us where they are in the process? One would think that in 2024, with all our technological advances, a simple tracking system wouldn't be too much to ask for. The collective wisdom here seems to be patience, but shouldn't we expect better from a system we're all required to use? Many private companies offer real-time tracking for packages worth $20, yet we can't track our thousands in tax refunds without playing guessing games.

Just to clarify - are you checking the Account Transcript or the Return Transcript? They're different. Account Transcript shows all activity including refund info. Return Transcript just shows what you filed. Also make sure you're selecting 2024 and not 2023 tax year when requesting it.

Have you checked if you opted for a refund transfer product when you filed? Unlike direct deposits from the IRS which typically post immediately at most banks, SBTG transactions often take 1-2 days longer because they're coming from a third-party processor rather than directly from Treasury. My credit union processes Treasury deposits immediately but holds SBTG transfers for a full business day, while my previous bank (Chase) would sometimes take up to 3 days.

Back in 2022, I had a similar experience and panicked unnecessarily. I've since learned that SBTG (Santa Barbara Tax Group) processes refunds for many tax preparation services. When I see questions like this now, I always recommend: 1) Check if you paid for tax preparation with your refund, as this routes your refund through SBTG, 2) Allow 1-2 business days after seeing the trace number, and 3) Contact your bank rather than the IRS if you're concerned, as they can see pending deposits. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's helpful to know this is a common occurrence!

Think of withholding like making payments on a fixed-price car throughout the year. Whether you pay $100 every month or $1200 all at once in December, the car still costs $1200. Your tax liability is like that fixed price - it's calculated based on your income, filing status, credits, etc. The timing of when you pay doesn't change the final amount due. What likely happened is that other factors in your tax situation changed between years (maybe different deductions, credits, or slightly different income) that offset any difference from your withholding pattern.

I had this same situation when I switched jobs mid-year. At my old job, I had minimal withholding, and at my new job, I had much higher withholding. But my refund was almost identical to the previous year. When I compared my returns side by side, I noticed my total tax liability was almost the same both years, so the refund was similar too. It's like comparing two different routes to the same destination - you still end up in the same place regardless of how you got there. You need to check this ASAP though since tax season is wrapping up and you want to make any withholding adjustments for this year before too much of 2024 passes!

If you want to understand exactly what happened with your refund processing, you might want to check out taxr.ai - it analyzes your transcript and explains all those confusing codes. I used it this year and it showed me exactly why my refund was delayed (had a simple math error they fixed) and when it would be deposited. The prediction was spot on!

Pro tip: once your refund hits GreenDot, transfer it immediately to your regular bank account if you have one. Their cards can sometimes have random holds or verification issues if you try to make large purchases.

Last year when I had to verify my identity, I was told it would take up to 9 weeks, but my refund actually came through in about 5 weeks. What I found helpful was creating an online account with the IRS if you haven't already done so. This lets you check your account transcript which will show any updates before they appear on WMR. I remember feeling exactly how you probably feel now - checking every day and seeing no progress. It's definitely nerve-wracking, but in my experience, once the verification is complete, things move pretty quickly after that. Just remember that the IRS is still catching up from previous years' backlogs, so patience is key right now.

I feel obligated to mention a cautionary note regarding verification timelines. Per Internal Revenue Manual 21.9.1.3, identity verification should be processed within 9 weeks, but I've observed numerous cases where this timeline was exceeded without notification to the taxpayer. In one particularly concerning case from last tax season, a client submitted verification on February 3rd and received no updates until May 27th - nearly 16 weeks later. The IRS cited "exceptional processing circumstances" but provided no further explanation. According to Taxpayer Advocate Service Report 2023-1, approximately 18% of verification cases exceed standard processing times. I strongly recommend documenting all verification submission dates and following up proactively if the 9-week mark passes without resolution.