Your return is likely undergoing a Two-Factor Authentication (TFA) process that's separate from the IP PIN verification. The IRS implemented enhanced verification protocols in 2023 that can trigger multi-layered authentication requirements, especially for returns with international components. I recommend monitoring your transcript daily for Transaction Code 971, which indicates correspondence has been issued. Don't attempt preemptive verification through ID.me or the IRS identity verification service until specifically instructed, as this can further complicate processing.

I went through this exact nightmare scenario last month! Filed February 12th with my IP PIN, got the verification message on my transcript February 20th, and then nothing happened for weeks. Finally got letter 5071C on March 8th asking me to verify online. Completed that the same day, and my refund was approved exactly 9 days later. If you're on a tight timeline like I was (needed my refund for a medical procedure), just keep checking your mail daily. The frustrating part is you can't proactively verify - you have to wait for their specific instructions.

Is your son's tax situation straightforward, or does he have any complicating factors? It's kind of like baking a cake - a simple vanilla cake (standard W-2 return) comes out of the oven faster than a complex layer cake with multiple ingredients (multiple income sources, credits, etc). Sometimes those extra ingredients can add days or even weeks to the processing time, even after verification.

I would say that, based on my somewhat extensive experience with post-verification processing, your son will likely see movement within approximately 10-14 days, assuming there are no additional complications. My most recent experience, which occurred in early March of this filing season, resulted in a refund exactly 12 days after verification was completed. It seems that the IRS has possibly improved their post-verification workflow this year, as previous years often took closer to the full 21 days that they typically quote as the maximum timeframe.

Have you considered that the verification might be related to something specific on your return? Sometimes it's not random but triggered by certain entries. In my case, it was because my address changed AND I claimed a tax credit I hadn't claimed before. The frustrating thing is that they don't tell you why you need verification, right? Just that you need it? Something else to try: check if your state tax agency has a reciprocal verification process with the IRS. In some states, if you verify your identity with the state tax authority, it can satisfy the federal requirement too. Might be worth looking into while you're waiting to get through on the phone.

According to IRS Procedural Regulation 201-08-15, taxpayers facing verification barriers have alternative options that many IRS representatives won't voluntarily disclose. You can request a Taxpayer Advocate Service Form 911 (Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order) if the verification delay is causing financial hardship - which it sounds like it is with your mother's medication needs. Additionally, you can contact your Congressional Representative's office. Each has staff dedicated to helping constituents with federal agency issues, including IRS problems. I've seen cases where a Congressional inquiry resolved verification issues within 48-72 hours when other methods failed. It's frustrating that we have to go to these lengths, but these are legitimate channels specifically established for situations like yours.

Back in 2021, I had a similar situation with a processing delay. What worked for me then (and might work now) was contacting my local Taxpayer Advocate Service office. They have more direct channels to research these systemic issues than regular IRS phone reps. In my case, they were able to identify that my return was stuck in a processing queue and needed manual intervention to move forward. If you're approaching the 60-day mark with no movement, I'd recommend giving them a call.

Is anyone seeing their tax transcript update and then go back to N/A again? Mine briefly showed some codes last week, then disappeared completely. When I called, they said this could indicate my return was pulled for additional review. Has anyone experienced this happening? Does it mean I'm going to be waiting even longer? I'm really worried because the last time this happened to my brother, he ended up waiting until August to get his refund.

I used Claimyr last month and it worked great! Got through to someone in about 15 minutes after trying for days on my own. The agent told me my amendment was in the system but would take another 3 months to process. At least I knew what was happening instead of wondering if my forms disappeared into thin air.

I just went through this whole process and can share my timeline: 1. E-filed amendment: Jan 12, 2024 2. Confirmation of receipt: Jan 14, 2024 3. WMAR tool showed "received": Feb 1, 2024 4. Status changed to "adjusted": April 2, 2024 5. Refund issued: April 9, 2024 So almost exactly 3 months from start to finish. The key was checking the Where's My Amended Return tool weekly instead of daily. The processing seemed to happen in bursts rather than continuously.