


Ask the community...
This happened to me with both my 2022 and 2023 returns. The IRS has completely separate processing systems for different payment types. In my case, I tracked both payment streams using the Account transcript (shows the CTC payment) and the Return transcript (shows refund status). Here's what I found: the CTC payments are automatically generated based on your previous year's return data, while your current refund goes through multiple verification stages including fraud detection, math verification, and sometimes manual review. My CTC hit 12 days before my refund last year and 9 days before my refund this year.
Got same thing last month. CTC came first. Refund came 8 days later. Different systems. Different timelines. Nothing wrong with your return. Just wait.
According to IRS Publication 1345 (Rev. 1-2023), the disparate payment systems are a result of the legislative framework that established the Advanced Child Tax Credit program. Did you receive any correspondence from the IRS prior to receiving your payment, such as Letter 6419 confirming eligibility?
There's actually an important distinction between e-file acceptance and return processing that many people don't realize. When you get that acceptance notification, have you considered what it actually means? It's just confirming your return passed basic validation checks and was successfully transmitted. But that doesn't mean processing has started yet. The IRS processes returns in batches, and yours is likely waiting in queue. But here's the important part - the transcript system only updates when actual processing begins. So the gap between acceptance and transcript updating can be anywhere from 2-6 weeks during peak season. Did you claim any credits that might put you in the PATH Act delay category? That could extend your waiting time even further.
Is there any way to know which batch my return is in? Or any way to estimate when it might start processing?
Be careful with this situation! I had the same thing happen last year and it turned out my return was REJECTED but my tax software didn't notify me! The acceptance was just for the submission, not the actual return. I waited 2 months thinking everything was fine before I finally got through to an IRS agent who told me they never actually received my return for processing! I had to refile and it delayed my refund by 3 months. Step 1: Double check with your tax software that there weren't any rejection notices you missed. Step 2: Verify your e-file status with the IRS directly. Step 3: Don't assume everything is fine just because you got an initial acceptance message.
How did you finally confirm with the IRS that they hadn't received it? Was it just by calling, or is there another way to verify?
Has anyone had experience with Pathways Bank's business accounts versus personal accounts? Do they process deposits differently? I'm wondering if having a business account might delay things or if they prioritize one type over another?
Word of caution: Pathways had a system glitch last tax season that was showing phantom pending deposits. Think of it like a mirage in the desert - you see water but it's not really there. Several customers (myself included) saw pending IRS deposits that later disappeared. The bank explained that their system was incorrectly flagging certain ACH identifier codes. If you see a pending deposit appear and then vanish, don't panic - call the bank directly and have them verify with their back-office processing department.
You're definitely not alone! I was in the exact same boat - it was like being stuck in tax purgatory. My return was like a letter dropped into a black hole - confirmation it was mailed but no idea where it went after that. Filed Jan 25, accepted Feb 14, and nothing but crickets until March 18. The transcript situation is actually a good sign - it's like the IRS computer system knows you exist but hasn't fully processed your paperwork yet. Mine suddenly updated all at once after about 5 weeks.
Just to clarify - being able to order previous years while current year shows N/A is completely normal during processing. The systems that handle transcript display vs. actual processing are separate.
Based on what I've seen in this community over the past few months, your situation follows a common pattern this tax season. Many filers from late January are experiencing extended processing times. Several factors might be influencing this: 1. The IRS implemented new verification protocols for 2023 returns 2. Returns with certain credits are taking longer to process 3. The transcript system updates separately from the WMR tool Most people in your situation are seeing movement around the 35-45 day mark. The inability to view current year transcripts while being able to access previous years is actually a normal part of the process - it indicates your return is in the system but hasn't completed initial verification yet.
Is there any pattern to which processing centers are moving faster? I know my return went to the Austin center based on my state.
What's the latest you've seen someone wait before they should take additional action like calling or submitting a taxpayer advocate request?
Liam Cortez
Have you checked your tax transcript instead of just WMR? Many people don't realize that transcripts update more frequently and with more detailed information than WMR ever provides. Here's what might be happening: 1. Your return could be in the verification queue, which doesn't trigger WMR updates 2. There might be a minor discrepancy that's being fixed automatically 3. The IRS could be experiencing database synchronization issues between their systems I'd recommend checking your account transcript every Tuesday and Friday morning (when the IRS typically updates their systems). If you see cycle codes ending in 05, you're on a weekly update schedule. If they end in 01-04, you're on a daily update schedule. That alone can tell you when to expect movement.
0 coins
Savannah Vin
ā¢THANK YOU for explaining the cycle codes! I've been so confused about why some people get updates different days than others! This makes so much more sense now and gives me something to actually look for instead of just checking randomly and hoping. Really appreciate you taking the time to break this down!
0 coins
Mason Stone
WMR is notoriously unreliable. It doesn't update consistently. Many returns are processed without WMR changes. Mine updated only after deposit. Check your bank account daily. That's more reliable. IRS is processing 2/20-2/25 filers now. You're probably in that batch. The system is overloaded. Delays are normal. Don't panic yet.
0 coins
Christian Bierman
ā¢Have you checked your Account Transcript for TC 570/971 combination codes? These specifically indicate a hold on your refund that wouldn't show on WMR. TC 570 indicates a temporary freeze while TC 971 typically indicates a notice being generated. If you see these followed by TC 571, that means the hold was released.
0 coins
Emma Olsen
ā¢I'm wondering if perhaps the OP might have any credits on their return? Sometimes, returns with certain credits like the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit might possibly be subject to additional verification, which could potentially explain the delay, I believe.
0 coins