Are we really still expecting the IRS to follow their own timelines in 2024? Haven't we learned by now? The real question is whether your return has any complexity at all. Did you claim any credits? Have multiple W-2s? Any investment income? Self-employment? If your answer is yes to any of these, expect 4-6 weeks minimum. Simple returns with single W-2s and standard deduction are moving faster, but even those are inconsistent. Your transcript showing processing is actually a good sign, but means you're still likely 7-14 days out from deposit.

My refund came through yesterday. Filed on March 1st. Got accepted same day. Waited 27 days total. No special credits. Just basic W-2 income. WMR never updated properly. Transcript showed processing the whole time. Then money just appeared in my account. No warning. Check your bank account daily. Don't rely on WMR. It's often behind. Hope this helps.

Just went through this exact situation last month! My direct deposit got rejected because my bank account had a fraud lock (thanks to my attempt to buy concert tickets from a sketchy site... lesson learned 😅). Check took exactly 9 days to arrive after the 570/971 codes appeared. The day it was mailed, my transcript updated with code 846 and WMR finally changed to approved. Such a relief after checking those sites 20 times a day!

Many people don't realize there's a specific IRS refund schedule. Paper checks typically go out on Fridays. If your 7-day hold ends this week, watch for transcript update next Monday or Tuesday. I've tracked hundreds of these cases in tax forums. International accounts often trigger extra verification. Keep all notices they send - you'll need them if there are further issues.

Oh come ON with these service recommendations! Every thread has someone pushing some paid service! The IRS phone system is frustrating but if you call right when they open you CAN get through! I'm so tired of people acting like you HAVE to pay some third party just to talk to the government agency WE FUND with our tax dollars!!!

According to the IRS's own data (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue), they're still answering less than 35% of calls, with average wait times over 40 minutes for those who do get through. I've personally tried the "call right when they open" approach multiple times without success. Services like Claimyr use technology to navigate the phone tree and wait on hold so you don't have to - seems reasonable for people who value their time or have urgent issues.

Be prepared for a long wait. My cousin had this happen with her stepson two years ago, and it took almost 9 months to resolve. The ex-wife had claimed him despite not having seen him in over a year. The worst part was that my cousin's refund was held up the entire time - over $5,000 with the Child Tax Credit. She ended up having to take out a loan to cover expenses she had been counting on that refund for. Make sure your sister has a financial backup plan while this gets sorted.

This is a classic IRC Section 152(e) conflict scenario. The resolution pathway depends on several factors: 1. If there's a Form 8332 signed by the custodial parent (which seems unlikely given your description) 2. If there's a pre-2009 divorce instrument specifically allocating the exemption 3. The application of the tiebreaker rules in absence of the above In your case, the tiebreaker rules would likely apply, with residency being the primary factor (where the child lived for the majority of nights during the tax year). Your sister should complete Form 8862 (Information To Claim Certain Credits After Disallowance) along with her paper return and include substantial documentation proving residence and support.

Have you considered setting up Informed Delivery through USPS? It gives you daily scans of mail that's about to be delivered to your address. I've been using it to monitor for IRS correspondence without having to physically check my mailbox every day. It's free and at least gives you a heads-up when something from the Treasury Department is coming. Are you waiting for a specific type of letter or just general confirmation?

Not to add more anxiety to your plate, but sometimes the IRS doesn't send any correspondence at all if everything is proceeding normally! 😅 I filed in February and received my refund without ever getting a letter. Then three weeks later, I randomly got a letter confirming my filing was accepted. The IRS works in mysterious ways... like that one ex who texts you back weeks after you've moved on. If you really need confirmation, you can request a Record of Account transcript which shows all actions taken on your account.