PATH status indicates your return has entered the mandatory holding period, but approval isn't guaranteed at this stage. There are typically three possible outcomes: (1) automatic approval after the holding period ends, (2) selection for additional review during the holding period, or (3) identification of discrepancies requiring manual verification. Most returns in category 1 see refunds within 7-10 days after February 15th, while categories 2-3 may experience delays of 30-120 days depending on complexity.

Remember when we all worried about PATH delays? I was stressing just like you last year! My transcript showed PATH status on February 5th, and I got my refund direct deposited on February 22nd without any additional reviews. Isn't it interesting how the IRS created this whole system just to prevent fraud? For me, PATH status did indeed mean approval - just with a mandatory waiting period. Hope yours follows the same smooth path!

Try calling early. Really early. Like 7:01 AM. Local offices open at 8:30. But phone lines open earlier. I got through immediately. No waiting. Asked about my zero transcript. They saw a verification hold. Sent me a letter that day. Verified my identity online. Transcript updated three days later. Refund a week after that. Patience helps. But being proactive works better.

I might be able to offer some hope here... I was in a similar situation with my return filed on February 3rd. No movement for nearly 8 weeks, then suddenly everything updated at once. I was hesitant to call at first, thinking it wouldn't make a difference. When I finally did reach someone, they explained my return was selected for a random review - nothing I did wrong. The representative actually expedited the process once I explained our situation. Three days later, my transcript updated and my refund was deposited the following week. Sometimes just having someone actually look at your return can move it out of whatever digital limbo it's stuck in.

Here's how to check your actual status: Step 1: Go to IRS.gov and access your tax transcript Step 2: Look for the account transcript for 2023 Step 3: Check for transaction codes like 570 (refund hold) or 971 (notice issued) Step 4: Look for code 846 which means refund issued If you see code 570 without 846, your refund is on hold. If you see 971, expect a letter. If you see 846, it shows the direct deposit date.

Has anyone from the 2/15 group received a 60-day review letter? I just got one yesterday and I'm freaking out because I need this money. The letter doesn't even explain what they're reviewing!

Have you tried calling the IRS directly? Of course you have, and we all know how that goes... endless wait times and disconnections, right? I was in the same boat last month and finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to get through to an actual human at the IRS. They confirmed my refund was actually sent to the wrong account (transposed digits) and helped me start the trace process immediately. Would have taken me weeks to figure that out on my own. Worth every penny to not waste hours on hold.

I believe it might be worth checking if you're affected by the PATH Act, which can delay refunds that include certain credits. Also, if this is your first time filing in the US, sometimes there are additional verification steps that can cause delays, especially for international bank accounts. You might want to check if your bank has any policies regarding international tax refunds or government deposits... some banks have special procedures for handling these types of transactions for new residents.

Have you called the IRS directly about this? They can tell you exactly what will happen with your refund. Ask specifically about the remaining balance and whether the 846 amount will be adjusted. Request they check if the state payment has been fully applied to your account.

On April 12th last year, I had an identical situation with almost the same amounts. My transcript showed code 846 for the full refund amount ($3,200), but when the deposit date of April 19th arrived, they had reduced it by my remaining balance ($750). The IRS systems don't always talk to each other in real-time, so what you're seeing on your transcript today might not reflect what will actually happen when they process the final payment.