When I couldn't reach the IRS for 3 weeks about my paper return, I used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com). They got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 30 minutes when I'd been trying for days with no luck. The agent confirmed they had my return but it was in the backlog. At least I got peace of mind knowing it wasn't lost in the mail.

Paper returns are a disaster this year. My mom mailed hers in February and it only just processed last week. E-file is the only way to go now unless you absolutely have to paper file for some reason.

Did you receive any letters in the mail between February 14th and today? I'm asking because I'm in a similar situation with verification on February 17th, then 570/971 codes appearing on March 12th, but haven't received any physical mail yet. Wondering if I should be looking for something specific.

Just FYI for everyone - the 846 date isn't always exactly when u get paid. Sometimes it's a day early, sometimes a day or two later. Depends on ur bank. If ur using a tax prep service that takes fees from ur refund, might take an extra day to process thru their bank first. Check WMR for the most accurate DD date. Congrats on getting thru the process!

Here's a little IRS phone hack that actually works (and no, it's not "call 4,000 times in a row" 😂). The trick is to select the option for "making a payment" when you call the main number. Those agents can't handle complex technical questions, but they CAN transfer you directly to the right department, bypassing the main queue. It's like finding the secret warp zone in Super Mario Bros, except instead of skipping to World 8, you skip to an actual human at the IRS! I've used this successfully three times this year.

Back in 2022, I had a similar issue with my non-resident tax filing. What I found is that the IRS has different service levels at different times of the year. Right now we're in peak season, so wait times are at their absolute worst. Last year I couldn't get through at all in April, but when I called in June, I was connected within 15 minutes. If your issue isn't urgent, sometimes the best strategy is simply waiting until after the April rush subsides. The difference in service quality and wait times is remarkable.

What you experienced is typical of the Automated Refund Notification System (ARNS) functionality during peak processing periods. The IRS transaction code 846 (refund issued) often updates in their internal Master File overnight, while the consumer-facing Where's My Refund application operates on a separate refresh cycle, typically 72 hours behind the actual refund authorization. I've seen numerous cases where direct deposits are initiated before WMR updates, especially when returns are processed through the Submission Processing Pipeline rather than requiring Examination function review. I'm glad you received your funds without complications!

This gives me hope! I'm on day 23 of waiting with the same message. Did your tax topic disappear at any point during the process? Did you claim any credits like EIC or Child Tax Credit? I keep hearing those can delay things. Also, did your transcript update before the deposit, or did the money just show up? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to figure out if my situation is normal or if I should be worried!

Have you checked if you have any offset indicators on your account? Sometimes refund delays happen because the Treasury Offset Program is reviewing your account for potential debt collection, even if you don't actually owe anything.

OMG this is exactly what happened to me!!! I was FREAKING OUT because I needed that money for rent! Filed Feb 10th and literally nothing happened for SIX WEEKS while everyone around me got their refunds. I called the IRS every single day and couldn't get through. Then suddenly on March 25th my transcript updated and I had my refund three days later. No explanation, no reason for the delay. It's so emotionally draining to just be left hanging like that when you're counting on that money! 😫