According to the IRS website (specifically Publication 2194, Disaster Resource Guide), disaster freezes are part of their relief efforts for affected taxpayers. The IRS.gov disaster relief page lists all current qualifying disasters by state and county. You should definitely check if your area is listed there. If you're not in a disaster area, they can remove the freeze immediately, but you need to speak with someone in the right department who has the authority to do so.

After you get this resolved, make sure to request an account transcript about 2 weeks later. You want to confirm the freeze was actually removed, right? Sometimes these disaster codes don't get properly cleared from the system. If you see any 570 or 971 codes still on your transcript after they said they'd remove the freeze, you'll need to call back. Wouldn't you rather check than have to deal with unexpected delays later?

I've been through this multiple times with clients I help with taxes. Here's what typically happens: • IRS has major backlogs despite what they claim publicly • "Still processing" usually means your return is in a queue • Many returns get randomly selected for review • The IRS rarely communicates about delays until they're required to I'm skeptical of people who say there's a quick fix. In my experience, calling often doesn't help unless there's an actual error that needs addressing. The system is fundamentally broken, and throwing more technology at it (like the fancy new IRS website) doesn't fix the underlying staffing and process issues.

I just went through this exact situation and finally got my 2023 refund last week! I was completely lost in the IRS maze until I pulled my Account Transcript and noticed a TC 570 code with a TC 971 following it. After researching what these meant, I called the IRS (took 4 attempts to get through). Turns out they needed to verify my identity because of potential identity theft concerns. Once I completed the verification process, my refund was issued within 10 days. Don't give up! Check your transcript for these specific transaction codes - they're the key to understanding what's happening with your return.

You need to get in touch with your state's child support enforcement agency immediately. The IRS is just following their directive. Your husband should have received a pre-offset notice warning this might happen. If your custody situation changed, the state agency needs to update their records and notify the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. Don't wait for this to resolve itself - it won't. The system assumes the debt is valid until proven otherwise. Get documentation of your custody arrangement and be prepared to file a formal dispute.

I work with tax cases regularly, and this appears to be a Bureau of Fiscal Service TOP (Treasury Offset Program) intercept based on outdated OCSE (Office of Child Support Enforcement) data. The 846 code with a subsequent offset notification indicates the refund was approved but then intercepted during the disbursement phase. I understand how frustrating this is when you have custody. The system is designed to catch legitimate child support debts but doesn't automatically update when custody changes. Your husband's CS obligation should have been terminated or modified when custody changed, but that requires a specific court action and system update. I'd recommend calling both your state's child support enforcement agency and the TOP hotline (800-304-3107) to identify exactly which agency placed the hold and the process for contesting it.

After my amended return was stuck for weeks, I tried calling the IRS directly. Here's what I did: Step 1: Called the regular IRS number and waited 2+ hours before being disconnected Step 2: Tried again the next day, same result Step 3: Used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which got me through to an actual agent in about 25 minutes Step 4: The agent confirmed my deposit was scheduled for processing but explained there's often a 24-48 hour delay between the DDD and when banks post funds So frustrating that we can't just get straight answers from the IRS website! But at least the agent was able to confirm everything was on track.

I believe most banks might be processing these deposits today or tomorrow. I'm waiting on mine too... seems like there might be a slight delay with this batch. From what I understand, the IRS sometimes sends these in groups, and financial institutions process them according to their own schedules. Maybe we should all update here when ours hit so we can see if there's a pattern?

Identity verification procedures are part of the IRS's Return Review Program (RRP) that screens for potential identity theft. During peak season, approximately 1.5% of returns get flagged for manual verification. When calling, you'll need to authenticate through Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) questions derived from your tax history and credit profile. The CP01H letter typically indicates this verification requirement. Most verifications are completed within one business day of speaking with an agent, with refund processing resuming immediately thereafter.

Have you tried scheduling an appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center instead of calling? Sometimes the in-person verification is faster and less frustrating than phone verification. You'd need to bring the same documents, but you wouldn't have to deal with hold times.