I'm not sure if this helps, but I think the tax topics might be related to different stages of processing? I had no tax topic for about two weeks after filing, then suddenly it showed Tax Topic 152, and my refund came three days later. Maybe it's just that your return hasn't been assigned to that specific processing stage yet? I'd probably give it another week before getting too concerned.

Be careful about assuming no tax topic means everything is fine! I had this exact situation last year and ended up with: • Return stuck in processing for 11 weeks • Had to call IRS multiple times • Eventually found out I had an ID verification hold • No notification was ever sent The IRS system doesn't always notify you of issues. If you're past 21 days with no movement, call them immediately. Don't wait like I did.

This is like being stuck in tax purgatory - not your fault but you're the one who has to fix it. I was in a similar boat last year when my uncle's "tax guy" filed for me without my final approval. What I learned is that the verification process is like a locked door, but you can still get an amended return through a different door once you have the key (your transcript). The IRS won't just throw out your whole tax situation because of this preparer problem - they actually have processes for this exact scenario.

Last April, my neighbor's "tax lady" did this exact thing to me. Filed without my approval, then ghosted me when verification notices came. I called the IRS verification line at 800-830-5084, explained the situation, and asked for a 45-day extension on the verification deadline. They granted it, which gave me time to get my W-2s and 1099s from my employers directly. I then went to a legitimate tax professional who helped me respond to the verification AND file an amended return simultaneously. The verification actually cleared first, then the amendment processed about 8 weeks later. Refund was delayed but I did get it eventually.

I don't think this advice about "just wait" is helpful. The PATH Act is frustrating enough without vague timelines. • The IRS is REQUIRED to hold refunds with certain credits until Feb 15 • They often take additional time after that date for "processing" • Many returns with PATH messages have NO issues but still get delayed • Some returns DO have issues but you won't know without checking transcripts • The WMR tool is notoriously unhelpful during this period If you filed 1/30, you should have at least seen transcript updates by now.

According to the official IRS refund timeline at IRS.gov/refunds, most tax returns are processed within 21 days. The PATH Act creates an exception for returns with certain credits, but they should still be actively processing your return. The IRS's "Where's My Refund" tool isn't always accurate during the PATH delay period - that's just how their system works. I've had returns with the PATH message that processed without any issues after the holding period ended.

I'm always very careful about interpreting cycle codes, as they can sometimes be a bit misleading... The code 20250705 would indicate that your return was processed on Thursday (05) of the 7th week (07) of the fiscal year 2025. I would suggest, if possible, checking if there are any other codes on your transcript that might provide additional context. Sometimes a cycle code appears but there might be other hold codes like 570 or 971 that could potentially delay your refund. In my experience, if this cycle code appears without any hold codes, you might possibly receive your refund within approximately 5-10 business days from the Thursday indicated. Though I should mention that this isn't always guaranteed, especially during peak filing season when the IRS systems might be experiencing higher than normal processing volumes.

Wow, these cycle codes are way more complex than I expected compared to other financial systems I've dealt with! I was surprised when I first learned about them too. Looking at your 20250705 code: - 2025 = Processing year (not necessarily the tax year you're filing for) - 07 = 7th week of the processing calendar - 05 = 5th day of the processing week (Thursday) The IRS uses a weird weekly processing schedule where each week ends on a Thursday, not a Sunday like normal calendars. So your return was processed on Thursday of the 7th cycle week. For comparison, my cycle code last year was 20240905 and I received my refund exactly 6 days later. But my sister had 20240805 and waited nearly 2 weeks. So there's still some variability even with the same type of code pattern.

I was in your exact situation last year! I followed these steps to break free from TurboTax: 1. First, I went to the official IRS Free File page (not through Google, which often leads to ads) 2. I checked which options were available for my income level 3. I chose FreeTaxUSA after researching reviews 4. I gathered all my tax documents before starting 5. I created an account and followed their step-by-step process 6. I filed my federal return completely free 7. I paid only $14.99 for my state return 8. I received my refund directly from the Treasury, not through SBTPG The interface wasn't as polished as TurboTax, but it worked perfectly and saved me $185! I was a bit worried about switching after using TurboTax for 7 years, but it was actually easier than I expected.

Has anyone here tried the IRS Direct File pilot program that launched on January 29, 2024? I'm curious if they're planning to expand it beyond the initial 12 states for the 2025 filing season. Also wondering about Cash App Taxes - I've heard it's completely free for both federal and state, but I'm hesitant to trust a financial app with my tax information. Anyone have experience with their security practices?

I'm currently on day 22 of waiting after verification. My transcript shows code 971 dated 02/22/2024 and code 570 dated 02/29/2024. I received my verification letter exactly 11 days after filing. Completed verification online immediately. WMR still shows "being processed" with no bars. Anyone know exactly how many more days until I might see movement?

You might want to consider requesting a Taxpayer Advocate if this drags on past 21 days from verification. Call 877-777-4778 to request TAS assistance. They can often expedite cases where there's financial hardship or when normal IRS channels aren't resolving the issue. Document everything - dates of filing, rejection codes, when you received notifications, etc. This creates a clear timeline if you need to escalate. The verification process should be completed within 9 weeks of filing according to current IRS guidelines.

The community wisdom on this is pretty consistent - the IRS transcript system is probably the most frustrating part of their website, which is saying something. From what I've gathered from hundreds of posts here, it seems like about 30% of people have this address validation issue at some point. Most of the time, it's resolved by either: 1. Using the exact address format from your last successfully processed return, or 2. Waiting 2-3 business days and trying again (sometimes their system updates overnight) It's also worth noting that, generally speaking, the transcript system tends to be more reliable during off-peak hours - maybe try late evening or early morning if possible?

OMG I literally just fixed this exact problem yesterday! I was SO frustrated!! 😤 What worked for me was completely counterintuitive - I had to enter my address in ALL CAPS exactly as it appeared on my last paper mail from the IRS (not how I entered it on my return). For some reason, their system treated "123 Main St Apt 4" and "123 MAIN ST APT 4" as completely different addresses. I was ready to throw my computer out the window after the fifth try, but the all-caps version finally worked. Check any physical mail you've received from them and copy the address format exactly!

I'm a bit worried that I might have made the same mistake... I just filed through TurboTax last week and I think I may have clicked on this option without fully understanding what it was. I'm not entirely sure, but I believe it said something about getting my refund faster if I paid extra? Should I be concerned that this might delay my actual refund? I'm really counting on getting it as soon as possible.

OMG this exact thing happened to me last yr! TT charged me $25 for "5 days early" but my refund came ON THE EXACT SAME DAY the IRS said it would. Total waste of $$. Called cust svc and they gave me the runaround about "processing times" and "up to 5 days" language. Basically impossible to get refunded. FWIW I filed w/ FreeTaxUSA this yr and got my refund in 8 days w/ no extra fees. TT is getting worse every yr imho.

I'm so tired of the IRS and their mysterious cycle codes! 😡 The whole system is deliberately confusing. Technically speaking, cycle code 0605 means your account is processed on the 5th day of the week (Wednesday) in the 2024 processing year. BUT that doesn't mean your transcript updates that day. You should be checking your transcript Thursday mornings (after midnight Wednesday) and your WMR Saturday mornings. The disconnect between different IRS systems is why everyone gets confused.

Tax professional here. Cycle codes are interesting but not as predictive as people think. Last year I tracked 50+ clients' cycle codes and actual deposit dates, and found only about 60% correlation between cycle day and when updates actually appeared. For 2024 returns, I'm seeing 26-32 days as the average processing time for straightforward returns. My client who filed 2/22 with cycle 0605 just got their DDD yesterday. The IRS is working through a backlog from February, so I'd expect your update within the next 7-10 days based on current patterns.

Have you noticed if this pattern applies to all types of returns, or is it more common with certain tax situations? For example, does it seem to affect W-2 only filers differently than those with self-employment income? What about returns with dependents versus those without? I'm wondering if we can narrow down exactly what combination of factors makes early filing more likely to trigger verification. This could be incredibly helpful for everyone planning their filing strategy for next year.

I've tracked my filing dates and refund timelines for exactly 7 years now. January filings averaged 42 days to receive refund. February filings averaged 19 days. Last 3 years I've filed between February 7-12 and received refunds within 21 days consistently. The data supports your theory. 63% of early filers in my tax group reported verification letters vs only 17% of February filers. Thank you for sharing this insight!