After IRS identity verification, will updates really take 2-3 weeks or up to 9 weeks to process my April tax return?

Tax professional here. The IRS estimate of "up to 9 weeks" is their standard protection timeframe, but most people see movement much sooner. Based on recent patterns I've observed with clients: - Many see transcript updates within 7-14 days after verification - WMR typically updates shortly after transcript changes - If your return was otherwise complete and accurate (no other issues requiring review), you're looking at potentially 2-3 weeks for processing - The cycle code on your transcript will indicate your processing day of the week Keep checking your transcript weekly rather than daily - that's where you'll see movement first. The "as of" date will change when they start actively processing again. Having your identity verified is a major hurdle cleared, so you're definitely moving forward now.

I spent WEEKS trying to decode my transcript after verification until I found taxr.ai - it actually explained everything that was happening with my return in simple english. Saved me so much headache trying to figure out what all those codes meant and when I might get my refund. The site gave me an actual timeline based on my specific situation rather than the generic "up to 9 weeks" the IRS tells everyone. Highly recommend it over trying to piece together random reddit posts! https://taxr.ai

After trying to get through to the IRS for WEEKS with no luck, I finally used claimyr.com and got a callback with an actual IRS agent within 2 hours. They were able to release my refund right on the spot after I verified some info with them. I was honestly shocked how fast it worked after spending so much time on hold with the regular IRS number. Talking to a real person got everything resolved in minutes instead of waiting 9 weeks. Best decision I made during this whole tax nightmare.

I verified my identity back in March and it took exactly 12 days to see movement on my transcript and then another 5 days to get my refund. So 17 days total for me. Don't panic about the 9 weeks thing - that's just the IRS covering themselves for worst case scenario.

When I verified last year it took about 3 weeks to see any movement, and then another week for the refund to hit my account. But my friend verified this year and got her refund in like 10 days total. I think it depends on how backed up they are and if u have any other issues with ur return.

what phone number did you call to verify? I need to do this too but can't get through to anyone

I waited 8 full weeks after verification last year 🤬 but I had other issues with my return too. I think simple returns go faster. Keep checking your transcript for an 846 code - that's when your refund is scheduled.

The IRS is a joke. "up to 9 weeks" 🤡 Why does it take so long to verify someone's identity and process a simple tax return in 2025? Any private company that operated this inefficiently would go out of business.

It took me exactly 18 days after verification to get my refund deposited. I verified on June 2nd and my money hit my account on June 20th. The WMR tool updated about 5 days before I actually got the money.

i went through this last month. took 22 days total from verification to refund. transcript updated after about 2 weeks with an 846 code, then refund showed up a week later. don't stress about the 9 weeks - that's their CYA timeframe.

taxr.ai helped me understand exactly what was happening with my return after verification. My transcript was confusing AF but the site broke everything down and gave me a timeline that was accurate to the day. Highly recommend it over the WMR tool which is basically useless.

Make sure there aren't any OTHER issues with your return besides just the identity verification. I verified but then got stuck for 3 more months because I had another issue they never told me about until I finally got through to a rep on the phone.

Just went thru this! Verified on May 5th, got my refund June 1st. So about 3.5 weeks total. Much better than the 9 weeks they threatened lol. Keep checking your transcript not WMR - look for cycle code 846 which means refund issued.

Anyone else think its ridiculous that we have to VERIFY who we are to get OUR OWN MONEY back from the government?? 🤦‍♂️ The same government that already has all our info. Make it make sense.

mine took 6 days after verification. verified on a tuesday, had a transcript update the next monday, money in my account friday. was shocked how fast it was cuz i was expecting the worst after reading about 9 weeks lmao

Try getting your transcript and learning to decode it - that's ur best bet for seeing progress. The "Where's My Refund" tool is basically useless and just shows the same status forever. Here's a tip: look for code 570 (refund hold) followed by 571 (hold released) followed by 846 (refund issued). That sequence means your money is on the way.

I went through identity verification about 6 weeks ago and can share my timeline. Verified online through ID.me on a Wednesday, saw my transcript update the following Tuesday (6 days), and had my refund deposited that Friday (10 days total). The key thing is to check your account transcript weekly, not daily - it typically updates once per week on your cycle day. Look for these codes in order: 570 (additional account action pending), then 571 (additional account action completed), then 846 (refund issued with a date). Don't stress about the 9-week timeframe - that's their worst-case scenario to cover all possible delays. Most people I know who verified recently got their refunds within 2-4 weeks. Since you filed in April and are just now getting verified, you're actually in a good position timing-wise compared to early filers who got stuck in verification limbo during peak season. The IP PIN they mentioned is definitely worth setting up once this is all resolved - it'll prevent this identity verification headache in future years.

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Just completed my ID verification through ID.me yesterday after being stuck since I filed in May. Got the same "Verification is Complete" screen with the 9-week warning that had me panicking. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - seems like most people are getting their refunds way faster than that worst-case timeline. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about checking my transcript weekly instead of obsessing over WMR. Already pulled it up and I can see the 570 code that Emma mentioned, so hopefully I'll see that 571 and then 846 sequence soon. The fact that later filers seem to be moving through faster gives me hope too. Thanks for posting this question @AstroAce - exactly what I needed to see today! Hopefully we'll both have good news in the next few weeks instead of waiting the full 9 weeks they quoted us.

Just went through this exact process 3 weeks ago! Filed in April, got the identity verification letter in late January, and completed the ID.me verification process. I was terrified about the 9-week timeline too, but it ended up being much faster. Here's my timeline: - Verified identity on a Monday - Transcript updated the following Friday (4 days) with code 571 - Code 846 appeared the next Tuesday (10 days total) - Refund hit my bank account that Thursday (12 days from verification) The biggest thing that helped my anxiety was understanding that the 9-week timeframe is their legal CYA - they have to give you the worst possible scenario. In reality, once identity verification is complete, most returns process within 2-3 weeks unless there are other issues. Pro tip: Set up that IP PIN they mentioned ASAP once you get your refund. It'll save you from going through this verification nightmare again next year. I wish I had known about it sooner! You're past the hardest part now - just keep checking your transcript weekly and you should see movement soon. April filers who verify now are actually in a sweet spot timing-wise compared to those who got stuck early in the season.