After IRS identity verification, will updates really take 2-3 weeks or up to 9 weeks to process my April tax return?
I just finished verifying my identity for my 2024 tax return through the IRS website. Got a confirmation screen saying "Verification is Complete" and "Congratulations! You have successfully completed the return verification process." It says they now have what they need to continue processing my return, but mentions it could take up to 9 weeks. The full screen text says: "Verify Your Return Verification is Complete Congratulations! You have successfully completed the return verification process. We now have the necessary information to continue processing your return. Processing can take up to 9 weeks. If there are other issues, you may receive a notice requesting additional information that will extend the time that you'll receive your refund. You may check the status of your tax refund using Where's My Refund or the IRS2Go mobile app after 2 to 3 weeks." It also mentioned something about getting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) as a proactive step to protect myself from tax-related identity theft. Apparently "an IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The IP PIN is known only to you and the IRS. It helps us verify your identity when you file your electronic or paper tax return. Even if you may not have a filing requirement, an IP PIN still protects your account." Has anyone gone through this recently? How long did it actually take to see an update on your transcript or WMR after verification? I filed back in April and got stuck in verification limbo when they couldn't confirm my identity automatically. Really hoping it doesn't actually take 9 weeks since I'm counting on that refund money. The website says I can check "Where's My Refund or the IRS2Go mobile app after 2 to 3 weeks" but I'm wondering if people are seeing updates sooner than that?
48 comments
Yuki Kobayashi
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.
0 coins
AstroAce
Thank you so much! That's really helpful. I've been checking WMR every day but haven't looked at my transcript. I'll start monitoring that instead.
0 coins
22d
Carmen Vega
Do u recomend checking transcripts daily or weekly? I'm in a similar boat as OP and not sure how often i should be looking
0 coins
20d
Yuki Kobayashi
Weekly is sufficient. Transcripts typically update once a week on your cycle day (last two digits of your cycle code indicate the day - 05 is Thursday, etc). Checking daily just leads to more frustration.
0 coins
18d
Andre Rousseau
This is super helpful. I verified last month and got my refund exactly 15 days later. Way faster than the 9 weeks they quoted me!
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Zoe Stavros
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
0 coins
Jamal Harris
Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
0 coins
22d
Zoe Stavros
It does WAY more! You upload your transcript and it breaks down every code, explains what's happening with your refund, and gives you a personalized timeline based on your specific situation. It literally told me the exact day my refund would be issued and it was right! No more guessing what random codes mean or why there are delays. Seriously, it's been a game changer - I recommend it to everyone now.
0 coins
20d
GalaxyGlider
is it safe tho? seems sketchy to upload tax documents to some random site
0 coins
19d
Zoe Stavros
I was skeptical too at first, but they don't store your documents and the analysis happens instantly. Honestly its literally the best tool I've found after dealing with IRS headaches for months. Saved me countless hours of research and anxiety!
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Mei Wong
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.
0 coins
Liam Sullivan
Did you have to pay for this service? Sounds too good to be true tbh
0 coins
20d
Mei Wong
Yeah there's a fee but it was 100% worth it to me after wasting days trying to get through on my own. After talking to the agent I had my refund within a week. It was the only way I could actually talk to a real person at the IRS.
0 coins
18d
Amara Okafor
How do they get u through? IRS phone lines are basically impossible
0 coins
18d
Mei Wong
They basically navigate the phone system and wait on hold for you, then call you when they have an agent on the line. Saved me like 4+ hours of my life I would've spent on hold.
0 coins
18d
Giovanni Colombo
gonna try this tomorrow, been trying to reach someone at the IRS for almost a month with no luck 😤
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Fatima Al-Qasimi
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.
0 coins
Write a comment...
StarStrider
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.
0 coins
Dylan Campbell
Yep, I think timing during the year matters a lot. Early filers who verify seem to wait longer than people who file and verify later in the season.
0 coins
18d
AstroAce
That makes me feel better since I'm a later filer. Fingers crossed it's on the shorter end of the timeframe!
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Sofia Torres
what phone number did you call to verify? I need to do this too but can't get through to anyone
0 coins
AstroAce
I didn't call - I got a letter saying I needed to verify online at id.me. Did it all through their website. Took about 30 minutes from start to finish.
0 coins
18d
Sofia Torres
oh i think i need to call bc my letter has a different number. been trying for days with no luck 😩
0 coins
18d
Dmitry Sokolov
Try claimyr.com - got me through to an agent in like 2 hours after failing to get through for weeks on my own. Totally worth it to finally talk to a human.
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Ava Martinez
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.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Miguel Ramos
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.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
facts. and our tax dollars pay for this mess too 💀
0 coins
18d
Zainab Omar
They're chronically underfunded though. Congress keeps cutting their budget and then everyone complains when service is bad. It's by design.
0 coins
18d
Miguel Ramos
Don't care about their excuses. We're forced to file taxes with them and then they hold our refunds hostage for months? Not acceptable.
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Connor Gallagher
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.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Yara Sayegh
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.
0 coins
AstroAce
That's reassuring! Did your WMR update before or after your transcript changed?
0 coins
18d
Yara Sayegh
Transcript updated first, then WMR changed like 2-3 days later. The transcript is where the real info is.
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Keisha Johnson
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.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Paolo Longo
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.
0 coins
AstroAce
That's what I'm worried about! The verification page said "If there are other issues, you may receive a notice requesting additional information" - hoping that doesn't happen to me too.
0 coins
18d
Paolo Longo
If u wanna be proactive call them now to check if there are other issues. Use claimyr.com to get through - worth every penny to not wait in limbo for months.
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
CosmicCowboy
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.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Amina Diallo
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.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
Identity theft is a real problem tho. Better they verify than someone else gets your refund.
0 coins
18d
Amina Diallo
But they already have my SSN, my income info from my employer, my address, everything. And NOW they need to verify me? After taking my money all year? 🙄
0 coins
18d
Natasha Orlova
Welcome to the clown show that is the American tax system 🤡
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Javier Cruz
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
0 coins
AstroAce
Wow that's incredible! What time of year was this? I'm hoping for a similar timeline 🤞
0 coins
18d
Javier Cruz
This was like 3 weeks ago so pretty recent. I think they're moving faster now than earlier in the tax season. Good luck!
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...
Emma Wilson
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.
0 coins
Malik Thomas
Those transcript codes might as well be written in hieroglyphics for most of us 😂
0 coins
18d
NeonNebula
taxr.ai helps decode all that transcript stuff if you're confused. Explains everything in plain english instead of IRS-speak.
0 coins
18d
Write a comment...