After sending W2 verification, IRS reset my processing and now I'm back to zero - another 3 week wait!
Just a warning to everyone - don't send the IRS the same documents multiple times even if you think they didn't get them! I received a letter asking me to send in my W2 for verification about 4 weeks ago. I mailed everything right away. My Where's My Refund status had been showing "Your tax return is being processed" with 1 bar for the past week. I was feeling optimistic! Then this morning I checked and now it shows "We are reviewing your return" with ZERO bars. Freaked out and called the IRS this morning. The agent told me they received my W2 documentation but because I apparently sent it TWICE (I swear I only sent it once!), my entire processing started over from scratch. Now I have to wait ANOTHER 3 weeks minimum. Thank god my student loan disbursement comes this week or I'd be completely screwed for rent. Learn from my mistake!
49 comments
Astrid Bergström
Tax specialist here. This is unfortunately a common issue with the IRS document processing system. When duplicate documents are received (or sometimes even when they're not but the system thinks they are), it can trigger what's called a 'review reset' in their processing queue. For anyone facing this situation: • Never send documents to the IRS multiple times unless specifically instructed by an agent • Always send documents with certified mail and tracking • Keep copies of everything you send • Note the exact date you mailed items • If you must call about documents, wait at least 3 weeks after sending before inquiring The system is designed to flag potential fraud when duplicate documents arrive, which is why your processing restarted. The frustrating part is it's nearly impossible to expedite once this happens - you really do have to wait the additional time. The good news is that after review, you should receive your refund without further issues assuming everything else is in order with your return.
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Ravi Patel
I definitely didn't send it twice! Could it be that they scanned it twice on their end? That's so frustrating.
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Astrid Bergström
Absolutely could be an error on their end. Their scanning systems sometimes process the same document twice if there's any issue with the first scan. Unfortunately the outcome is the same either way 😕
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PixelPrincess
this happened to me last year! I only sent my docs once but they claimed I sent duplicates. took an extra month to get my refund 🤬
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Omar Farouk
I actually understand your issue completely because I was in the same situation last month. Have you tried using taxr.ai? It saved me so much time trying to figure out what was happening with my transcript. Instead of guessing what all those codes meant or why my refund was delayed, it explained everything clearly and told me exactly what I needed to do next. I was going crazy trying to piece together what was happening before I found it. Seriously check out https://taxr.ai - it shows you what's really going on behind the scenes at the IRS instead of that useless bar tracker.
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Chloe Martin
Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
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Omar Farouk
It reads your transcript but then actually explains everything in normal human language. It shows you all the important dates, tells you if there are any holds or issues, and even predicts when you'll get your refund based on your specific situation. I was completely lost with my transcript before - all those codes made no sense to me. Taxr.ai broke it all down and I finally understood what was happening with my money!
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Chloe Martin
Just tried it and WOW! This thing is amazing! It showed me that I actually have a refund coming next week that I didn't even know about because the IRS processed an adjustment. The WheresMy Refund tool wasn't showing anything. This is a game changer for real 🙌
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Diego Fernández
is it free tho? feels like there's gotta be a catch
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Omar Farouk
There is a fee but honestly for the peace of mind it gave me, it was 100% worth it. I spent hours on hold with the IRS trying to get the same info this gave me in seconds.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
After fighting with the IRS for weeks about my verification issues, I finally used this calling service from claimyr.com and got through to a real human at the IRS in less than 20 minutes. The agent was able to see exactly what happened with my documents and fixed the issue on the spot - my refund was released two days later. After spending literally HOURS on hold over multiple days and never reaching anyone, this was such a relief. Talking to an actual agent was the only way I got my issue fixed.
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Sean Fitzgerald
This sounds too good to be true. Does it actually work? The IRS phone lines are impossible.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
I was skeptical too but it seriously worked. They basically keep calling for you until they get through, then connect you. Best money I've spent this year considering I was waiting on a $3800 refund that was stuck in limbo.
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Zara Khan
How much does it cost??
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
Worth every penny considering how many hours of my life I wasted trying to get through on my own. The peace of mind alone was worth it, and getting my refund unstuck was obviously huge.
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PixelPrincess
I used it too! I was about to give up on ever seeing my refund but finally broke down and tried it. Got a callback within like 30 min and the IRS agent found the problem right away. My refund hit my account a week later!
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MoonlightSonata
The IRS is such a disaster. I work in accounting and even we can't figure out how their systems work half the time. One client sent in verification docs ONCE and somehow it showed up in the system THREE times and they had to go through multiple reviews. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing over there..
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Mateo Gonzalez
U think thats bad, i been waiting since February for my refund. Sent my w2 verification in March, then they said they needed more info so i sent that in April. Still nothing. Bars disappeared months ago. Called like 50 times and only got thru twice just to be told "keep waiting" 🤡🤡🤡
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Ravi Patel
That's horrible! Have you tried using the Taxpayer Advocate Service? I've heard they can help with refunds that are extremely delayed.
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Mateo Gonzalez
tried that too! they said they not taking new cases unless ur facing immediate financial hardship. like wtf the IRS holding my $6k isnt hardship??? system is broken
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Nia Williams
I used claimyr.com to reach an agent after 3 months of waiting. Had my refund in 2 weeks after they fixed whatever was holding it up. Sometimes you gotta talk to a human to get anything done with the IRS.
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Mateo Gonzalez
might try that. at this point im desperate
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Luca Ricci
Isn't it crazy how they can reset your entire processing just because of a perceived duplicate document? Meanwhile if you owe them money, they'll come after you with the fury of a thousand suns, no delays whatsoever 😂 Tale as old as time...
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Aisha Mohammed
fr tho! If you owe them $5, they'll find you at the ends of the earth. If they owe you $5000, suddenly their systems are "experiencing delays" 💀
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Ethan Campbell
this is so true it hurts. last year they sent me a bill within 2 DAYS of me making a small math error on my estimated tax payment. but my refund? 4 months and counting...
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Yuki Watanabe
The exact same thing happened to me last month. I was at one bar then went back to being processed with no bars. But here's the weird thing - I actually got my refund direct deposited THREE DAYS LATER even though the tracker still showed processing! So maybe you'll get lucky too? Don't give up hope.
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Ravi Patel
That would be amazing! I'll keep checking my bank account. Thanks for the hope!
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Carmen Sanchez
Quick tip that helped me - if you create an online account at irs.gov you can see your actual tax transcript which shows way more detail than the Where's My Refund tool. It shows all the codes and dates for what's happening behind the scenes with your return. It's not super user friendly but better than flying blind.
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Andre Dupont
I tried to create an account but their verification process is ridiculous! They wanted a credit card statement I don't have, then tried to text a phone that's not in my name... impossible to get in 🤦♀️
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Zoe Papadakis
Even when you get your transcript, half the codes make no sense unless you're a tax pro. I used taxr.ai to interpret mine and it was SO much clearer. Showed me exactly what was happening and when I'd likely get paid. https://taxr.ai
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Carmen Sanchez
That's a good point - the transcript codes are like reading hieroglyphics if you don't know what they mean!
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ThunderBolt7
So your saying your refund started to be processed but now they are doing "a manual review" again? Did they tell you why? Was there something wrong with your return? I'm confused as to why they would review it again.
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Ravi Patel
The agent said it was because they thought I sent duplicate W2 documentation (which I swear I didn't). Apparently when that happens, it flags the return for a deeper review to make sure there isn't fraud happening. So frustrating!
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ThunderBolt7
oh that makes sense I guess. stupid system tho. keep us updated if u get it sooner than they said!
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Jamal Edwards
Pro tip: ALWAYS send any documentation to the IRS via certified mail with return receipt. Costs a little extra but gives you proof of exactly when they received your documents. Has saved my butt multiple times when they claimed they never got something.
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Mei Chen
I work at a tax firm and we see this ALL THE TIME. Unfortunately the IRS is severely understaffed and their computer systems are from the stone age. A lot of their document scanning is still partially manual, and sometimes papers get scanned twice. It's not your fault but you're still stuck with the consequences 😫
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Liam O'Sullivan
Didn't they get a bunch of funding to fix all this? Where did that money go??
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Mei Chen
Most of that funding is being phased in over multiple years. They've hired some new staff but are still working with computer systems from the 1970s in some departments. The document processing centers are particularly backlogged.
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Amara Okonkwo
My cousin works for IRS and says they still use DOS for some of their systems... in 2025! Like actual green screen DOS programs 🤣
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Giovanni Marino
If you're really desperate for your refund, contact your congressional representative. They have dedicated staff who can contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate on your behalf. I did this last year when my refund was 4 months late and magically had it within 2 weeks after my congressman's office stepped in.
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Ravi Patel
I might try this if it goes beyond the 3 week timeframe they gave me. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Fatima Al-Sayed
honestly just a hot mess this year. Filed in March, no issues, no letters, nothing complicated on my return... still waiting for my refund with no explanation. WMR tool just says "still processing" for 3 months now. called IRS and got told "just keep waiting" 🙃
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Dylan Hughes
Can we talk about how WMR tool is completely useless? Oh you want to know what's happening with your refund? Here's a colorful bar that tells you absolutely nothing helpful! 🤦♂️ The IRS transcript actually shows all the real information but it's like they deliberately hide the useful stuff behind confusing codes. taxr.ai is the only reason I understood what was happening with my return - translated all that gibberish into actual English.
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NightOwl42
That https://taxr.ai tool is a game changer frfr. I was completely lost trying to figure out my transcript before I used it.
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Sofia Rodriguez
I don't trust random tax websites with my sensitive info tho...
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Dylan Hughes
You just upload your transcript that you download from the IRS. I was paranoid too before I tried it. Way better than spending hours googling random codes and still not knowing what's going on.
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Dmitry Ivanov
Unpopular opinion but I'd rather wait another 3 weeks than get audited. If they're being thorough at least they're being thorough? Silver lining?
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Ravi Patel
Trying to see it that way! Just wish I didn't need the money so badly right now.
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Dmitry Ivanov
totally get that. the waiting game is the worst especially when you're counting on that money. hope it comes through faster than they said!
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