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Anyone Filed Injured Spouse Form (8379) and Already Received Refund for Both State and Federal?

Feeling like I'm sailing through uncharted waters here with this injured spouse situation. Has anyone who filed Form 8379 (injured spouse) with both their state and federal returns already received their refunds this year? My spouse's past-due child support is like a financial black hole, pulling in any potential refunds, but I'm hoping the injured spouse form works like a protective shield. Just wondering what the timeline is looking like for others in similar boats. The waiting game feels like watching water boil when you really need that cup of tea!

In my experience, injured spouse claims (Form 8379) typically take longer to process than standard returns, possibly around 11-14 weeks in many cases. This is because, generally speaking, the IRS has to manually review these forms to determine the appropriate allocation of the refund. There's also, unfortunately, often a disconnect between federal and state processing timelines, which might mean you could receive one before the other. If you e-filed, you might see movement sooner, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's still some delay. Have you checked your transcript for any processing codes that might indicate where things stand?

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I might be able to help here, though I'm hesitant to make promises. When my spouse and I were in a similar situation last year, we waited nearly 3 months with no updates. I finally tried using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an actual IRS agent. The service basically waits on hold for you and calls when an agent picks up. I was honestly surprised it worked... The agent confirmed our form was sitting in a processing queue and expedited it since we were past the normal processing window. Perhaps worth considering if you've been waiting longer than the 11-14 weeks mentioned above?

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I've seen these services mentioned before, but I'm not convinced paying someone to hold your place in line is the best approach. Have you considered that the IRS has specific timeframes for processing these forms? Step 1: File the form. Step 2: Wait the allocated processing time. Step 3: If no response after the full processing window, then contact the IRS. Paying for line-holding services seems premature unless you're well beyond the expected timeframe.

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Did they give you any insight into why injured spouse forms take so much longer? I remember back in 2022 when I filed one, it took forever too. Makes me wonder if there's something about these forms that always pushes them to the bottom of the pile.

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I'm in this exact situation right now! Unlike a regular tax return that might process in 21 days, my injured spouse form has been pending for 8 weeks already. It's like comparing express shipping to sending something by horse and buggy. My state refund (Missouri) came through last week, but federal is still showing as processing. Time is ticking and bills are piling up - I really need this money for medical expenses that can't wait much longer!

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I successfully navigated this last year and found that understanding the transcript codes was crucial. The TC 570 (additional account action pending) followed by TC 971 (notice issued) are common with injured spouse claims. I used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to analyze my transcript and it identified exactly where my injured spouse allocation was in the process. The platform explained that my 971 code indicated the manual review was complete and provided an estimated deposit date that was accurate to within 2 days. Saved me from constantly trying to decipher IRS codes and cycles.

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Really? Another service to pay for something the IRS should explain better themselves? I've been through the injured spouse process three times now and just learned to be patient. Eventually the money shows up and I didn't have to pay anyone to tell me when.

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I think what they're saying makes sense actually. When I checked my transcript last year, I saw code 971 with amount $0.00 and had no idea what it meant. Spent exactly 97 minutes on hold with the IRS only to be told it was part of normal processing. If this tool can translate those codes into plain English and give accurate timing estimates, that's worth something.

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Have you considered whether filing the injured spouse form separately after your original return might be faster? Or does submitting it together with your original return actually speed things up? I've heard conflicting information about this. Also, did you receive any confirmation that your Form 8379 was actually received and being processed? Sometimes these forms fall through the cracks, don't they?

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It’s not any faster. I submitted mine after submitting taxes electronically on 2/24 & actually hand delivered my injured spouse form to my local IRS office (you can’t submit it online) & we’re still waiting all these months later. I finally have a 570 & 971 that says hardship refund next to it whatever that means. It also says completed on the check my amended return tool & has for 10 days or so. I’ve been told it’s better to submit it before they take it & I’ve been told the way I did it is better. This is my 1st year but from what I’ve seen it takes forever regardless:

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I filed an injured spouse form this year and got my federal refund exactly 9 weeks after filing. According to the IRS website (which I checked religiously), injured spouse claims take 8-14 weeks to process. My state refund (California) came through in just 3 weeks. I e-filed both returns with TurboTax and made sure to check the injured spouse indicator on both returns. The IRS 'Where's My Refund' tool never updated beyond 'return received' until suddenly it showed a deposit date.

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Timing depends on filing method. Paper forms take longer. Electronic is faster. IRS prioritizes by submission date. Not by form type. Injured spouse allocations require manual review. That's the bottleneck. State processing is separate. Different timelines entirely. Some states honor federal injured spouse automatically. Others require separate state forms. Check your specific state requirements.

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• Should we expect any communication from the IRS during this waiting period? • Is there a specific department that handles injured spouse claims? • What happens if the state processes their portion before the federal determination is made? • Does having filed an injured spouse form in previous years speed up the process at all?

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Quick q - did you attach any supporting docs with your 8379? IME the IRS sometimes needs proof of income allocation between spouses, esp if you're in a community property state. Also, did you file electronically or paper? E-file is def faster but some tax software doesn't handle injured spouse correctly tbh.

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I'm going through this exact same process right now and it's been such a stressful waiting game! Filed my injured spouse form (8379) electronically with my joint return back in early February, and I'm now at the 10-week mark with no updates on the federal side. My state refund (Texas) came through in about 4 weeks, which was a relief, but the federal portion is still showing "processing" on Where's My Refund. What's really frustrating is that every time I call the IRS, I get a different timeline estimate - some agents say 11-14 weeks, others say up to 16 weeks during busy season. Has anyone had luck getting more specific information by requesting their account transcript? I'm wondering if those processing codes people mentioned might give me a better sense of where things actually stand rather than just the generic "still processing" message. The financial stress is real when you're counting on that refund for essential expenses, especially knowing the money is technically yours but tied up in bureaucratic review. Hoping we all see movement soon!

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I'm in a very similar situation and can totally relate to the stress! I filed my 8379 in mid-February and I'm at week 9 now with no federal movement, though my state refund came through quickly too. Regarding the account transcript - yes, definitely request it! You can get it online through the IRS website or by calling. The transcript will show specific processing codes that give you much more detail than the "Where's My Refund" tool. Look for codes like TC 570 (additional account action pending) or TC 971 (notice issued) - these typically appear with injured spouse claims and can indicate where you are in the manual review process. The varying timelines from different IRS agents are so frustrating, but from what I've gathered from others here, 11-14 weeks seems to be the realistic range, with some cases taking even longer during busy season. It's maddening when you need that money for essential expenses and know it's rightfully yours! Have you tried checking your transcript yet? It might give you some peace of mind to see actual processing activity even if the final refund isn't ready.

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I'm currently in week 12 of waiting for my injured spouse refund and finally got some movement! Just wanted to share what worked for me in case it helps others in this thread. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I decided to request my account transcript online last week. Sure enough, I found a TC 971 code with a notice date that wasn't showing up in the "Where's My Refund" tool at all. The transcript also showed my injured spouse allocation had been calculated and approved - something I never would have known from the generic processing messages. What really helped was calling the IRS armed with my specific transcript codes and cycle dates. Instead of getting the usual "it's still processing" response, the agent could see exactly where my case stood and confirmed my refund should deposit within 2-3 weeks. Having those specific codes made all the difference in getting real information rather than generic timelines. For those still waiting - definitely pull your transcript if you haven't already. It's free through the IRS website and gives you actual processing details instead of just hoping and waiting. The stress of not knowing is sometimes worse than the actual wait time! Hang in there everyone - it does eventually come through, even though the timeline feels endless when you're living it.

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This is incredibly helpful, thank you for sharing your experience! I'm at week 8 myself and have been getting those generic "still processing" messages that tell you absolutely nothing. Your point about being armed with specific transcript codes when calling makes total sense - it's like speaking their language instead of just asking "where's my money?" I'm going to pull my transcript tonight and look for those TC codes you mentioned. The fact that your allocation was already calculated and approved without showing up in Where's My Refund is exactly the kind of detail that would give me some peace of mind right now. Even if I'm still waiting, at least I'd know something is actually happening behind the scenes. Really appreciate you taking the time to update us with what worked. It's posts like this that make these community discussions so valuable when you're navigating something as opaque as IRS processing!

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I'm about 6 weeks into waiting for my injured spouse refund after filing Form 8379 with my joint return in late February. My state refund (Ohio) came through in just 2 weeks, but federal is still showing the dreaded "still processing" message. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and nerve-wracking - it's helpful to know I'm not alone in this waiting game, but the wide range of timelines (8-16+ weeks) makes it hard to know what to expect. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about pulling my account transcript to look for those TC codes. The idea of having actual processing details instead of just generic status messages sounds like it would help with the anxiety of not knowing anything. One thing I'm curious about - for those who have been through this before, do you typically get any kind of letter or notice from the IRS during the review process, or does the money just show up one day? The uncertainty is probably the hardest part when you're counting on that refund for planned expenses. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - this community discussion is way more informative than anything I've found on the official IRS website!

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Welcome to the injured spouse waiting club! At 6 weeks, you're right in the thick of the typical processing window, so try not to panic just yet (easier said than done, I know). Regarding your question about notices - in my experience, you usually don't get much communication during the review process. The IRS might send a generic letter acknowledging receipt of your Form 8379, but most people just see the money appear without much fanfare. That's why checking your transcript is so valuable - it's often the only way to see what's actually happening behind the scenes. The fact that Ohio processed your state refund so quickly is actually a good sign that your paperwork is in order. Federal just takes longer because of that manual review process everyone's mentioned. Definitely pull that transcript though - even if you're still waiting, seeing those processing codes will give you way more insight than the "still processing" black hole. Hang in there! Based on what others have shared, you're still well within the normal timeframe, even though I know every day feels like forever when you need that money.

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I'm at week 14 of waiting for my injured spouse refund and just wanted to share some hope for those still in the thick of it! After reading all the great advice in this thread about checking transcripts, I finally requested mine online and it was a game-changer. My transcript showed TC 570 and TC 971 codes that indicated my case had been manually reviewed and approved - none of this showed up in Where's My Refund, which was still stuck on "processing." Armed with these specific codes, I called the IRS and actually got helpful information instead of generic responses. The agent confirmed my refund was in the final release stage and should deposit within 5-7 business days. What struck me is how much more informative this community thread has been than any official IRS resource. The tip about looking for specific transaction codes, understanding that state and federal timelines are completely separate, and knowing that 11-14 weeks is realistic (not the 21 days we're used to) - all of this came from people sharing their real experiences here. For anyone just starting this process, my advice: file electronically if possible, request your transcript around week 8-10 to see actual progress, and don't panic if you hit week 12+ during busy season. The money does come eventually, even though the wait feels endless when you need it for essential expenses!

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This is such a helpful update, thank you for sharing! I'm at week 7 myself and your experience gives me hope that there's light at the end of this tunnel. The fact that your transcript showed actual progress while Where's My Refund was still giving you nothing is exactly why I need to stop relying on that tool and pull my transcript. Your point about this community being more informative than official IRS resources is so true. I've learned more practical information from reading everyone's real experiences here than from hours of searching the IRS website. The specific timeline expectations (11-14 weeks vs the misleading 21 days), the importance of those TC codes, and just knowing that this lengthy process is normal - it's invaluable when you're going through it for the first time. Fingers crossed your refund hits your account right on schedule! And thanks for taking the time to update us with your progress - it really helps those of us still in the waiting phase to know what to expect and when to take action.

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I'm currently at week 10 of waiting for my injured spouse refund and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Filed Form 8379 with my joint return in early February, and like many others here, my state refund (Florida) came through quickly but federal is still "processing." After reading everyone's experiences about transcript codes, I pulled mine last night and found TC 570 with a freeze code, which based on what others have shared seems to indicate my case is in manual review. It's frustrating that the Where's My Refund tool gives you absolutely no useful information - just that generic "still processing" message that tells you nothing. What's been eye-opening is learning that 11-14 weeks is actually normal for injured spouse claims, not the 21 days we're used to for regular returns. I wish the IRS was more transparent about these realistic timelines upfront instead of letting people stress out thinking something's wrong. For anyone earlier in the process - definitely file electronically if you can, and don't hesitate to check your transcript around week 8-10. This community has provided way better guidance than any official IRS resource I've found. The waiting is brutal when you need that money for essential expenses, but it's reassuring to know we're all in the same boat and that the refunds do eventually come through!

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Your experience mirrors mine almost exactly! I'm at week 11 and just pulled my transcript after reading all the advice here. Found the same TC 570 freeze code, which was actually reassuring because at least it shows something is happening behind the scenes. The lack of transparency from the IRS about realistic timelines is so frustrating - if they just said upfront "injured spouse claims take 11-14 weeks" instead of the generic processing timeframes, it would save so much anxiety. I spent weeks thinking something was wrong when apparently this is just how long it takes. This thread has been a lifesaver for understanding what's actually normal vs. what to worry about. The fact that your state processed quickly is a good sign that your paperwork is solid - federal just moves at its own glacial pace apparently. Hang in there, we're both getting close to that typical resolution window!

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I'm at week 13 of waiting for my injured spouse refund and wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! Filed Form 8379 with my joint return in mid-February, and like so many others here, my state refund (North Carolina) processed in about 3 weeks while federal remains stuck in processing limbo. Following the excellent advice shared here, I pulled my account transcript around week 10 and found TC 570 and TC 971 codes that actually showed progress was being made - something the useless "Where's My Refund" tool never indicated. When I called the IRS armed with these specific codes and cycle dates, I finally got a helpful agent who confirmed my injured spouse allocation had been calculated and my case was in the final review stage. What's been most valuable about this discussion is learning that 11-14+ weeks is genuinely normal for these claims, not a sign that something went wrong. The IRS really needs to be upfront about these realistic timelines instead of letting people panic when they hit week 6-8 with no updates. The manual review process for injured spouse allocations is just inherently slow, especially during busy season. For anyone just starting this journey - file electronically, check your transcript around week 8-10 for actual processing details, and don't let the generic "still processing" messages drive you crazy. This community has provided more practical guidance than any official resource, and it's reassuring to know we're all navigating the same frustrating but ultimately successful process!

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This thread has been such a lifesaver for someone new to the injured spouse process! I just filed my Form 8379 last week and was already getting anxious about the timeline, but reading everyone's real experiences here has helped set realistic expectations. It's frustrating that the IRS doesn't clearly communicate that 11-14+ weeks is normal for these claims - I was expecting the usual 21-day timeline and would have been panicking by week 4 without this context. The advice about pulling transcripts and looking for specific TC codes is invaluable. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and check back around week 8-10 to request my transcript and see what processing codes appear. It sounds like having those specific codes when calling the IRS makes all the difference in getting actual helpful information instead of generic responses. Thank you to everyone who's shared their timelines and updates - knowing that the refunds do eventually come through, even when the wait feels endless, gives me hope during what's already a financially stressful situation.

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I'm just getting started with the injured spouse process myself - filed Form 8379 with my joint return about 3 weeks ago and already feeling anxious about the timeline! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly a huge relief. I had no idea that 11-14+ weeks was normal for these claims - I was expecting the typical 21-day refund timeline and would have been in full panic mode by week 6 without finding this discussion. The tip about checking account transcripts for TC codes around week 8-10 is brilliant advice that I never would have known about otherwise. It's so frustrating that the IRS doesn't clearly communicate these realistic timelines upfront. The "Where's My Refund" tool apparently gives you nothing useful, but at least I know now that doesn't mean something's wrong. My state return is still processing too, so I don't even have that small win yet, but it sounds like state and federal move on completely different timelines anyway. Thank you to everyone who's shared their real experiences and timelines - this community discussion has been more helpful than hours of searching official IRS resources. I'll definitely be checking back to share updates as I progress through this lengthy but apparently normal process!

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Welcome to the injured spouse waiting club! You're so smart to find this thread early in the process - I wish I had discovered it sooner when I was going through this last year. Three weeks in, you're still in the very early stages, so try not to stress too much yet (though I totally understand the anxiety when you need that refund!). Your state return might actually process faster than federal even though they're both still showing as processing. Many states handle these more quickly than the federal manual review process. And you're absolutely right that this community has been way more informative than anything official - the real experiences and practical timelines people share here are invaluable. Since you're just starting out, I'd suggest setting a reminder for yourself around week 8 to pull your transcript and look for those TC codes everyone mentioned. That way you won't be checking obsessively every day and can focus on other things while the wheels slowly turn. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but knowing what to expect makes it much more manageable!

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