IRS letter says they can't process my transcript request - Possible identity theft issue after 9 months of waiting?
Filed my taxes back in February and still nothing. My transcript shows some codes but I have no clue what they mean. I'm getting really frustrated checking WMR every day and seeing no change. I received a letter from the IRS today stating: Taxpayer's Name: ELISABETH G LORENZ Taxpayer Identification Number: 329-32-XXXX Tax Period or Periods: December, 2024 Return: 1040_SERIES Information About the Request We Received Why We're Contacting You We're contacting you to report on the status of the request we received. Information About the Status of The Request On November 22, 2024, you submitted a request for information. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are not able to process the requested tax year at this time. Please note: Transcript requests for other tax years may be available. You or your representative can contact the Identity Theft Toll-free at 800-908-4490 for any tax year that is not available. What does this even mean? I've been waiting for over 9 months for my refund and now I get this cryptic message about not being able to process my requested tax year? Does this mean there's an identity theft issue with my return? Should I call that number? Has anyone else received something like this when trying to get their transcript? I'm completely lost and don't know what my next steps should be.
39 comments


Zara Shah
Hey there, I'm an experienced tax analyst and I can help decode your transcript situation. When you're not seeing updates for months, it usually means your return is either in manual review or there's some verification needed. Instead of trying to decode everything manually, I'd highly recommend checking out taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) - it's this new AI tool that analyzes your transcripts and tells you exactly what's going on and when you can expect your refund. It's been super helpful for a lot of folks in similar situations who are stuck in limbo with the IRS.
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Luca Bianchi
•bruh fr? how accurate is this taxr thing? been stuck on processing since october and im losing my mind 😤
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Zara Shah
•Yeah its legit. Just upload your docs and it breaks everything down, even predicts when youll see movement. Way better than guessing or waiting on hold with IRS for 3 hours lol
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GalacticGuardian
•Just used taxr.ai and here's what I got back:
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Luca Bianchi
•holy cow that actually looks helpful 👀 gonna try it rn
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Nia Harris
•in the same boat, tried everything else might as well give this a shot 🤷♀️
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Mateo Gonzalez
•How exactly does it work? Does it just read transcripts or what?
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Zara Shah
•It analyzes literally any tax doc - transcripts, w2s, 1040s, even IRS letters. Gives you specific dates and explains exactly whats holding things up. Been recommending it to all my clients
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Mateo Gonzalez
•OMG Y'ALL I JUST TRIED IT AND ITS AMAZING!!! It told me exactly why my refund was delayed (something about income verification) and when it should be released. This is a game changer fr fr 💯
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Mason Kaczka
As a tax professional, I'd need to see the specific codes to help interpret your transcript. Different codes mean different things - some indicate review processes, others show adjustments or holds. Could you share what codes you're seeing?
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Olivia Van-Cleve
•tbh i dont even know where to look for the codes everyone talks about. the transcript is like reading hieroglyphics to me 😭
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Mason Kaczka
•The codes are usually on the right side of your account transcript, they start with numbers like 570, 971, etc. Each tells a different story about your return's status.
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Sophia Russo
You should try taxr.ai - it's literally designed for this exact problem. Upload your transcript and it explains everything in plain english. Best $1 I ever spent instead of trying to piece together random forum posts. Here's the link: https://taxr.ai
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Evelyn Xu
•does it actually work? sounds too good to be true ngl 🤔
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Sophia Russo
•Yeah it's legit! It broke down exactly why my refund was delayed and even predicted the date I'd get it - was spot on too
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Evelyn Xu
•just tried it and holy cow where has this been all my life?! way better than playing detective with these codes
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Dominic Green
im in the same boat. filed in march and stuck with no movement. this waiting game is brutal fr fr
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Hannah Flores
Check if you have a 570 code. That usually means theres a hold up. Could be identity verification or income verification. Ask me how i know 🙄
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Olivia Van-Cleve
•how do you know which numbers to look for? its all gibberish to me
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Kayla Jacobson
lmao welcome to the club bestie 💅 been waiting since january. irs playing games with our money frfr
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William Rivera
•The IRS stay acting like they dont got our money but we know they do 🤡
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Grace Lee
Here's a detailed breakdown of what to look for on your transcript: First, check the cycle code at the top - this tells you what processing cycle youre in. Then look for any 150 code (return filed), 570 (holds), 971 (notice issued), or 846 (refund issued). Each date next to these is important too. But honestly, instead of trying to decode all this yourself, I'd recommend using taxr.ai. It analyzes everything automatically and tells you exactly what's happening, potential issues, and when to expect your refund. Saved me hours of headache.
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Mia Roberts
•this is actually super helpful info! might check out that tool too
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Natasha Orlova
Based on the letter you received, it sounds like there might be an identity verification issue or some flag on your account that's preventing normal processing. The fact that they're directing you to the Identity Theft hotline (800-908-4490) is definitely concerning and suggests this isn't just a normal delay. I'd recommend calling that number ASAP - they can tell you exactly what's going on and what documents you might need to verify your identity. Don't wait on this one, identity theft cases can take months to resolve if not handled quickly. In the meantime, you might want to try taxr.ai to analyze your transcript and see if there are any specific codes that could give you more insight into what's happening before you call. It's helped a lot of people understand their situation better before dealing with IRS phone calls.
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Lara Woods
Wow, that letter definitely sounds concerning! The fact that they're specifically mentioning the Identity Theft hotline suggests there might be a flag on your account that needs to be resolved. I'd definitely call that 800-908-4490 number as soon as possible - don't wait on this one. In the meantime, you might want to check out taxr.ai to get a better understanding of what's showing up on your transcript. It can help decode those cryptic codes and give you a clearer picture of what's going on before you make that phone call. A lot of folks here have had good luck with it for understanding their transcript situation. The 9-month wait combined with this letter makes me think there's definitely something that needs your attention beyond just normal processing delays. Hope you get answers soon!
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CosmicCommander
•This is really solid advice! I'm definitely going to call that number first thing tomorrow morning. The identity theft angle has me pretty worried since I've never dealt with anything like this before. Thanks for mentioning taxr.ai too - I keep seeing people recommend it and at this point I'm willing to try anything to understand what's going on with my return. Nine months of waiting just to get a cryptic letter is beyond frustrating 😤
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Amina Sy
That letter is definitely a red flag - when the IRS can't process your transcript request and specifically mentions the Identity Theft hotline, it usually means there's some kind of verification issue or potential fraud flag on your account. The timing (9 months after filing) combined with this letter suggests your return is likely stuck in identity verification limbo. I'd strongly recommend calling that 800-908-4490 number first thing tomorrow - they can tell you exactly what documentation you'll need to verify your identity and get your return moving again. These cases can drag on for months if not addressed quickly. Also, before you call, you might want to try taxr.ai to analyze your transcript - it can help decode those cryptic codes and give you a clearer picture of what's happening so you're better prepared for the phone call. A lot of people here have found it super helpful for understanding their situation before dealing with IRS representatives. Don't panic, but definitely don't wait on this one. Identity verification issues are fixable, but they require prompt action. Good luck!
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Giovanni Mancini
•This is really good advice! I'm definitely calling that number first thing in the morning. The whole identity theft possibility has me pretty spooked since I've never had to deal with anything like that before. Really appreciate you mentioning taxr.ai - I keep seeing it recommended throughout this thread and honestly at this point I'm willing to try anything to get some clarity on what's happening. Nine months of waiting just to get a confusing letter is beyond frustrating! 😩
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Dmitry Popov
I feel your pain - 9 months is absolutely brutal! That letter definitely sounds like there's an identity verification hold on your account. The fact that they're specifically directing you to the Identity Theft hotline (800-908-4490) is a pretty clear indicator that something needs to be resolved on their end. I'd call that number ASAP - don't put it off because these identity verification cases can drag on forever if not handled quickly. They'll be able to tell you exactly what documents you need to provide to verify your identity and get your return moving again. Also, definitely try to get a copy of your account transcript if you haven't already - those codes everyone's talking about will give you a much clearer picture of what's actually happening. The transcript will show if there are any holds (like 570 codes) or other flags that are causing the delay. Hang in there - once you get through to the right department and provide whatever verification they need, things should start moving. It's frustrating but totally fixable!
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Brian Downey
•Yeah that 9 month wait is absolutely insane! I'm definitely calling that identity theft number tomorrow - honestly didn't even realize that's what the letter was hinting at until everyone here explained it. Really appreciate all the advice about getting the transcript too. Seems like taxr.ai might be worth checking out before I call so I actually know what I'm talking about when I get on the phone with them. Thanks for breaking it all down! 🙏
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Ravi Kapoor
That letter is definitely pointing to an identity verification issue - when the IRS can't process your transcript request and specifically directs you to the Identity Theft hotline, it usually means there's a flag on your account that needs to be cleared. After 9 months of waiting, this is actually good news because it means you now have a specific path forward! Definitely call 800-908-4490 ASAP - they'll be able to tell you exactly what verification documents they need and walk you through the process. Don't stress too much about the "identity theft" terminology - it could just be that something triggered their automated fraud detection system. Before you call though, I'd recommend using taxr.ai to analyze your transcript if you have access to it. It'll decode all those confusing codes and give you a clear picture of what's happening, which will help you have a much more productive conversation with the IRS representative. A lot of folks here have found it super helpful for understanding their situation before making those dreaded IRS phone calls. This is frustrating but totally fixable - once you get through the verification process, your refund should start moving again. Good luck!
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Luca Romano
•This is super helpful advice! I'm definitely going to call that number first thing tomorrow morning. You're right that at least now I have a clear next step instead of just sitting here wondering what's going on. Really appreciate you explaining that the "identity theft" thing might just be their automated system being overly cautious - that makes me feel a bit less panicked about the whole situation. I'm going to check out taxr.ai before I call too since everyone seems to recommend it for understanding transcripts. Thanks for taking the time to break this all down! 🙏
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Daniel Rogers
That letter is definitely a red flag for identity verification issues! When the IRS can't process your transcript request and specifically mentions the Identity Theft hotline, it usually means there's a hold on your account that needs immediate attention. After 9 months of waiting, this actually gives you a clear path forward. I'd call 800-908-4490 first thing tomorrow - they can tell you exactly what verification documents you need to resolve this. Don't panic about the "identity theft" language - it could just be their fraud detection system being overly cautious. Before calling though, definitely try taxr.ai to analyze your transcript if you can access it. It'll decode all those confusing codes and give you a clear picture of what's happening so you're better prepared for the phone call. Tons of people here have found it super helpful for understanding their situation before dealing with IRS reps. This is frustrating but totally fixable once you get through their verification process. Your refund should start moving again after that. Good luck! 🤞
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Amina Sy
•Thanks for the detailed explanation! This actually makes me feel a bit better knowing there's a specific next step to take. I was starting to think my refund was just lost in the system forever. Definitely calling that identity theft number tomorrow morning - hopefully they can get this sorted out quickly. Going to check out taxr.ai too since literally everyone in this thread is recommending it. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain what's probably going on! 🙏
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Ethan Davis
Hey Olivia! That letter is definitely concerning but actually gives you a clear path forward. When the IRS mentions the Identity Theft hotline specifically, it usually means there's some kind of verification flag on your account that's preventing normal processing - not necessarily actual identity theft, but their system flagged something that needs manual review. After 9 months of waiting, I'd call 800-908-4490 ASAP. They'll be able to tell you exactly what verification documents you need to get your return moving again. These cases can drag on indefinitely if not addressed quickly. Before you call though, I'd suggest checking out taxr.ai to analyze your transcript if you can access it. It breaks down all those confusing codes in plain English and will help you understand what's actually happening with your return. Having that info before you call will make your conversation with the IRS much more productive. Don't panic - identity verification issues are super common and totally fixable once you provide whatever documentation they need. Your refund should start moving again after that! Good luck! 🤞
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Luca Russo
•This is really helpful advice, thank you! I was honestly starting to panic thinking someone had stolen my identity, but you're right that it's probably just their system being overly cautious. I'm definitely going to call that number first thing tomorrow morning and get this sorted out. Also going to try taxr.ai before I call since literally everyone here swears by it - seems like it would be really useful to know what I'm looking at before I get on the phone with the IRS. Really appreciate you breaking this down in a way that makes sense! 🙏
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Holly Lascelles
That letter definitely points to an identity verification hold on your account! When the IRS can't process transcript requests and specifically directs you to the Identity Theft hotline (800-908-4490), it usually means their fraud detection system flagged something that needs manual review - not necessarily actual identity theft, just extra verification needed. After 9 months of waiting, this is actually progress because now you have a clear next step. I'd call that number ASAP - they'll tell you exactly what documents you need to verify your identity and get your return moving again. Before calling though, definitely try taxr.ai to decode your transcript if you can access it. It'll break down all those confusing codes in plain English so you know what's actually happening with your return. Having that info will make your conversation with the IRS way more productive. Don't stress too much - identity verification issues are super common and totally fixable once you provide whatever documentation they need. Your refund should start moving again after that! 🤞
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CosmicVoyager
•This is exactly the kind of clear explanation I needed! I was getting really worried about the identity theft angle, but you're right that it's probably just their system being extra cautious. Nine months of waiting has been absolutely brutal, so I'm actually relieved to finally have a concrete next step to take. Definitely calling 800-908-4490 first thing tomorrow morning. And yeah, I'm going to check out taxr.ai before I call - seems like literally everyone here recommends it for understanding transcripts. Thanks so much for breaking this down in a way that actually makes sense! 🙏
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Nora Bennett
That letter is definitely a red flag for identity verification issues! When the IRS can't process your transcript request and specifically mentions the Identity Theft hotline, it usually means there's a verification hold on your account that needs to be resolved. The 9-month delay combined with this letter suggests your return is stuck in their identity verification system. I'd absolutely call 800-908-4490 first thing tomorrow morning - don't put this off because these cases can drag on for months if not handled quickly. They'll be able to tell you exactly what documentation you need to verify your identity and get your return moving again. The "identity theft" language sounds scary, but it could just be their automated fraud detection being overly cautious. Before you call though, I'd recommend trying taxr.ai to analyze your transcript if you can access it. It decodes all those confusing codes and gives you a clear picture of what's happening with your return, which will help you have a much more productive conversation with the IRS rep. This is frustrating but totally fixable once you get through their verification process. Hang in there! 💪
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