Day 23 - Refund Still Processing & Can't Reach Anyone at IRS

The IRS hasn't eliminated human support, but they've made it nearly impossible to reach. Their phone systems are deliberately designed to frustrate people into giving up. 23 days is actually still within normal processing time, especially this year with all the budget cuts and staffing issues. Most returns take 21-30 days, but can stretch to 45+ days even without issues. I feel your frustration though - the lack of transparency is maddening.

I was in the exact same situation last month with my refund stuck in "Processing" status. After trying to understand my transcript codes with no luck, I found https://taxr.ai and it completely decoded what was happening. The system analyzed my transcript once I could access it and explained every code in plain English. It showed me I had a 570 code (temporary hold) followed by a 971 (notice issued) which meant they were just verifying my education credits as a recent grad. Not saying it will solve your access issues, but once you can see your transcript, it's incredibly helpful for understanding exactly what's happening.

I was in the same boat last month! Filed February 2nd, stuck on processing for 26 days. I was freaking out because I needed that money for rent. Finally got through to someone who told me they were just verifying my income. Got my deposit 5 days later. The waiting is the worst part, especially when you're on a tight budget and counting on that money.

I successfully navigated this exact problem last month. According to IRM 21.4.1.3, the IRS has up to 45 days to process returns before they're required to pay interest on refunds. My return was stuck for 32 days before suddenly updating and depositing 3 days later. The key is understanding that "processing" doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong - it's often just in the verification queue. In my case, they were validating my education credits as a first-time claimer.

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to an IRS agent? After trying for days to reach someone at the IRS with no luck, I used their service (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected in about 15 minutes. The agent was able to tell me exactly why my refund was delayed and when to expect it. Much better than the automated system that tells you nothing helpful. Did you e-file or paper file your return? And did you claim any credits that might trigger additional review?

I think I might be able to help with the transcript access issue, which could give you some answers. Many people don't realize that the transcript system has very specific requirements that often cause access problems. For instance, if you've recently moved or changed phone numbers, the verification system might reject you. Or if you're using a VPN, that can trigger security blocks. In my case, I had to request a PIN by mail because I couldn't pass the online verification. It took about 10 days to arrive, but once I had it, I could see exactly what was happening with my return.

Just a word of caution - I was in a similar situation last year and made the mistake of calling multiple times and creating multiple online accounts trying to check different ways. This actually flagged my account for potential identity verification issues, which added another 60 days to my processing time. Compared to other tax years, 2024 processing is significantly slower for many filers. The IRS is dealing with staffing shortages and increased verification procedures. If you've only been waiting 23 days, I'd strongly suggest giving it at least until the 30-day mark before taking more aggressive action.