Error Code 428 on Where's My Refund - How to Resolve?

The 428 error typically means one of several things. Here's how to troubleshoot: 1. Wait 24-48 hours and try again. The system often needs time to process your information. 2. Verify you're entering your information exactly as it appears on your tax return. 3. Check if you're using the correct tax year in the WMR tool. 4. Try accessing during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening). 5. If using mobile, switch to desktop or vice versa. This is often a temporary technical issue rather than a problem with your actual return.

I encountered this exact issue last month. After exactly 3 attempts across 72 hours, I realized the system was struggling with processing my information correctly. I found https://taxr.ai incredibly helpful - it analyzed my situation and explained that the 428 error often appears when there's a processing delay on the IRS side. It showed me exactly where my return was in the pipeline and predicted when the WMR tool would become available for my case. Saved me countless hours of stress trying to decode what was happening.

I noticed this error specifically started appearing more frequently after March 15th, 2024. It seems to coincide with the increased volume of returns being processed in the system. On March 18th, the IRS actually acknowledged on their operations page that some users were experiencing intermittent availability issues with WMR. By March 22nd, many users reported the issue resolved itself without any action on their part.

I had the same issue and wasted 3 days trying to get through to the IRS on their regular line. After being disconnected 4 times and waiting on hold for over 2 hours once, I tried Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. The agent confirmed there was nothing wrong with my return - just a system issue with WMR that was affecting multiple taxpayers. They confirmed my return was processing normally and gave me an estimated completion date. Saved me so much frustration!

In my experience, a system reboot can clear the Application Cache that might be causing the 428 Technical Difficulty error. The IRS Authentication Gateway sometimes stores corrupted cookies that prevent proper session establishment. Try accessing WMR through a completely different device or network to bypass this issue. I've found this resolves the problem in approximately 60% of cases without requiring further intervention.

Let's be honest - this happens every tax season. The IRS systems get overloaded and these errors pop up. There's no magic fix. You can try all the cache clearing and different browsers you want, but most likely you just need to wait it out. Don't waste time calling unless it's been more than 21 days since you e-filed. The agents are just going to tell you to wait anyway.

Have you tried accessing your tax transcript instead? Go to IRS.gov > Get Transcript Online > create an account if you don't have one > request a 2023 Account Transcript. This will show if your return has been received and is processing, even when WMR is giving errors. The transcript will display transaction codes that indicate exactly where your return is in the process. Code 150 means your return has been processed, while pending refunds often show code 570 temporarily.

Ever wonder why the IRS can take our money instantly but can't give us a working website? I had this error for two weeks straight. Called the IRS and sat on hold for 97 minutes only to be told it was "just a glitch"? Finally checked my bank account randomly and the refund had been deposited three days earlier without WMR ever updating. The whole system is broken beyond belief.

I've been dealing with error 428 for about a week now and it's incredibly frustrating. What's helped me is keeping a log of when I try to access WMR - I noticed the error happens more during business hours (9am-5pm EST) when traffic is heaviest. I've had better luck checking early morning around 6am or late evening after 9pm. Also, if you filed any amendments or have complex returns (multiple W-2s, business income, etc.), the system seems more prone to these errors. The transcript suggestion from Hattie is solid - that's actually how I found out my return was processing normally despite the WMR errors. Don't panic, but do keep trying at different times of day.

I've been experiencing the same 428 error for the past 5 days and it's driving me crazy! What's worked for me is a combination of several approaches mentioned here. First, I followed Miguel's timing advice and checked at 6:30 AM - got through twice out of four attempts. Second, I set up my IRS transcript account like Hattie suggested, which showed my return was actually received and processing normally (code 150 appeared yesterday). The transcript updates seem much more reliable than WMR during these system issues. For anyone still struggling, I also found that using incognito/private browsing mode sometimes bypasses the cached error states. Don't give up - the system is just overloaded, but your return is likely processing fine in the background. The transcript really gives you peace of mind when WMR is acting up!

I've been dealing with this exact same issue! After reading through everyone's experiences here, I decided to try a combination approach. Following Miguel and Danielle's timing advice, I checked WMR at 6 AM this morning and actually got through - turns out my refund status had updated overnight even though I'd been getting error 428 for over a week. For anyone still stuck with this error, here's what I learned: the transcript method Hattie mentioned is absolutely the way to go for peace of mind. Mine showed processing codes even when WMR was completely broken. Also, don't underestimate the power of trying different devices - I had no luck on my phone or laptop, but my work computer accessed it fine (probably different IP/network routing). The frustrating part is how inconsistent this error is - it's clearly a capacity/traffic issue on the IRS side, not something wrong with our returns. But at least now I know my refund is coming! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions.

I've been wrestling with error 428 for almost two weeks now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's experiences, I tried the early morning approach that Miguel and others suggested - checked at 5:45 AM today and finally got through! My refund status had actually updated to "approved" even though I'd been getting the error for days. The transcript method Hattie recommended was a game-changer for my peace of mind. While WMR was completely broken, my transcript showed transaction code 150 (return processed) and code 846 (refund issued) three days before WMR ever worked again. For anyone still dealing with this: don't panic about the 428 error itself - it's definitely a system capacity issue, not a problem with your return. The combination of checking during off-peak hours (early morning works best) and monitoring your transcript instead of relying solely on WMR seems to be the most effective approach. Also, clearing your browser data completely (not just cache) and trying from a different network/device can sometimes break through the error loop. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - this community support made a stressful situation much more manageable!

I'm experiencing the exact same error 428 issue and this thread has been incredibly valuable! After reading everyone's solutions, I'm planning to try the early morning approach (around 6 AM) that Miguel, Danielle, Mia, and Sofia have had success with. It makes perfect sense that the system would be less congested during off-peak hours. I'm also going to set up transcript access tonight following Hattie's suggestion - it sounds like that's the most reliable way to actually see what's happening with your return when WMR is acting up. The fact that multiple people found their returns were processing normally (and even completed) while still getting 428 errors is both reassuring and frustrating. Has anyone noticed if certain types of returns (simple vs complex, different filing software, etc.) seem more prone to this error, or does it appear to be completely random based on server load? I filed a relatively straightforward return through TurboTax, so I'm hoping it's just a matter of timing and persistence. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed troubleshooting steps - this community support is far more helpful than anything I've found in the official IRS documentation!

I've been dealing with error 428 for the past week and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! After trying multiple approaches mentioned here, I finally had a breakthrough this morning. Following the early morning timing strategy that Miguel, Sofia, and others have had success with, I checked WMR at 5:30 AM and got through on my second attempt. What's interesting is that I had been getting the 428 error consistently for 8 days straight, but my transcript (set up using Hattie's detailed instructions) had been showing normal processing the entire time with code 150. For anyone still struggling with this error, here's my consolidated approach based on what worked from everyone's suggestions: 1. Set up transcript access first for peace of mind - it's way more reliable than WMR during these system issues 2. Try accessing WMR between 5:30-6:30 AM EST when server load is lowest 3. Use a completely fresh browser session (incognito mode) or try a different device/network 4. Don't panic if you keep getting 428 - based on everyone's experiences here, it's purely a system capacity issue, not a problem with your actual return The most frustrating part is that my refund had actually been approved and was in final processing stages while WMR was still throwing errors! This community has provided better troubleshooting guidance than any official IRS resource. Thanks to everyone who shared their detailed experiences and solutions!