Filed 1/22, Accepted 2/12 - Transcript Unavailable but Can Order 2020 - WMR Still on First Bar
I'm seeking to identify other taxpayers in a similar processing situation. I submitted my return electronically on January 22, 2024, with IRS acceptance confirmation received on February 12. Current status: unable to access current year transcripts online, though I can successfully order 2020 documentation by mail. Where's My Refund tool displays first processing bar only. Has anyone else encountered this specific combination of circumstances? I'd appreciate information regarding timeline expectations or resolution experiences.
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Yuki Watanabe
I'm in EXACTLY the same situation. Filed on January 19th, accepted February 10th. It's been precisely 38 days since acceptance and I'm still stuck on the first bar. Called the IRS exactly 7 times - average wait time 97 minutes. I need this refund by April 3rd for property tax payment. Transcript shows N/A for 2023 but I can access 2020-2022 no problem. This is absolutely maddening when you're on a deadline!
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Carmen Sanchez
Could you please tell me what steps you took when calling the IRS? Did you select specific options in their phone menu? I've been trying to get through but keep getting disconnected after waiting for 30+ minutes. First I press 1 for English, then 2 for tax questions, but after that I'm not sure which option is best...
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18d
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Ethan Campbell
Per Internal Revenue Manual 21.4.1.3, transcript availability delays are common during peak processing periods. When transcript systems show "N/A" while WMR shows "Return Received," this typically indicates your return is in the processing queue but hasn't completed initial verification per Sec. 6011 requirements. If you need immediate verification of your filing status, I recommend Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) to reach an IRS representative. Their service bypasses the standard hold times, which according to Treasury Inspector General reports are currently averaging 72+ minutes. I've found this particularly effective when needing clarification on returns stuck in this specific processing stage.
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Andre Dupont
Is this actually legitimate? IRS phone systems are designed to manage call volume. No service should be able to bypass this. Sounds like a way to get people to pay for something they can do themselves with patience.
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16d
Zoe Papadakis
I was skeptical too based on previous experiences with "priority" services that didn't deliver. Last year my return was stuck for 49 days. Tried calling 8 times myself before using Claimyr. The difference was they actually got me through to a real person who confirmed my return was flagged for manual review due to a W-2 mismatch. Wouldn't have known that otherwise.
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ThunderBolt7
Would this work if I'm calling about my father's return? He authorized me as a third-party designee on his return, but I'm not sure if that's enough for the IRS to speak with me about his specific case?
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Jamal Edwards
Thank you for sharing this info! I've been trying to get through to the IRS for what feels like forever. A bit worried about: • Cost vs. benefit • Whether they'll actually have answers • If it's worth trying now or waiting another week But might give it a shot anyway.
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Mei Chen
I think I might be in a similar situation as you, but I'm not entirely sure? My return was accepted around the same time (February 15th), and I also have the one bar on WMR. I can see my 2020 transcript, but not 2023. I'm wondering if maybe there's some kind of backlog happening with the processing system? Or perhaps there's something about our returns that's triggering additional review?
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Liam O'Sullivan
Did you claim any credits like the Child Tax Credit (CTC) or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)? These typically trigger PATH Act verification protocols which delay processing by a minimum of 15 business days. The system might be showing different transcript availability during this verification period.
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Amara Okonkwo
Oh my goodness, I'm so relieved to see I'm not alone! I was getting really worried! My husband and I filed on January 24th, accepted February 13th, and we're in the EXACT same boat. WMR first bar, can see old transcripts but not 2023. I nearly cried yesterday thinking something was wrong with our return! 😭
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Giovanni Marino
Filed January 21st, accepted February 11th. My transcript was unavailable until March 15th - exactly 32 days after acceptance. I needed my refund for mortgage payments due April 1st. When my transcript finally appeared, I used https://taxr.ai to analyze it and discovered I had a 570 code (additional account action pending) that was holding things up. The tool explained exactly what was happening and predicted my release date correctly. My refund was deposited on March 22nd. If your transcript becomes available, I'd recommend using it to understand what's happening rather than guessing.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
Another tax tool? How is this any different from just reading the IRS explanation of transcript codes? Seems like everyone's trying to make money off people's tax anxiety these days.
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Dylan Hughes
It's not just code definitions - it analyzes the combination of codes, dates, and amounts to give you a personalized explanation. The IRS site just gives generic descriptions, not what it means for your specific situation or timeline.
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NightOwl42
I think what makes it different is it tells you what the combination of codes means for your specific situation. Like if you have a 570 followed by a 971, that means something different than just a 570 alone. The IRS explanations don't connect these patterns.
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Sofia Rodriguez
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this "twin filer" situation is super common this year. The IRS is like a giant sloth processing returns right now! 🐌 I've seen dozens of posts with the exact same pattern - January filing, February acceptance, stuck on first bar, no transcript. The system is clearly backed up worse than my uncle's plumbing after Thanksgiving dinner. I wouldn't start worrying until you hit the 45-day mark, honestly.
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Dmitry Ivanov
You're definitely not alone! I was in the exact same boat - it was like being stuck in tax purgatory. My return was like a letter dropped into a black hole - confirmation it was mailed but no idea where it went after that. Filed Jan 25, accepted Feb 14, and nothing but crickets until March 18. The transcript situation is actually a good sign - it's like the IRS computer system knows you exist but hasn't fully processed your paperwork yet. Mine suddenly updated all at once after about 5 weeks.
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Ava Thompson
Same experience here! Nothing for 6 weeks then BAM - transcript appeared, WMR updated to approved, and refund deposited all within 4 days. It was like the IRS suddenly remembered I existed. The waiting is the worst part, but it does eventually resolve.
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Miguel Herrera
The transcript availability issue specifically happens because your return hasn't completed initial processing. Once it clears that stage, your transcript becomes available and usually shows several updates all at once.
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Zainab Ali
Just to clarify - being able to order previous years while current year shows N/A is completely normal during processing. The systems that handle transcript display vs. actual processing are separate.
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Connor Murphy
Did you receive any letters from the IRS during the waiting period? I'm wondering if I should be watching my mailbox or if everything will just happen electronically.
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Yara Nassar
Based on what I've seen in this community over the past few months, your situation follows a common pattern this tax season. Many filers from late January are experiencing extended processing times. Several factors might be influencing this: 1. The IRS implemented new verification protocols for 2023 returns 2. Returns with certain credits are taking longer to process 3. The transcript system updates separately from the WMR tool Most people in your situation are seeing movement around the 35-45 day mark. The inability to view current year transcripts while being able to access previous years is actually a normal part of the process - it indicates your return is in the system but hasn't completed initial verification yet.
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StarGazer101
Does claiming the standard deduction vs. itemizing affect processing time? I'm wondering if that's why some returns seem to go through faster than others.
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Keisha Jackson
Have you noticed if people who file with certain tax software get processed faster? I used TaxAct this year instead of TurboTax and wondering if that's related to my delay.
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Paolo Romano
Is there any pattern to which processing centers are moving faster? I know my return went to the Austin center based on my state.
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Amina Diop
What's the latest you've seen someone wait before they should take additional action like calling or submitting a taxpayer advocate request?
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10d
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