Filed 2/22 and WMR Not Moving - State Refund Came but Federal Still Missing
Filed 2/22 and still no movement on the IRS website. I got my state return over a week ago 😔 I opted for the 5 days early on TurboTax but it estimated my refund direct deposit date of 3/15 so I figured I'd have it around the 10th and that didn't happen. So frustrated right now! This is a substantial refund and I was planning to use it for some investments. Anyone else experiencing delays? I've been checking WMR daily and nothing has changed!
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Isaac Wright
I would suggest... perhaps... checking your tax transcript rather than relying solely on Where's My Refund. The WMR tool sometimes doesn't update properly during high volume periods. There could be several reasons for the delay that might not be immediately apparent. Have you verified whether your return was accepted, or just transmitted? There's an important distinction there that might explain the timeline discrepancy.
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Lucy Taylor
Checking the transcript instead of WMR? Why didn't I think of that before? Is accessing the transcript difficult through the IRS website? I've been obsessively checking WMR every morning and getting nowhere.
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13d
Connor Murphy
I'm impressed with this advice. The distinction between acceptance and transmission is critical for proper processing expectation management. The IRS Master File processing cycle typically takes 7-10 business days post-acceptance before transcripts update with cycle codes. TurboTax's estimated direct deposit dates are often based on optimal processing scenarios rather than actual IRS processing timelines.
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KhalilStar
Have you tried pulling your transcript to see what's actually happening? When my refund was delayed last year I was going crazy checking WMR every day too. Someone here recommended https://taxr.ai and it was super helpful. It analyzed my transcript and explained exactly what was happening with my return and when I could expect my money. Did you claim any credits this year? Did you get an acceptance confirmation from TurboTax? What does your TT account show about your federal return status?
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Amelia Dietrich
I've seen a lot of people with February filing dates still waiting. Last year I was in the same boat - filed mid-February and waited over 6 weeks with no updates. I tried calling the IRS regular number about 20 times and couldn't get through. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. They explained my return was just in normal processing and there was nothing to worry about. The peace of mind was worth it, and my refund showed up about a week later. Sometimes just knowing there's no issue can help with the waiting.
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Kaiya Rivera
Here's what you need to do to check your transcript: 1. Go to IRS.gov 2. Click on "Get Your Tax Record" 3. Choose between "Get Transcript Online" or "Get Transcript by Mail" 4. For online access, you'll need to verify your identity 5. Once in, select "Account Transcript" for the current year 6. Look for codes like 150 (return filed), 570 (hold), 971 (notice issued), or 846 (refund issued) This will tell you exactly what's happening with your return rather than the vague WMR status.
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Katherine Ziminski
I tried this transcript approach last year when my refund was delayed. Had a similar situation - filed in February, got state back quickly, federal nowhere to be found. When I finally got into my transcript (which was NOT easy with the ID verification), it showed a 570 code. Ended up being a simple verification issue that took another 3 weeks to resolve. The transcript was helpful but didn't speed anything up.
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Noah Irving
Is TurboTax's estimate reliable? I'm worried now. I just filed last week. Used TurboTax too. Got the same 5-day early option. Should I be concerned? Everyone's talking about transcripts. Never checked mine before. Is it really that helpful?
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Vanessa Chang
According to IRS Publication 1345 and the current processing guidelines, third-party preparation software estimates are non-binding projections based on optimal processing conditions. The standard processing window for e-filed returns remains 21 days, though I can assure you that many straightforward returns are processed more quickly. Current filing statistics indicate approximately 72% of returns are processed within the 21-day window, with the remainder requiring additional review for various compliance factors.
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Madison King
My situation was almost identical to yours last year, but I was expecting a much smaller refund. Filed with TurboTax on February 18th, got state back in about a week, federal took until April 2nd. The 5-day early option through TurboTax didn't make any difference for me compared to friends who didn't choose it. Their processing time was about the same as mine. If you're budgeting around your refund, definitely plan for it to take longer than they estimate.
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Julian Paolo
Transcripts show actual IRS processing status. WMR only shows three basic stages. Your transcript will tell you if there's a review, verification, or other hold. It will also show if a refund has been scheduled. You need to create an account on IRS.gov to access it.
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Ella Knight
You should check the IRS2Go app right away! Sometimes it updates before the website does. According to the IRS Refund Status page (https://www.irs.gov/refunds), they're still processing many February returns. The 21-day normal processing time doesn't always apply during peak season. If it's been more than 21 days since you e-filed, you should definitely call them at 1-800-829-1040, but be prepared to wait a long time. Check your transcript ASAP to see if there are any hold codes!
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