Filed 2/3 - No DDD While Later Filers Already Have Dates - Transcript Verification Loop?

The IRS is using a non-sequential processing algorithm this tax season. Your return is likely caught in what's called a "silent review" status - where the system is verifying certain elements without generating a formal notice. These silent holds typically manifest as TC 570 codes that aren't visible until transcript generation. Multiple verification prompts for transcript access is actually a separate authentication issue with the IRS identity verification protocols, not directly related to your refund timeline.

Several questions to help diagnose your situation: • Did you claim any refundable credits (EIC, CTC, AOTC)? • Have you checked your transcript for specific codes (570/971)? • Have you received any correspondence via USPS? • Did you authorize a third-party preparer? • Is this your first time filing with this specific AGI range? These factors significantly impact processing prioritization in the current tax season.

I claimed the education credit (AOTC) and standard deduction applicable to my filing status. My transcript still shows N/A for 2023, which is why I'm frustrated about having to repeatedly verify my identity just to check it. Haven't received any physical mail from the IRS. I used the same tax preparation software as last year, self-prepared. My AGI increased by approximately 17% from last year due to a promotion, but I'm still in the same general income bracket. It's like my return is stuck in processing purgatory while others zoom through the system.

After dealing with this exact situation last year, I finally gave up on the regular IRS phone line (spent 4+ hours on hold). Used Claimyr.com to get through to an agent in about 15 minutes. Worth every penny. The agent confirmed my return was in manual review due to the AOTC claim, explained exactly which department had it, and gave me a realistic timeline. Saved me weeks of anxiety wondering what was happening. Here's their link: https://claimyr.com

Did your tax software give you any specific acknowledgment code when you filed? Sometimes there are clues in those initial acceptance messages that hint at potential review flags. Also, have you checked the Where's My Refund tool? Does it show the first bar, or is it giving you a generic message?

The AOTC is almost certainly what's causing this. I've been through this three years in a row now. The IRS has been heavily scrutinizing education credits since 2021 after they found widespread errors and fraud. They don't process these returns in strict date order - they batch them by credit type and review status. My tax professional explained that returns with certain credits get sorted into different processing tracks. It's infuriating but unfortunately normal. Last year my return took 63 days to process with AOTC while my partner's basic return (filed same day) took 11 days.

Anyone else remember when the IRS actually processed returns in the order received? Those were the days. I was in your exact situation last year - filed 2/1, had AOTC, and watched as later filers got their refunds. Know when mine finally processed? April 11th. Why? Because they were doing extra verification on the education credit. But here's the good news - once it cleared that verification, the refund came within 4 days. And this year? Filed 2/5, got my refund on 2/14. The difference? No education credits this time.