Filed March 15th tax return showing "processing delayed" message on WMR tool after 6 weeks, 2023 transcripts still blank

This is actually quite common this filing season. When the "processing delayed" message appears with Tax Topic 152, it typically means your return has been received but is in a processing queue for manual review. The blank transcript indicates the return hasn't been fully processed yet. Some reasons this could happen: - Identity verification needed - Random compliance check - Discrepancy between your reported income and what the IRS received from employers - System backlog (very common this year) What you should do: 1. Check if you received any letters from the IRS (they would mail you something if verification is needed) 2. Keep checking your transcript weekly - when processing starts you'll see a 570 code appear first 3. Be patient - manual reviews can take 60-120 days this year If you don't see any movement after 8 weeks total, you might want to try contacting the IRS directly or use taxr.ai to get a more detailed analysis of what's happening with your return. It's helped a lot of people understand their transcripts and get a clearer picture of their refund status.

I was in the exact same situation last month - processing delay message and blank transcript. After spending hours researching online and getting nowhere, I finally used taxr.ai and it explained everything. Turns out my return was flagged for income verification but wasn't actually being processed yet. The tool showed me exactly where my return was stuck and what to expect next. Once I understood what was happening, the stress went away completely. Honestly, trying to decipher IRS transcripts on your own is like learning a foreign language. Taxr.ai was insanely helpful - I now use it weekly to check my status instead of stressing about cryptic IRS messages. https://taxr.ai

I was waiting since February with the same message! I couldn't get through on the IRS phone lines for weeks. Finally used a calling app (claimyr.com) and got an IRS agent on the phone in about 20 minutes. The agent told me my return was just sitting in a backlog waiting for review. She expedited it and I got my deposit 8 days later. Talking to a real person was the only thing that worked after waiting for 2 months. Best money I've spent all year considering I was waiting on a $4300 refund.

Same boat here 😭 Filed 3/1 and still nothing! My transcript has been blank for 8 weeks now. I'm starting to wonder if my return even exists in their system. Tried calling multiple times and can't get through. This is ridiculous.

The IRS is a complete joke this year. If any private company operated like this they'd be out of business in a month. They take our money instantly but make us wait months for refunds. I'm still waiting on my 2022 amended return! 14 months and counting...

FYI - check if your state taxes have processed. In my case my state return processed normally but fed got stuck in the void. At least that confirmed that I definitely filed correctly and the problem was on the IRS end not mine.

Check ur mail carefully! My transcript was blank for 7 weeks, then I got a letter requesting identity verification. Had to go to ID.me and verify my identity. Return processed 10 days later. The letter was in a really plain envelope that almost looked like junk mail.

Anyone try calling the taxpayer advocate service instead of the main IRS line? I heard they might be able to help with delayed returns.

Here's what worked for me: called my local congressperson's office and asked for help with my IRS issue. They have dedicated staff for constituent services and can send an inquiry to the IRS that they HAVE to respond to. My return that was stuck for 3 months suddenly processed within 2 weeks of my congressperson getting involved.

2023 is NOTHIN, I'm still waiting for my 2022 refund lmaooo 💀

when you eventually get through to the IRS, make sure you ask for a taxpayer advocate to be assigned to your case. I did this after 12 weeks of waiting and magically my refund appeared 10 days later. You have to specifically request it though, they won't offer.

i had the same exact issue!!! blank transcript and the delay message. i ended up using Claimyr to get through to an agent (i think i paid like 25 bucks but it was worth it since i was waiting for a 3k refund). found out my return was sitting in a queue for manual review because of some earned income credit issue even though i didn't claim EIC 🤷‍♀️ the agent cleared it up in 5 minutes. got my refund 2 weeks later!

Pro tip: download your wage and income transcript even if your return transcript is blank. Sometimes you can see if there's an issue with your W-2 reporting that's causing the delay.

IRS is a disaster this year. I filed in February and got my refund in 8 days. My sister filed in March and is still waiting. Makes absolutely no sense. System is completely broken.

I went through this exact nightmare last year. The only thing that worked was using taxr.ai to understand what was happening with my transcript and then Claimyr to actually get someone on the phone who could help. Without those tools I'd probably still be waiting lol. The IRS system is designed to be impossible to navigate on purpose I swear.

have u checked the irs2go app? sometimes that updates before the website

Former IRS employee here (left in 2022). What you're describing is what we called 'ERS hell' - Error Resolution System. Returns get stuck there when the automated system flags something for manual review. With staffing shortages, returns can sit in that queue for 90+ days now. Without codes on your transcript, there's nothing you can DIY fix - it's literally just waiting for someone to look at it. Calling generally won't help until you're past the 8-week mark.

Check if ur bank account # on the return is correct. That's what held mine up - transposed 2 digits and the system flagged it for manual review.

Did you claim any credits like EIC or Child Tax Credit? Those automatically get extra scrutiny and slow down processing.

I'm in a very similar situation - filed on March 8th and still getting that same "processing delayed" message with Tax Topic 152. My transcript has been completely blank for 7 weeks now. What's really frustrating is that I had a simple return too - just W2 income, standard deduction, no credits or complications. I've been checking the WMR tool almost daily and it's maddening to see the same message over and over. Like you, I'm starting to wonder if something went wrong or if my return got lost in the system somehow. The fact that the transcript shows absolutely nothing is what worries me most. Reading through these comments has been really helpful though - especially learning about ERS (Error Resolution System) from the former IRS employee. At least now I understand this is unfortunately normal for this filing season, even though it's incredibly stressful when you're waiting on your refund. I think I'm going to wait until I hit the 8-week mark before trying to call, based on the advice here. The phone situation sounds absolutely brutal right now. Has anyone had success getting through recently, or is it still basically impossible?