Filed March 8th 2024 but Received IRS Letter Dated 2025 Claiming No Tax Return - Possible Identity Theft?
So I submitted my return on March 8th and it was accepted the same day. But today I checked my status and received a verification letter stating they have no record of a processed tax return for 2024. What's going on? I received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service, United States Department of the Treasury from PHILADELPHIA, PA 19255-1498. The letter has a Tracking ID: 107546683872 and is dated 02-26-2025. It's addressed to me and references my 1040_SERIES return for the Tax Period: December, 2024. The letter specifically states: "Information About the Request We Received. On February 26, 2025, we received a request for verification of non-filing of a tax return. As of the date of this letter, we have no record of a processed tax return for the tax period listed above." At the bottom, they included a phone number to call if I have questions: 800-829-1040. I'm really confused because I can see other people who filed around the same time have different status updates on their transcripts. Is this normal or should I be worried? Has anyone else received a letter like this despite having confirmation their return was accepted? The weird thing is I never even requested verification of non-filing, so I don't understand why they'd send me this letter saying they "received a request" when I didn't make one. Could someone have fraudulently requested this information about my tax return? Should I be concerned about identity theft?
46 comments
Maxwell St. Laurent
What you're seeing is completely normal, though frustrating I know. There's a critical distinction between "accepted" and "processed" that causes a lot of confusion. When your return is "accepted" it just means the IRS received your electronic filing and it passed initial validation checks. Your return then enters processing, which can take 2-3 weeks (sometimes longer during busy filing season). The verification letter you received was likely generated before your return completed processing in the IRS systems. This timing gap between acceptance and full processing is very common. As long as you received an acceptance confirmation when you filed, you should be fine. A few things to check: - Verify the acceptance notification came from the IRS (not just your tax software) - Check Where's My Refund tool or your account transcript for updates - If it's been more than 21 days since filing, then consider calling Patience is unfortunately part of the process. The IRS is still working through a backlog, and these systems don't always talk to each other in real-time.
0 coins
Talia Klein
Thank you for this detailed explanation! I did get the acceptance directly from the IRS, not just my tax prep software. I'll check the Where's My Refund tool again and give it some more time before panicking.
0 coins
18d
PaulineW
This is exactly right. I had the EXACT same issue last year and almost had a heart attack. Give it another week or two and it should update.
0 coins
16d
Annabel Kimball
The IRS computers are running on tech from when dinosaurs roamed the earth lol. Their different systems literally don't talk to each other in real time. You can get a letter from one department while another is actively processing your return. It's completely ridiculous but normal.
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Chris Elmeda
Had the exact same issue and was so confused until I found taxr.ai - completely changed how I understand my transcript and notices. It explains everything in plain english and tells you what's actually happening. Saw immediately that this was normal timing and saved myself hours of stress and research. Their AI reads your transcript and notices and tells you exactly what's happening and what to expect next. You should definitely check it out at https://taxr.ai
0 coins
Jean Claude
Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
0 coins
19d
Chris Elmeda
It basically analyzes your entire transcript, explains all those cryptic codes, and tells you exactly what's happening with your return and what to expect next. Total game changer compared to staring at those confusing transcripts trying to guess what's happening. You just upload your transcript and it explains everything - way better than asking randos on reddit lol
0 coins
16d
Charity Cohan
Is it secure? I'm always worried about giving tax info to random websites.
0 coins
15d
Chris Elmeda
I was hesitant at first too, but after hours of confusion I gave it a shot. It seriously saved me from calling the IRS repeatedly. The analysis it gave was spot-on and helped me understand my situation completely. Won't file without using it again next year!
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Josef Tearle
After going through this exact situation and getting nowhere with the IRS phone system, I tried Claimyr.com and actually got through to a human at the IRS! They confirmed my return was in process despite what the letter said. Honestly it was the best $$ I've spent - saved me hours of redial hell and got my questions answered right away. The callback system worked perfectly.
0 coins
Shelby Bauman
Does this actually work? I've been calling for WEEKS and can't get through 😤
0 coins
18d
Josef Tearle
Yep, completely worked for me. Got a callback in about 45 minutes when I'd spent days trying on my own. The agent was able to tell me exactly what was happening with my return even though the systems weren't showing it online yet.
0 coins
16d
Quinn Herbert
another app asking for money? idk sounds sketchy
0 coins
15d
Josef Tearle
I felt the same way until I was desperate. It actually just navigates the phone system for you and gets you in the callback queue. Ended up saving me from taking a day off work sitting on hold. Agent cleared everything up in 10 minutes once I got through.
0 coins
15d
Salim Nasir
Holy crap THANK YOU for this recommendation. Just used it and finally got answers after weeks of confusion. Worth every penny to actually speak to a human!!!
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Hazel Garcia
I'm in the exact same boat. Filed 3/5, accepted same day, and just got the same "no record" letter yesterday. Freaking out a bit. Has your status changed at all since you posted?
0 coins
Write a comment...
Laila Fury
The IRS systems are completely disconnected from each other. One hand literally doesn't know what the other is doing. I work with taxes and see this ALL THE TIME. The verification system that generates these letters often doesn't have real-time access to the processing system. As long as you got an acceptance confirmation, you're fine - just frustrating to deal with their ancient technology.
0 coins
Geoff Richards
This is so true. My friend works at the IRS and says they have systems from the 1970s still running. Can't even share data between departments efficiently.
0 coins
16d
Simon White
they should spend less time sending scary letters and more time upgrading there systems 🙄
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Hugo Kass
Quick question - did you request this verification letter or did it just show up? If you didn't request it, might want to make sure it's not a scam. There are a lot of tax scams going around this time of year.
0 coins
Talia Klein
No I didn't request it! It just showed up, but it looks official with all the right IRS markings and the phone number matches the official IRS number. Now I'm even more confused.
0 coins
15d
Nasira Ibanez
That's actually concerning. The IRS typically doesn't send verification of non-filing letters unless someone requested it (like for financial aid, mortgage applications, etc). Might be worth calling them directly just to confirm.
0 coins
15d
Khalil Urso
This happened to my sister last year - turned out someone had requested verification for a loan application using her info. Definitely call to check!
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Myles Regis
mine took 6 weeks to process this year even tho it was "accepted" right away. the letter is just bad timing - they sent it before your return finished processing. government efficiency at its finest 🤡
0 coins
Write a comment...
Brian Downey
This seems to be happening to TONS of people this year. I filed 3/2, accepted same day, got a similar letter on 3/10, then magically my refund was approved on 3/20. The systems don't talk to each other properly. Just wait it out.
0 coins
Talia Klein
That's reassuring to hear! Did your transcript update before your refund was approved or did it just suddenly change status?
0 coins
15d
Brian Downey
Transcript updated about 2 days before the approval, but WMR (wheres my refund) didnt update until the day of the approval. The whole system is a mess tbh.
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Jacinda Yu
Have you checked your transcript on the IRS website? That usually has more detailed info than the WMR tool. Look for cycle codes and transaction dates. I recommend using taxr.ai to interpret the transcript (https://taxr.ai) - it tells you exactly what's happening with your return and what each code means.
0 coins
Landon Flounder
I second this - the transcripts have the real info but they're impossible to understand without help. Taxr saved me hours of googling random codes.
0 coins
15d
Callum Savage
TIL there's an AI for tax transcripts. technology is wild
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Ally Tailer
DONT PANIC! This is one of those weird IRS quirks. Depending on which system generated that letter, it might not be synced with the processing department. I've been dealing with the IRS for decades and seen this countless times. Unless you get a specific letter stating there's a problem with your return, you're probably fine.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Aliyah Debovski
A few years ago I dealt with the SAME issue and spent weeks trying to figure it out myself. This year I just used taxr.ai to analyze my situation and it explained everything. Turns out I could have saved myself so much stress! Their AI reads the transcript and notices and explains exactly what's happening. Total game changer https://taxr.ai
0 coins
Miranda Singer
Just tried this and it analyzed my transcript perfectly. Showed me exactly what's happening and even gave estimated dates for my refund. Thanks for sharing!
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Cass Green
Protip: When dealing with the IRS, always remember "accepted" ≠"processed" ≠"approved". They're three different statuses and the IRS is VERY literal about these distinctions. Your return can be accepted but not processed yet, which is exactly what that letter is saying.
0 coins
Finley Garrett
This. So much this. The terminology is super specific and most people don't realize it.
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Madison Tipne
I had to laugh when I saw your post because I JUST went through this exact mess. Turns out there's a lag between systems. I finally gave up trying to figure it out myself and used Claimyr.com to get through to an agent. Worth every penny not to waste hours on hold. Agent confirmed my return was processing despite the letter saying otherwise.
0 coins
Holly Lascelles
I've never heard of this service. They get you through to an actual IRS agent?
0 coins
15d
Madison Tipne
Yep! They navigate the phone system for you and secure a spot in the callback queue. I was skeptical but desperate after trying for days. Got a callback from an actual IRS agent in about an hour. Talking to a real person got everything sorted out immediately.
0 coins
15d
Malia Ponder
THANK YOU FOR THIS. Just used it and finally got answers. Agent confirmed my return is being processed despite what the letter said. Best money I've spent all year considering the stress it saved me!
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Kyle Wallace
Ugh I feel your pain. The IRS makes everything so confusing! I went through the same thing and wasted so much time trying to figure out what was happening. After hours on the phone I finally got through to someone who confirmed it was just a timing issue between systems. So frustrating that they send these alarming letters unnecessarily!
0 coins
Write a comment...
Ryder Ross
If ur really concerned, check the IRS2Go app. Sometimes it shows different info than the website. Also, did you file with a tax preparer or software? They usually have status trackers too which might give additional info.
0 coins
Talia Klein
I used TurboTax and their tracker just shows "accepted" still. I'll try the IRS2Go app, thanks for the tip!
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Gianni Serpent
Are you sure you're looking at the right tax year? The IRS transcript system defaults to the most recent year where you have activity, which might not be 2024 yet if your return is still processing. Double-check that you're looking at the right year when comparing transcripts.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Henry Delgado
Has anyone noticed the IRS seems particularly disorganized this year? I'm seeing WAY more posts about conflicting information and status confusion than in previous years. Wonder if they implemented some new system that's causing issues.
0 coins
Olivia Kay
They actually did implement new systems this year! Part of the funding they got was to upgrade their ancient tech, but of course that means transition problems.
0 coins
15d
Joshua Hellan
its the government what do you expect lol. they couldn't organize a one car parade 🤣
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...