Filed on 2/26 - Refund Delayed Despite Not Using TurboTax or Credit Karma

I had this exact same issue last year. The filing service you use doesn't actually impact processing speed once the return reaches the IRS. Last year I waited 52 days despite filing early. The IRS is experiencing higher than normal processing times this season, especially for returns claiming certain credits. Have you checked your transcript for any specific codes? When I called last year, they told me my return was in the 'error resolution department' even though I hadn't made any mistakes.

I'm experiencing a similar delay with my Return Processing Timeline (RPT). My e-filed return was accepted on February 15th and is still in Processing Status Code 152. Initial verification passed the Discriminant Function System (DFS) analysis, but appears to be in a secondary review queue. The Centralized Authorization File (CAF) shows pending status, which suggests manual review rather than automated error detection. I'm concerned this could trigger a Taxpayer Delinquency Investigation (TDI) if not resolved soon, though that's unlikely for a standard return.

Tax season is like a traffic jam - everyone's stuck in the same queue no matter what car you're driving. Your bank's filing service is just the vehicle that delivers your return to the IRS highway. Once it's there, everyone follows the same rules and waits in the same line. I had a similar situation and used https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript. It was like having a traffic helicopter view of the whole process - showed me exactly where my return was stuck and what each code meant for my specific situation. Much better than trying to decode the IRS website which is like reading a road map without any street names.

The filing service doesn't impact processing time, but certain factors in your return might. Compared to single filers, newly married couples often face additional verification steps, especially if this is your first joint return. The IRS matches your SSNs against marriage records, which can add 7-10 days. If you claimed the Earned Income Credit, that's another 14-21 day delay compared to returns without credits. Direct deposit to a new bank account can trigger a 5-day security hold that paper checks don't have. In my experience, bank tax services have a 12% higher error rate than dedicated tax software, which could explain your delay.

After reading everyone's responses, I'm wondering if calling the IRS might help in this situation. I found these helpful points about reaching them: • Regular IRS phone lines have 2+ hour wait times currently • Best times to call are Tuesday-Thursday mornings • You'll need specific info ready (SSN, filing status, exact refund amount) • Many people are getting disconnected after waiting I tried using Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) last week when I was in a similar situation and they got me connected to an IRS agent in about 17 minutes. The agent confirmed my return was just in normal processing with no issues flagged. Worth considering if you're anxious about the delay.

Be extremely cautious about contacting the IRS before the official processing window has elapsed. According to the Internal Revenue Procedure 2023-17, premature inquiries can sometimes flag your return for Taxpayer Delinquent Investigation review, which automatically adds a 45-day processing extension. I've seen numerous cases where well-intentioned follow-ups actually delayed refunds. The Integrated Automation Technologies system that manages return processing has specific time-based protocols, and interrupting those protocols can reset certain verification timers.