Filed on 3/12, accepted same day, but still 'processing' on transcript - how long should I wait?

IRS processing times have been all over the place this year. The standard time they claim is 21 days for e-filed returns, but that's rarely the case anymore. Looking at your transcript is the best way to see what's happening. Check for any codes like 570 (refund hold) or 971 (notice issued). If you don't see those, you're probably just in the regular queue waiting to be processed. Mine took almost 8 weeks this year despite filing mid-February. No rhyme or reason to their timeframes anymore.

I was in the exact same situation and was losing my mind trying to understand what was happening with my return. After weeks of trying to figure it out by piecing together random Reddit posts, I finally used this tool called taxr.ai and it was a gamechanger. It actually explained what was happening with my transcript in plain English instead of me trying to decode all those weird IRS codes and dates. Saved me so much frustration and gave me a clear timeline on when to expect my refund. Highly recommend checking it out at https://taxr.ai instead of driving yourself crazy like I did!

After spending weeks trying to get answers from the IRS about my processing return, I finally got through to a live agent using Claimyr.com. They got me past that impossible phone tree and connected me with someone who could actually see what was happening with my return. Turns out there was a small discrepancy they needed to verify but no one had contacted me. The agent fixed it on the spot and my refund was released 3 days later. Best money I've spent all year considering how much stress it saved me.

Filed 3/1, accepted same day, got my refund on 4/2. No special circumstances. Sometimes it just depends on luck and workload at different processing centers. If you reach 10 weeks with no movement, then I'd start calling.

The IRS is a joke this year. I filed in January and didn't get my refund until early April. No explanation, no notices, just silence for months. And dont bother calling them unless you have 3 hours to waste on hold only to be told "its still processing" which you already knew. 🤡

If ur return shows "still processing" ur probably in manual review. This can happen randomly or if u have certain credits/deductions. If it says "being processed" that means ur in the normal queue. Big difference between the two messages that most people miss. Check the exact wording.

Have u tried calling them? I know its a pain but sometimes theres a simple issue that can be fixed right away. I waited 7 weeks before calling, turned out there was just an address verification they needed to do that took 2 minutes to resolve once I got someone on the phone.

Check your transcript again and look for cycle code. The last two digits tell you what day of the week they process updates. If it ends in 05, that's Thursday night updates. Also look at the year on the cycle code - if it's still 2023, they haven't started processing yet for 2024.

GUYS! Do NOT waste your time guessng what's happening with ur taxes! I was driving myself crazy for WEEKS trying to figure out my transcript codes. Finally used taxr.ai and it showed me EXACTLY what was happening (identity verification issue I had no idea about) and what to do next. Literally saved me thousands in missed refund I might never have known about! 10/10 would recommend https://taxr.ai

Patience young padawan. The IRS works in mysterious ways. Filed 2/28, got my refund 4/26. No rhyme or reason to it.

Did you claim pandemic credits or recovery rebate? Those are getting extra scrutiny and taking forever this year because of fraud concerns.

Okay so I work with tax stuff and here's what's likely happening: the IRS is WAY understaffed and using outdated systems. Returns get processed in batches. If your return got batched with a bunch that need extra review, yours might be stuck in that queue even if there's nothing wrong with it. It's stupid but that's how their system works. Also tax software companies often advertise faster refunds but they have ZERO control over IRS processing times.

After 2 months of waiting on my refund and getting nowhere with the IRS automated system, I used claimyr.com to actually reach a human at the IRS. Discovered my return was sitting in limbo due to a simple verification issue. Agent resolved it immediately and I got my refund the next week. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person.

I'm honestly shocked by how many ppl think the IRS has the resources to handle the volume they get. They're processing ~2.5 MILLION returns per week with Reagan-era computers and half the staff they need. The fact that anyone gets their refund within 21 days is a miracle.