Had to verify identity with TAS after blank transcripts and no updates - finally got answers

Tax professional here. You took exactly the right approach. When transcripts are blank after filing, it typically means one of several things: identity verification needed, income verification, or your return is in a processing queue that hasn't been entered into the system yet. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) can be extremely helpful in these situations, but they do require you demonstrate a financial hardship to take your case. Valid hardships include potential eviction, utility shutoffs, inability to afford medication, etc. They won't take cases just because you want your refund faster. For others in this situation, you can request a TAS case by calling 877-777-4778, but be prepared to provide documentation of your hardship. Once assigned, TAS can often see information about your return that's not visible on public transcripts and can help push things along in certain situations.

I was in the same boat but even worse - filed in February and still nothing by June! I was going crazy trying to figure out what codes meant and why my transcript looked weird. Someone told me about taxr.ai and honestly it saved me so much time and stress. It literally reads your transcript and explains everything in plain english, showing exactly where you are in the process and what's happening. So much easier than playing detective on reddit trying to figure out all these random codes. I use it every time I get an update now. Seriously check it out at https://taxr.ai

After dealing with 6 months of silence from the IRS about my 2023 refund, I found a way to actually talk to a human! Used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual IRS agent within an hour. The agent explained that I had a simple code 570 hold that needed to be removed and they fixed it on the spot. Got my refund DD two weeks later. Talking to an actual person made all the difference after months of frustration.

I had to call TAS three times before they would take my case 🙄 First time they said I didn't qualify for hardship (even tho I was about to get evicted??), second time they said my issue wasn't complex enough. Third time I got someone who actually listened and helped. So if at first you don't succeed...try try again lol. Different advocates have different interpretations of the rules.

As someone who works with taxpayers, I can tell you the system is completely broken right now. TAS is overwhelmed and can't take all cases. Best advice I can give everyone: 1. Check your transcripts regularly (weekly not daily) 2. If you have a 570 code without resolution after 120 days, that's when TAS should take your case 3. Call the regular IRS line EARLY morning (7am Eastern) for best chance of getting through 4. Make sure your address is current with USPS and IRS 5. Double check that you didn't miss any notices in the mail And be patient... some returns are taking 6+ months this year 😬

Called the TAS number for 3 days straight and couldn't get through. This is ridiculous! The regular IRS number hangs up on me, the TAS number is always busy... how is anyone supposed to get help?? 😡

Dealing with the IRS this year has been INSANE. I filed in March, got accepted, then nothing for 3 months. Called TAS and they told me I had a random review flag on my account that wasn't even showing on my transcript! No reason given, just random selection. Would have NEVER known without calling them. Return finally processed last week.

did the advocate give u any timeline on when u might get ur refund? or did they just say "wait for a date"?

be careful with TAS - they aren't some magical solution. i waited 4 weeks to be assigned an advocate, then they closed my case saying it wasn't a hardship even though I provided all the documentation they asked for showing I couldn't pay rent without my refund. total waste of time for me. I ended up using claimyr.com to reach a regular agent who fixed my issue in 15 minutes. would have saved myself a MONTH of stress if I'd known.

I've been seeing these weird codes on my transcript (570,971) for 6 weeks now but the description doesn't tell me anything useful. Anyone know what these mean and if I should call TAS?

Lol at all these poeple waiting months... im on YEAR TWO waiting for my 2022 refund 💀 Called TAS so many times. They took my case finally in January of this year and still nothing. The system is beyond broken

Quick tip: if your trying to get through to TAS, call right when they open at 7am. I got through in less than 10 minutes doing that. If you call mid-day forget it, youll be on hold forever.

Not sure if this helps anyone but my issue was similar - transcripts showed nothing for months after filing. One day they suddenly updated with a refund date, no explanation. Turns out I was just in the fraud prevention queue but there was no way to know that. The system is so frustrating because they don't tell you what's happening!

Anyone know if TAS can help with amended returns? Mine has been "processing" for 9 months now!

My experience was terrible! TAS took my case, then ghosted me for 3 weeks, then told me there was nothing they could do because my issue "wasn't complex enough" 🤡 Meanwhile I'm about to lose my apartment waiting for my refund. Calling again today to demand a different advocate.

Okay, stupid question maybe but how do you actually access your transcripts? I created an ID.me account but still can't figure out where to view them 😅

I think the IRS hates us all. that's my only explanation at this point.