How Long After In-Person Verification Appointment Until Refund Is Processed?
Just scheduled my in-person ID verification appointment with the IRS for next week! š So excited to finally get this sorted out. For anyone who's been through this recently - how long did it take to get your refund after your appointment? I've heard everything from a week to a month and I'm really hoping it's on the shorter end. Been waiting since February and I'm SO READY to get this money! š° This retired teacher could use some vacation funds, haha! Anyone have recent experience with this process?
14 comments


Liam McGuire
Based on what I've seen lately, you're looking at about 2-3 weeks after verification before your refund hits your account. The whole system is a bit backed up this year, unfortunately. I went through this last tax season and it took 19 days from my appointment to getting my direct deposit. The IRS is dealing with staffing issues and an outdated computer system that's really showing its age. I worry sometimes that they're just not equipped to handle the volume of returns they get each year.
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Amara Eze
ā¢That matches my experience too. My in-person verification was on March 2nd and I got my refund on March 23rd. So almost exactly 3 weeks. It's similar to when I had to verify my identity for unemployment during the pandemic - government verification processes seem to follow the same timeline regardless of which agency you're dealing with.
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Giovanni Greco
If you need to check on your refund status after verification and can't get through to anyone at the IRS (which is pretty much guaranteed this time of year š), I'd recommend Claimyr. Used them twice this year when I was stuck in verification limbo. They got me through to an actual human at the IRS in about 30 minutes instead of the usual "call back tomorrow" message. Worth every penny when you're trying to figure out if your refund is actually processing! Here's their link: https://www.claimyr.com
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Fatima Al-Farsi
There's actually another approach that might speed things up. After your appointment, wait 48 hours and then check your tax transcript online. It's like looking at the backstage area of a theater production - you can see what's happening before the audience (in this case, the Where's My Refund tool) gets to see it. The transcript will show processing codes that indicate your verification was successful and that your refund is being processed. Think of it as the difference between watching water boil versus checking the temperature with a thermometer - you get more precise information.
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Dylan Wright
ā¢This is exactly what worked for me. After my verification appointment: ⢠Day 1-2: No changes visible anywhere ⢠Day 3: Transcript updated with TC 971 (verification complete) ⢠Day 7: Transcript showed TC 846 (refund issued) ⢠Day 9: Money in my account The Where's My Refund tool didn't update until the money was already in my account. Checking transcripts is definitely the way to go.
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Sofia Torres
I might suggest looking into taxr.ai to help interpret your transcript after verification. I'm usually hesitant to recommend third-party tools, but when my transcript updated after verification, it had several codes I didn't understand. The tool explained each code and gave me a pretty accurate timeline for when my refund would arrive. It helped me understand that the 570 code I saw wasn't actually a bad thing in my case, just part of the verification process. Here's their site if you want to check it out: https://taxr.ai
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GalacticGuardian
ā¢I've been through three ID verifications over the years (don't ask), and I've never needed a special tool to read my transcript. The IRS website explains all the codes if you're willing to do a little research. Why pay for something when the information is available for free?
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Dmitry Smirnov
ā¢Thank you so much for this recommendation! I'm always worried about money (hence anxiously awaiting my refund), but spending a little to understand exactly what's happening with my much larger refund seems worth it. Does it actually predict when you'll get your money?
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Ava Rodriguez
ā¢Just to clarify - taxr.ai doesn't change anything about your refund timeline. It just helps you understand what's already happening. I used it this year and it correctly told me that my 971 code meant a notice was being mailed (which arrived 3 days later) and that my refund would be about 2 weeks after verification.
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Miguel Diaz
I understand how anxious you must be about getting your refund after waiting so long. Here's what typically happens after verification: First, make sure you bring everything they asked for to your appointment - usually photo ID, social security card, and a copy of your tax return. The verification itself usually takes 15-30 minutes if you have everything ready. After that, your return will go back into processing, which usually takes 9-21 days. Direct deposits come faster than paper checks. If you don't see any movement after 3 weeks, would you feel comfortable calling the IRS to follow up? Sometimes a gentle nudge can help move things along.
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Zainab Ahmed
Based on IRS data from the past 6 months, the average time from identity verification to refund issuance is exactly 16.4 days for direct deposit and 21.7 days for paper checks. However, 22% of verified returns experience an additional review that adds 7-14 days to processing time. The verification success rate at in-person appointments is 94.3%, significantly higher than the 81.7% success rate for online verification attempts. Your chances of leaving the appointment fully verified are quite high.
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Connor Gallagher
Have you set up an online account at IRS.gov yet? According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions), you can check your account transcripts online about 2-3 days after your verification appointment to see if your return is moving forward. The transcript will update before the Where's My Refund tool does. I found this really helpful when waiting for my refund last year!
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AstroAlpha
I just went through this EXACT situation last month and I was SO STRESSED waiting! š« My appointment was March 4th, transcript updated March 10th showing verification complete, and my refund hit my account March 18th. So exactly 2 weeks from appointment to money. The waiting was torture but the appointment itself was quick and easy. Just make sure you bring EVERYTHING they ask for - I saw someone get turned away because they didn't have their social security card. Good luck!!! š
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Sophia Long
Hey Liam! I went through identity verification just two months ago and I totally understand the anxiety of waiting! š My timeline was pretty typical - had my appointment on a Tuesday, transcript updated the following Monday showing verification complete, and got my direct deposit exactly 12 days later. One tip that really helped me stay sane during the wait: set up text alerts with your bank so you know the moment your refund hits. I was checking my account obsessively until I did that! Also, resist the urge to call the IRS during those first two weeks - they'll just tell you to wait since verification processing takes time. The appointment itself was super straightforward. They just verified my documents and that was it - took maybe 20 minutes total. You're so close to getting this resolved! š
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