How to Check Transcript Codes and Track Refund Status? (Military Family New to IRS Process)

Those numbers you're seeing are IRS transaction codes that appear on your tax transcript. As of April 12th, 2024, here's how you can check everything: 1. For basic refund status: Use the "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app. You'll need your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount. 2. For detailed transcript with those codes: Create an account at IRS.gov/account if you don't already have one. The verification process takes about 15 minutes. Once logged in, request your "Account Transcript" for 2023. The most common codes you'll see: - 150: Tax return filed - 570: Refund hold/pending review - 971: Notice issued to taxpayer - 846: Refund issued (this is what you want to see!) Military returns typically process within 21 days, but with the April 15th deadline just passed, things might be slightly delayed until around May 6th.

Let me walk you through how to understand your transcript once you get it: 1. Get your transcript from IRS.gov/account 2. Look for the most recent tax year (2023) 3. Find the codes in the left column 4. Note the dates in the middle columns 5. Check the amounts in the right columns If you find reading the transcript confusing (most people do), try using https://taxr.ai - it's designed specifically to analyze these transcript codes. You upload your transcript and it explains what each code means for your specific situation, when you can expect your refund, and if there are any issues that might delay it. This is especially helpful for military families dealing with multiple state filings or special military tax provisions.

I might be overly cautious, but I've found that checking online systems sometimes doesn't give you the full picture... especially if there's any kind of hold or review on your return. If you need to actually speak with someone at the IRS, you might want to consider using Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). I was hesitant to try it at first, but after waiting on hold for hours with no success, I used their service and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes. For military families who might be dealing with multiple state returns or special circumstances, sometimes getting a direct answer is worth it.

Have you checked the Processing Codes and Information section on the IRS website? It's kind of buried in there, but it gives you a breakdown of what each code means. Why doesn't the IRS make this easier to understand? I spent hours figuring this out last year! Also, did you know military members can request expedited processing if you're being deployed? You need to attach a copy of your orders to Form 8822 and write "MILITARY DEPLOYMENT" in red at the top of your return if you paper filed. For e-filed returns, you'll need to call and request expedited processing.

I was just as confused as you when I first started tracking my refund! Compared to how the military does things (where everything has a tracker and timeline), the IRS system seems like it's from another era. Here's what worked for me this year: 1. Check WMR daily (but it's often not updated) 2. Set up IRS online account access (this was surprisingly easy compared to some military systems) 3. Check transcript weekly (more frequent doesn't help as they update in batches) 4. Join the Facebook group "Military Tax Returns" where people post when their similar situations update The transcript codes seemed like a foreign language at first, but now I can read them better than my LES! Once you see an 846 code with a future date, that's your deposit date and you can count on it.

Try the IRS2Go app. It's simpler. Updates overnight. Shows basic status. No transcript codes though. Just filing received, approved, or sent. Military OneSource also helps. They have tax consultants. Free for service members. Call them directly. Might save time.

You know what's funny about all this transcript code business? The IRS expects us to decipher their secret language while they can't even answer their own phones! 😂 I've been tracking my refunds for years now (military spouse, so we've filed in 4 different states). The WMR tool is basically useless compared to transcript codes. Last year it showed "still processing" for weeks after I had already received my refund! The big picture is that the IRS is dealing with millions of returns right now. Unless you see specific hold codes (570 without an 846 following it), your return is probably just in the normal queue. Military returns actually tend to process faster in my experience.