How to Verify If My Tax Return Is Under Review? Need Confirmation Process

According to the Internal Revenue Manual Section 4.19.13.10, there are several ways to verify your return is under review. The most reliable method is to check your IRS transcript, which should show a Transaction Code 420 (Examination Indicator) if your return is selected for audit or review. Additionally, per IRS Publication 3498-A, legitimate IRS review notices will always include your taxpayer information, the tax year in question, and specific contact information including a notice/letter number (typically CP75, CP05, or LTR 4464C). I'm actually surprised by how complex the verification process is - most people don't realize the IRS won't initially provide online status updates for reviews.

I went through exactly the same situation 37 days ago. The review notice was legitimate but the IRS website showed nothing useful. I tried https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it immediately confirmed the review status by explaining all the codes. It showed me precisely which line items were flagged (in my case, education credits worth exactly $2,500) and estimated my review would take 75 days based on current processing times. The tool was right - I received resolution after exactly 73 days. It also explained what documentation I needed to prepare instead of guessing.

Be extremely cautious about this situation. What you're describing has all the hallmarks of a Correspondence Examination (CE) rather than a simple review. The distinction is critical because CE cases have specific Statutory Notice of Deficiency (SNOD) timelines under IRC §6212 that can severely limit your appeal rights if missed. I've seen numerous taxpayers lose their right to Tax Court petitions because they misunderstood the nature of their review. Verify the notice is legitimate by checking that the phone number matches official IRS listings, not just numbers printed on the letter.

After getting my "under review" letter last year, I spent 9 days trying to reach an actual human at the IRS. 😩 Called the main number 14 times and averaged 2+ hour hold times before getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 18 minutes who confirmed my review was legit and explained exactly what they needed from me. Saved me from the IRS phone tree hell. Not cheap but honestly worth every penny considering I was about to lose my mind hitting option 2-1-3-2-4-2 over and over.

I don't trust any of these verification methods. The only foolproof way to confirm your review status is to mail a written request to the IRS Disclosure Office using Form 4506-T specifically requesting your AMDISA record. This shows all internal account actions including review status. The transcript codes can be misleading because they sometimes indicate automated verification rather than actual human review. I'm concerned that relying on the transcript alone might give you false confidence when your return could still be flagged for deeper examination.

Have you perhaps checked if the letter contains specific information about what triggered the review? It might potentially help you prepare the right documentation if you know what they're questioning. And did the letter possibly mention a specific department or agent name that you could reference when following up?

Got thru my review in 53 days flat. Key was responding IMMEDIATELY w/ everything they asked for + extra docs they might need. Sent via certified mail w/ tracking. Called 1 week after delivery to confirm receipt. Got my refund 2 weeks after that call. Don't wait for them to ask for more info - send everything relevant the first time. My review was for biz expenses but I included ALL receipts, bank statements, and a written explanation of each deduction. Extra work upfront saved months of back-and-forth.

I've been through three reviews. Each one different. Last one took six months. IRS needed proof of dependents. Sent birth certificates. They wanted school records too. Very stressful. Keep copies of everything you send. Take photos before mailing. Call every three weeks for updates. Be patient. Reviews are normal. Don't panic.

Be careful about verification! I checked my transcript online which showed no review codes, so I assumed the letter was a scam. Ignored it completely. Six months later I got hit with a CP2000 notice for $7,400 in additional taxes plus penalties because I never responded to the legitimate review. According to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp2000-notice, the IRS might not immediately update your transcript with review status. Always call the IRS directly using the number from their official website (not the letter) to verify any notice you receive.

I went through a similar situation last year and learned some hard lessons about verification. Here's what I wish I had known from the start: 1. **Always verify through multiple channels** - Don't rely on just one method. I called the IRS directly using the number from irs.gov (not the letter), checked my transcript online, AND visited my local Taxpayer Assistance Center. 2. **Document everything** - Keep a log of every phone call, letter, and interaction. Include dates, times, and reference numbers. This saved me when there was confusion about what documents I had already submitted. 3. **Response timing matters** - Most IRS review letters give you 30 calendar days (not business days) to respond. Mark your calendar immediately and don't wait until the last minute. 4. **Gather comprehensive documentation** - Even if they only ask for specific items, I recommend preparing supporting documents for any questionable deductions or credits on your return. It's better to send too much than to go through multiple rounds of requests. 5. **Use certified mail** - Always send responses via certified mail with return receipt requested. The IRS processing centers can be slow to update their systems, and you'll need proof of delivery. The whole process took about 4 months for me, but having everything organized and responding quickly made a huge difference. Don't panic - most reviews are routine and resolve without additional taxes owed.

I'm going through this exact situation right now and it's been quite a learning experience. What I've found most helpful is creating a systematic approach to verification: **First, I verified the letter authenticity by:** - Checking that the IRS logo and formatting matched official samples on irs.gov - Confirming the notice number (mine was CP05) against the IRS notice database - Verifying my personal information was correct and complete **For status confirmation, I used multiple methods:** - Requested my account transcript online (free through irs.gov) - Called the IRS practitioner priority line early in the morning (7 AM EST seems to have shorter wait times) - Checked "Where's My Refund" tool for any status changes **Timeline expectations based on my research:** Most correspondence exams take 3-6 months, but can extend longer if additional documentation is needed. The key is responding within the 30-day window mentioned in your letter. **Proactive documentation gathering:** Even before they specify what they need, I gathered receipts, bank statements, and supporting documents for any items that might be questioned (charitable donations, business expenses, education credits, etc.). One thing that surprised me was how inconsistent the IRS systems can be - my online account showed "processing" while my transcript clearly indicated the review status. Don't rely on just one source of information. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but staying organized and responsive has helped reduce my anxiety about the whole process.

Verified August 1st wmr changed from still being processed to being processed August 7, when should I receive my refund

I'm currently dealing with a similar review situation and wanted to share what I've learned from working with a tax professional. The verification process can be tricky because the IRS uses different systems that don't always sync up in real-time. **Key verification steps I recommend:** 1. **Call the IRS directly** using the number from irs.gov (not the letter) - this is the most reliable way to confirm legitimacy 2. **Check your online transcript** for Transaction Code 420 or other examination codes 3. **Verify letter details** - legitimate notices will have your correct SSN, tax year, and a proper notice number **Important timing note:** The 30-day response window is typically calendar days from the letter date, not business days. Don't wait to start gathering documents. **For your dependents' information:** Since you mentioned coordinating dependent info, make sure you have birth certificates, Social Security cards, school records, and any custody documentation readily available. These are commonly requested during family-related reviews. **Typical timeframes:** From my experience and research, most correspondence exams take 3-6 months, but responding quickly and completely can significantly reduce this timeline. The key is staying organized and responding promptly. Most reviews are routine data matching issues that resolve without additional taxes owed. Keep detailed records of all communications and send everything via certified mail with tracking. Don't let the uncertainty stress you out too much - the process is designed to be manageable if you follow the proper steps!