ID Verification Appointment - Told to Wait 180 Days?!

That timeframe sounds like their standard worst-case scenario estimate, similar to how doctors give you the longest possible recovery time. I went through ID verification last year, and they told me 120 days, but my refund showed up in about 6 weeks. It seems like they're just covering themselves in case there are additional issues or backlogs.

I was probably told something similar, but my experience was that things moved much faster. After my ID verification, I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript once it became available. The tool was pretty helpful in deciphering what all those codes meant and gave me a fairly accurate estimate of when I'd actually receive my refund. It was something like 45 days after verification, not the 180 they quoted me. Might be worth checking your transcript periodically and running it through there to get a better idea of your actual timeline.

Went thru something similar last year. Had to verify my ID in person cuz of some weird flag on my return. They told me 16-20 weeks (so basically 4-5 months). TBH I got my refund exactly 38 days later. The IRS reps are just covering their butts with those long timeframes. Most ppl I know who've been thru ID verify got their $ within 4-8 weeks after. Did they tell u what triggered the verification requirement? Mine was cuz I moved states and had income from 2 different states.

I had a similar situation and wasn't willing to wait that long. I tried calling the IRS regular number every day for a week with no luck - always disconnected after waiting 2+ hours. I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got connected to an actual IRS agent in about 30 minutes. The agent told me my return was actually already in the final processing stage despite what the in-person verification person said. Got my deposit 9 days later. Worth the fee to avoid the 6-month anxiety.

Just a word of caution - I was told 90 days after my ID verification and it actually took 172 days. 😭 Not trying to be a downer, but sometimes those long estimates are real. I think it depends on what flagged your return in the first place. Mine was apparently selected for a "random audit" (though it felt pretty targeted to me, haha). Just make sure you have a backup plan if you're counting on that money.

The IRS has specific Internal Revenue Manual procedures for identity verification cases. Here's what typically happens: • After in-person verification, your case gets transferred from the Identity Theft Victim Assistance (ITVA) unit to the appropriate processing department • Standard timeframe is 9-16 weeks for most cases, though they quote longer to set expectations • Cases verified before April 15th typically process faster than those verified after • You can request Taxpayer Advocate Service assistance if it goes beyond 21 days after verification and causes financial hardship I've helped several clients through this process, and while 180 days is their maximum legal timeframe, I've rarely seen it take that long unless there were other issues with the return.

I was told exactly 180 days too. Got my refund in 47 days.

The IRS is absolutely swamped right now. I had to verify my identity on March 14, 2024, and was told 120-180 days. My refund was deposited on April 29, 2024 - exactly 46 days later. I think they're just giving worst-case scenarios to everyone. Check your transcript daily - that's the best indicator of actual progress.

I went through ID verification in February and was also told 180 days - got my refund in 52 days! The key thing I learned is to check your transcript weekly rather than relying on Where's My Refund. Once you see a 846 refund code with a date, that's when you know it's actually happening. The IRS reps definitely give you the maximum timeframe to manage expectations, but most people I've talked to got their money within 6-8 weeks. Hang in there - you're probably much closer than 6 months!

I just went through this exact same process last month! They told me 180 days at my appointment too, but I got my refund in exactly 63 days. I think what helped was checking my transcript every Friday (not daily - that'll drive you crazy) and watching for any code changes. One tip that really helped me stay sane during the wait: I set up direct deposit alerts with my bank so I'd know the moment anything hit my account. The "Where's My Refund" tool didn't update until 2 days AFTER I actually received my money, so don't rely on that as your main source of info. Also, since you mentioned you're a recent grad with moving expenses - totally get the financial stress. Maybe consider reaching out to your new employer's HR about any relocation assistance programs they might have? Some companies offer advance payments or loans for situations like this. Good luck, and try not to stress too much - based on everyone's experiences here, you'll likely see your money way before that 180-day mark!