ID verification for IRS - how long until I get my refund?
I just completed the ID verification process with the IRS a few days ago. They sent me a letter asking me to verify my identity through the ID.me portal. Has anyone else gone through this? I'm wondering how long it typically takes for them to process my return after verification. My return was accepted in late March and I was expecting my refund by mid-April, but then got this verification letter instead. Getting a bit anxious since I was counting on that money.
47 comments
Harold Oh
I went through this exact process back in February. After completing the ID.me verification, it took about 3 weeks for my refund to be processed and deposited. The IRS website states it can take up to 9 weeks, but most people I know (including myself) received it much sooner. Make sure you check your transcript and the Where's My Refund tool regularly for updates. The transcript will often show movement before the WMR tool updates. If it's been more than 9 weeks since verification, you should call the IRS at the number on your verification letter to check on the status.
0 coins
Payton Black
Thanks for your reply! That's somewhat reassuring. I'll keep an eye on my transcript. Did your transcript update before you got your refund or did it all happen at once?
0 coins
20d
Harold Oh
My transcript updated about a week before I got my refund. You'll see a 570 code (refund hold) and then eventually a 571 code (hold released) followed by an 846 code which is the actual refund issued. When you see that 846, you're golden!
0 coins
18d
Payton Black
This is super helpful info! I've been trying to figure out what all those codes mean. Fingers crossed I see that 846 soon š¤
0 coins
16d
Amun-Ra Azra
mine took over 4 months after verification last year. the irs is a complete mess. good luck!
0 coins
16d
Summer Green
If youre having trouble understanding your transcript, try using taxr.ai - it explains all those confusing codes and tells you whats actually happening with your return
0 coins
16d
Payton Black
4 MONTHS?? Oh god I hope that doesn't happen to me. I need this money asap
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Gael Robinson
I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai that helped me understand exactly what was going on with my tax return after verification. It reads your transcript and explains everything in plain English instead of those confusing IRS codes. Way better than trying to research endless forum posts and piece together what's happening yourself. I was completely lost before using it, but it showed me exactly where my return was in the process and when I could expect my refund. https://taxr.ai really saved me from the anxiety of not knowing what was happening.
0 coins
Summer Green
Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
0 coins
18d
Gael Robinson
It analyzes your entire transcript and breaks down every single code and date. It even shows you a timeline of what's happening and estimates when you'll get your refund based on your specific situation. It caught issues I didn't even know existed on mine! You just upload your transcript and it does the rest.
0 coins
16d
Summer Green
WOW I just tried this tool and it's incredible!! I've been struggling for weeks trying to figure out what was happening with my return after verification. taxr.ai explained everything instantly and even found an issue that was causing my delay that I had no idea about. Everyone dealing with the IRS should be using this!
0 coins
16d
Edward McBride
is this like an ad or something? sounds too good to be true
0 coins
16d
Gael Robinson
Not an ad, just something that actually worked for me after weeks of frustration. I was ready to give up before finding it. I'm just sharing what helped me in case it helps others in the same situation.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Darcy Moore
After dealing with this verification nonsense for weeks, I finally got someone on the phone using the Claimyr app (claimyr.com) and got actual answers about my situation. Agent told me my verification was complete but there was another hold they never told me about. Got it resolved in one call and my refund was released the next week. Best money I've ever spent to get my questions answered instead of just waiting in anxiety. Trying to call the IRS directly is impossible - I gave up after being disconnected 6 times.
0 coins
Dana Doyle
wait what is this? some kind of service that gets you through to an IRS agent? how does that even work?
0 coins
16d
Darcy Moore
Yeah, it basically navigates the IRS phone system for you and gets in line. When they reach an agent, you get a call connecting you. Saved me from having to spend hours on hold or getting disconnected. The agent I talked to was super helpful once I finally got through.
0 coins
16d
Liam Duke
this sounds sketchy af tbh... has anyone else tried it?
0 coins
16d
Manny Lark
I used it last month when I was desperate. It actually works. Talking to a real person at the IRS solved in 10 minutes what I'd been struggling with for 2 months. They dont ask for any tax info, just your phone number to call you when they get an agent.
0 coins
16d
Darcy Moore
Not sketchy at all. They just do the waiting for you. Completely changed my experience dealing with the IRS. My refund had been stuck for 2 months until I got a real person on the phone who could see what was actually happening.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Rita Jacobs
I had to verify this year too. For me, it took about 6 weeks after verification before I saw any movement on my transcript, and then another 10 days to get my refund. But I've heard it can vary a lot. Check your transcripts regulary for updates. Also, don't rely on the Where's My Refund tool - it's usually behind by at least a week.
0 coins
Payton Black
6 weeks??? š That's so long. I was hoping it would be faster. Thanks for the heads up about the WMR tool though.
0 coins
16d
Rita Jacobs
Yeah it was rough. But as soon as I saw the 846 code on my transcript I knew I was good. The money was in my account 5 days after that code appeared.
0 coins
16d
Khalid Howes
I must have gotten lucky. Only took 2 weeks after my verification last month. But my brother had to wait 8 weeks for his. The IRS is completley inconsistent.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Ben Cooper
THIS IS COMPLETELY NORMAL. The IRS uses verification to prevent identity theft. I used to work for a tax preparer and we saw this all the time. Typically takes 2-9 weeks after verification to get your refund. Some factors that can make it take longer: claiming EITC or child tax credit, filing a paper return instead of e-filing, having past issues with the IRS, or if there are any discrepancies in your return that trigger additional review.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Naila Gordon
they did this to me 2 years in a row and both times it took FOREVER. first year was 4.5 months after verification. second year was about 2.5 months. its pure hell. they dont tell you anything and the wheres my refund tool just says "still processing" the entire time. and if youre trying to call... dont waste ur time. š¤”
0 coins
Payton Black
This is terrifying to hear š° I'm already at 3 weeks since verification and nothing's changed on my transcript
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Cynthia Love
It took me 4 weeks after ID verification. But here's a tip - if it's been more than 9 weeks, call the Taxpayer Advocate Service. They can often help push things along if your return is stuck. They were super helpful for me last year when I had a different issue. The regular IRS phone lines are useless.
0 coins
Darren Brooks
Tried calling the TAS multiple times last month and couldn't get through. They're just as overloaded as the regular IRS lines now.
0 coins
16d
Cynthia Love
Really? That sucks. Maybe it varies by region. I got through after about a 45 min wait in April. Worth a try at least.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Rosie Harper
I had to do the ID.me verification in March. Took about 12 days after verification to get my refund. But my sister had to verify too and she's been waiting over 2 months now with no movement. So it really depends on your specific situation and possibly just luck with which IRS employee gets assigned your case. Make sure you completed ALL the verification steps - some people think they're done but missed a step.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Elliott luviBorBatman
Ok so here's the actual breakdown of how long it takes (former IRS employee here): ā¢ Best case scenario: 2-3 weeks after verification ā¢ Average: 4-6 weeks after verification ā¢ Worst case: 9+ weeks Factors that slow it down: - If you have any discrepancies in your reported income - If you claimed certain credits (EITC especially) - If you filed Schedule C (self-employment) - If you've had identity theft issues in the past - If you moved recently - If your bank account info doesn't match previous returns The verification is just the first step. After that, they still review your return normally. So patience is key here.
0 coins
Payton Black
Thank you for the detailed info! I did claim EITC so that might be slowing things down. I appreciate having realistic expectations.
0 coins
16d
Demi Hall
Is there anything we can do to speed up the process? Or are we just at the mercy of the IRS?
0 coins
16d
Elliott luviBorBatman
Unfortunately not much you can do to speed it up. If it goes beyond 9 weeks, you can try calling, but even that rarely helps. The system is just backlogged. Make sure you're checking your mail regularly in case they send follow-up letters requesting more info.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Mateusius Townsend
Same boat last year. Took me exacly 5 weeks and 2 days after verification to get refund. The system is broken but thats our reality. Check ur transcript not the wmr site.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Kara Yoshida
Honestly taxr.ai saved my sanity during this exact situation. I had to verify in February and was SO confused about what was happening with my refund. The tool explained all the codes on my transcript and showed me that there was actually a math error that was causing an additional delay beyond the verification. Without that I would have just been waiting for nothing. https://taxr.ai
0 coins
Philip Cowan
does it cost money? seems like it would be expensive for what it does
0 coins
16d
Kara Yoshida
It's worth every penny for the peace of mind alone. I spent weeks trying to figure out what was happening before I found it. Saved me from having to take a day off work to try calling the IRS repeatedly.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Caesar Grant
Just wanted to provide some reassurance - I had to verify in April and got my refund exactly 16 days later. It seems like the IRS has gotten a bit faster with these verification cases compared to previous years. Don't lose hope!
0 coins
Write a comment...
Lena Schultz
After trying for weeks to call the IRS directly about my verification (and never getting through), I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and talked to an agent within an hour. Turns out they needed additional info that wasn't mentioned in the verification letter! Got it sorted and had my refund the next week. Talking to a live agent made all the difference - would've been waiting forever otherwise.
0 coins
Gemma Andrews
What kind of additional info did they need? Now I'm worried there's something I'm missing too
0 coins
16d
Lena Schultz
In my case they needed verification of some investment income that didn't match what was reported. But the agent said every case is different. That's why actually talking to someone is so important - they can see exactly what's holding up YOUR specific return.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Pedro Sawyer
mine took exactly 45 days after verifcation, and im still mad about it š” the irs is so inefficient its unreal. keep checking your transcript for updates. once you see code 846 youll get your $$ about a week later.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Mae Bennett
I've been through this verification nightmare THREE YEARS IN A ROW. Each time it's taken between 4-8 weeks after verification to get my refund. The system is completely broken. And here's what's extra frustrating: once you've had to verify, you're more likely to have to do it again in future years. They flag your account as 'verification required' and it just keeps happening.
0 coins
Payton Black
Wait this can happen MULTIPLE YEARS?? That's so messed up... what do they even do with our verification info if they just keep asking for it again?
0 coins
16d
Mae Bennett
Yep, welcome to IRS hell. They claim it's to prevent fraud but it feels like they're just throwing obstacles at us to delay paying refunds as long as possible.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Beatrice Marshall
Took me exactly 17 days from verification to refund last month. But my sister had to verify too and she's at 6 weeks now with no movement at all. Seems completely random tbh.
0 coins
Write a comment...