IRS Selected My Return for Review - 120 Day Wait for Refund

This happens more than you'd think. The IRS randomly selects returns for verification before releasing refunds. • It's called a "pre-refund verification" or "income verification program" • You don't need to submit anything unless they specifically request documents • The 120 days is their maximum timeframe, many resolve faster • Having medical deductions can trigger additional review • The notice code 971 confirms they've sent you a letter explaining the review Check your mail carefully over the next week for their official notice. It should explain exactly what they're reviewing.

I went through this exact same thing last year. Got the 971 code in March and was told to wait 120 days. I was so stressed because I needed that money for medical bills too. The good news is mine actually processed faster than they said - got my refund after about 65 days instead of the full 120. There's hope it won't take the full time they quoted you!

Based on the notice code you mentioned, you're likely facing an 05 freeze code on your account transcript. This is a systemic hold that prevents refund disbursement during the verification process. I went through this exact process last tax season and found it impossible to get updates through normal IRS channels. After 17 attempts calling the standard IRS number (with hold times exceeding 2+ hours), I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). Their system connected me to an IRS agent in under 30 minutes who confirmed exactly which documents they needed to process my verification. This saved me weeks of waiting for the official letter which apparently had been sent to an old address. Worth every penny when you're waiting on a substantial refund.

I've been through exactly 3 of these reviews in the past 7 years. Each one had a different timeline: - 2018: 94 days to completion - 2020: 67 days to completion - 2023: 112 days to completion The IRS has been dealing with a backlog of 6.2 million unprocessed returns according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service's most recent report. The 120 days is just their standard response, but I've found the actual timing depends on the complexity of your return and current staffing in the department handling your specific type of review. Medical expenses over 7.5% of AGI do tend to get extra scrutiny.

According to the IRS.gov website under "Where's My Refund" FAQs (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions), these reviews can take up to 120 days, but they specifically note that "most reviews are completed within 45 days." I'd start checking your transcript weekly rather than daily to preserve your sanity. If you haven't already, create an account at https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account to monitor for transcript updates. I'm a bit worried because my brother-in-law had a similar situation and it took the full 120 days plus an additional 3 weeks for the actual deposit to hit his account.

OMG I'm going through the EXACT same thing right now!!! 😫 I filed back in February and just found out I'm under review too! I have medical expenses as well and I'm so worried they're going to deny some of them. The stress is killing me because I literally have medical bills I was planning to pay with this money. Has anyone received any further communication after the initial notice? I'm wondering if they'll ask for documentation or if they're just reviewing what was submitted. This is so frustrating!!!

Think of this review like TSA randomly selecting passengers for additional screening at the airport. It doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, it's just part of their verification process. The IRS uses algorithms to flag returns with certain characteristics for manual review. Medical expenses, especially large ones, often trigger these reviews because they're one of the most commonly misreported deductions. If you have all your documentation in order, you should be fine. The 120 days is their way of setting expectations, but is the review actually that comprehensive for your particular case? Or are you just waiting in a queue for someone to spend 15 minutes verifying your information?

I'm currently going through this same nightmare! Filed in early February and got hit with the 971 code last week. Like you, I have substantial medical expenses that are completely legitimate - over $18k in documented medical bills from a surgery and ongoing treatment. What's really frustrating is that I kept meticulous records specifically because I knew large medical deductions could trigger reviews. I have receipts, insurance statements, provider invoices, everything organized and ready to go. But now I'm stuck waiting potentially 4 months for money I desperately need to pay off the remaining medical debt! The IRS agent I spoke with couldn't give me any insight into what specifically triggered the review or whether I'd need to submit additional documentation. Just the standard "wait 120 days" response. Has anyone found a way to get more specific information about what exactly they're reviewing? I'm tempted to proactively send supporting documents but don't want to complicate things if they're not needed. This whole process feels designed to discourage people from claiming legitimate deductions. Hang in there - hopefully we'll both get resolution sooner than the full 120 days! 🤞