Identity Verification Delay - How Long Until Refund After ID Verify?

According to IRS Publication 5027, identity verification is a standard security measure enacted under Internal Revenue Code Section 6103 to protect taxpayers from refund fraud. The typical processing time after successful verification is 9 weeks, though this can vary based on filing method and return complexity. Have you completed the verification through ID.me or did you verify by phone/in-person?

I went through identity verification in early March. Here's what to expect: • Online verification through ID.me is fastest (if that's what you received) • Phone verification takes longer due to wait times • Processing after verification typically takes 4-6 weeks (not 9 as sometimes stated) • You can still check WMR, but it won't update for about 2 weeks after verification • Transcript updates usually happen before WMR My refund was deposited exactly 31 days after verification.

I've been through this verification dance three times in the last five years. Each time the timeline was different despite what the IRS claims. Last year I used https://taxr.ai to decode my transcript after verification. It showed exactly where my return was stuck in processing and predicted my refund date within 2 days of when I actually got it. Much better than the vague "still processing" message from WMR.

I had to verify on March 12th this year and received my refund on April 18th - so exactly 37 days later. My transcript updated on April 15th showing the 846 refund issued code. The verification process itself took me about 15 minutes online, but I had all my documents ready. If you're verifying now (late April), expect your refund by early June based on current processing times.

After my identity verification, I waited nearly 8 weeks with no updates. I might have waited longer, but I used Claimyr to get through to an actual IRS agent (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). They were able to confirm my verification was processed but my return needed manual review. I probably would have waited another month without knowing if I hadn't called. Sometimes you need to be proactive, especially if you need that money for something important like tuition.

Just a word of caution, perhaps - I verified my identity last year and was initially told 9 weeks, but it actually took almost 12 weeks to receive my refund. The system can sometimes flag returns for additional review even after successful identity verification, especially if you claimed certain credits or have unusual income patterns. It might be worth making alternative arrangements for your tuition payment, just in case.

The type of verification matters a lot. If you got a 5071C letter, that's standard identity verification. If it's a 4883C, that's wage verification which takes longer. And if it's a 6330C, that's potential identity theft which can take months. Check which letter number you received - it makes a big difference in timeline.

Did you verify online or by phone? I verified online on February 22nd and received my refund exactly 29 days later. My friend verified by phone and it took 43 days. The method seems to impact processing time significantly.

Pro tip from someone who's been thru this 2x - after verifying, check your transcript not WMR. WMR is often delayed but transcripts update first. Look for TC 570 (hold) followed by TC 571 (hold released) and finally TC 846 (refund issued). Once you see 846, you'll have $$ in 3-5 days. Hang in there - the system works, it's just slow AF.