Identity Verification Status Changed to 'Refund Received' - Still Need to Verify?

Tbh this happens sometimes. The IRS system is weird af. When they flag for ID verify, it goes into a queue. If they don't get to your case in time, sometimes the system just moves forward anyway. I've seen this happen esp during busy season when they're swamped. Doesn't mean you're 100% in the clear tho. They can still come back later and ask for verification, even after you got the $.

Had similar situation. Got worried. System glitched maybe. They sent my refund anyway. Still got a letter later. Had to verify after the fact. Not ideal. Keep checking your mail. Don't spend that money yet.

I think you might want to proactively verify your identity anyway, just to be safe. The IRS verification system sometimes has these quirks where the status updates incorrectly, but the actual verification requirement doesn't go away. I've seen several people in the community have to deal with this last year, and it's probably better to handle it now than possibly face delays or complications later.

Per IRS Publication 5027, identity verification is a required step when flagged and doesn't typically resolve automatically. According to Internal Revenue Manual 21.5.6.4.11, the IRS can issue a refund during high-volume periods but still require verification afterward. If verification isn't completed, they can issue a CP01H notice requiring repayment. I was stuck in ID verification hell for weeks. Couldn't get through on the phone at all. Finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an agent in 15 minutes who confirmed I needed to verify regardless of what the message said. Saved me from having to repay the refund later. Such a relief to get a straight answer!

WARNING: Don't assume this is resolved. I had the EXACT same scenario during the 2023 filing season. My WMR status changed from "Verification Required" to "Refund Approved" without me doing anything. Got my direct deposit, spent it, then 4 months later received a CP75D Notice demanding verification AND repayment of the entire refund amount plus penalties. The IRS Automated Underreporter Unit (AUR) will eventually catch this discrepancy during post-processing verification. They issue these refunds during peak season due to statutory deadlines, but the verification requirement remains in their system. You're essentially on borrowed time.

For the 2024 filing season, I've observed this specific pattern happening more frequently. The IRS implemented a new automated risk assessment algorithm in January that sometimes releases holds automatically when the verification queue exceeds capacity. However, these returns are still flagged in the Taxpayer Protection Program (TPP) database for post-processing review. In my case, I received a refund on February 18th without completing verification, then got a letter on March 5th still requiring me to verify through ID.me or by calling the TPP hotline. I verified late, but they accepted it without requiring repayment since I responded to the notice promptly.

This is exactly why I always tell people to complete the verification even if the system seems to have moved forward without it. I went through something similar in 2023 - got my refund without verifying, thought I was golden, then boom - CP75C notice in my mailbox 6 weeks later. Had to scramble to get verified through ID.me before they clawed back my refund. The thing is, the IRS has multiple systems that don't always talk to each other perfectly. Your refund processing system might release the funds due to timing constraints, but the Taxpayer Protection Program database still has you flagged. It's like two different departments working off different spreadsheets. My advice? Don't spend that refund money yet. Set it aside in a separate account and proactively complete your ID verification through ID.me or by calling the verification hotline. Better to be safe than sorry, especially when you're relying on that money for expenses. The verification process itself isn't too bad once you get through - just have your documents ready.

This is such a tricky situation! I went through something similar in 2022 - got my refund without verifying, then about 8 weeks later received a CP75 notice requiring verification. The letter gave me 30 days to respond, but I called the TPP line within a week just to be safe. What saved me was keeping detailed records of everything. I took screenshots of my WMR status changes, saved all the emails, and documented the timeline. When I finally got through to an agent, having that documentation helped them understand my case quickly. One thing I learned: even if you get the refund, don't treat it as "cleared" until you've gone at least 6 months without any follow-up notices. The IRS post-processing reviews can take months to catch up, especially during heavy filing seasons. My suggestion would be to call the TPP verification line (833-558-5500) proactively and ask about your specific case. They can tell you definitively whether you still need to verify, even if your online status says "refund received." Better to spend 2 hours on hold now than deal with a surprise clawback later when you've already budgeted that money for expenses.