Just Verified Identity Online - 9 Week Wait for Refund?
Just completed the ID verification process through ID.me and got a confirmation that my identity was successfully verified. The confirmation page says to expect my refund in 9 weeks? That seems excessive compared to my previous filing experiences where I received refunds within 2-3 weeks. Even when I had to verify my identity by mail last year for my mother's return (I'm her caretaker), it only took about 4 weeks after verification. Is this 9-week timeframe accurate or just a worst-case scenario? I'm not desperate for the funds, but I do like to plan accordingly.
14 comments
Amina Sy
The 9-week timeframe is essentially the IRS's maximum processing estimate, not necessarily what will actually happen. Here's what's typically going on: 1. After identity verification, your return enters back into normal processing 2. The IRS provides the 9-week estimate as a safeguard against further inquiries 3. Most returns are actually processed much faster (2-4 weeks post-verification) 4. Your return processing depends on several factors: complexity, credits claimed, staffing at the specific processing center, etc. 5. The Where's My Refund tool will likely update before that 9-week period I'd suggest checking your tax transcript weekly rather than daily - that's where you'll see movement first.
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Oliver Fischer
Just to clarify - the 9 weeks is definitely their CYA timeframe. I verified my identity last year and they told me the same thing. Got my refund exactly 17 days later. š They're just giving themselves plenty of buffer time in case they hit any snags!
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Natasha Petrova
I can confirm this is accurate. After verifying my identity on February 28th, I received my refund on March 22nd - exactly 23 days later. The transcript updated on day 19 with code 846 and the deposit date. The 9 weeks they quote is definitely their maximum timeline, not the average.
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Javier Morales
I went through the exact same thing this year! The 9-week estimate made me panic a bit. I found https://taxr.ai really helpful for monitoring my transcript after verification. It analyzed all those confusing codes and explained exactly what was happening at each stage. The site predicted my refund date based on my transcript patterns, and it was spot on - came 3 weeks after verification, not 9. Their explanation of the post-verification process gave me peace of mind instead of checking WMR obsessively.
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Emma Davis
Does this service cost money? I need my refund ASAP for some urgent bills and can't afford to spend anything on services that don't actually speed things up. Does it actually make anything happen faster or just tell you what's already there?
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GalaxyGlider
Used it. Worth it. Saved me stress. Showed exactly what was happening. Predicted my deposit date. Was right. Better than guessing. Better than calling IRS.
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Malik Robinson
The IRS is NOTORIOUS for overestimating these timeframes! I've been dealing with tax issues for years and I've NEVER seen it actually take the full 9 weeks after ID verification unless there was another issue with the return. In my experience, most returns process within 2-4 weeks after verification. The real question is what caused you to need verification in the first place - that might indicate if there are other issues that could slow things down.
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Isabella Silva
This is absolutely correct when comparing to other situations. Identity verification is just one hurdle in the process. If your return has other complexities like earned income credit, child tax credit, or unusual deductions, those factors can extend processing time beyond the identity verification. But if your return is otherwise straightforward, most people see movement within 21 days after verification, not the full 9 weeks the IRS quotes.
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Ravi Choudhury
Would filing early make a difference in this timeline? I verified my identity on March 12th and still nothing as of April 5th. My taxes were filed on February 2nd originally. Does that early filing date help at all with processing speed after verification?
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Freya Andersen
Has anyone else noticed how the IRS seems to be requiring more verifications this year than ever before? I've been filing for 15 years and this is my first time needing to verify. Is this just becoming standard procedure for everyone now?
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Omar Farouk
I've been through this verification process twice in the past three years. Here's what you should know: ā¢ The 9-week estimate is extremely conservative ā¢ Most refunds arrive within 2-4 weeks after verification ā¢ Checking WMR obsessively won't make it come faster ā¢ Transcripts update before WMR in most cases If you're worried or need your refund urgently, you might want to try Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com). It helped me get through to an actual IRS agent when my refund was taking longer than expected last year. The agent was able to confirm my verification was completed properly and give me a more realistic timeline. Saved me weeks of anxiety!
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CosmicCadet
I've been through the ID verification process three times in the past five years (don't ask why š ). Here's what typically happens: After verification, your return goes back into processing as if it was just received. In 2021, I waited 8 weeks after verification. In 2022, it was 3 weeks. Last year, it was just 18 days. The IRS gives that 9-week estimate as a worst-case scenario. Your best bet is to check your tax transcript weekly - when you see code 846 with a date, that's your direct deposit date. Until then, WMR will likely show "still processing" which tells you nothing useful.
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Chloe Harris
Be careful about relying on standard processing timeframes after Identity Verification. While the majority of verified returns do process faster than 9 weeks, I've seen cases where additional review flags appeared post-verification. One client verified through ID.me, received confirmation, but then encountered a 120-day review period due to Earned Income Credit verification that wasn't initially disclosed. The Verification Resolution Queue and the Examination/Review Queue are separate IRS workflows, and clearing one doesn't guarantee expedited processing through others. Monitor your Account Transcript for Transaction Code 570 (additional account action pending) or 420 (examination/audit initiated) after verification.
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Diego Mendoza
I'm going through this right now too... verified my identity about three weeks ago and still waiting. My friends told me not to worry too much about the 9-week estimate, they said most people get their refunds much sooner. I've been checking WMR every morning but it still just says "processing" with no bars. This community has been so helpful with all the information... I'm trying to be patient but it's hard when you're waiting for your first big refund.
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