Just got off phone with IRS - our 21 days are up tomorrow, possible update this weekend?

YES! This is EXACTLY what I've been tracking with other filers this season! The 21-day mark is typically when batched returns get pushed through final verification. The IRS processing system runs major updates on weekends (usually Saturday night into Sunday) which is why you'll often see transcript updates and WMR status changes on Sunday mornings. I'm so glad you got confirmation directly from them!

I filed on January 7th, 2024, which was the first day the IRS began accepting returns. My 21 days were up on January 28th, and I saw my transcript update on January 29th at exactly 3:05am. The deposit hit my bank on February 1st at 4:12am. I'm always skeptical when people say "you'll see an update soon" because the IRS systems are notoriously unpredictable, but the 21-day timeline does seem to be holding true for basic returns this year.

Think of your tax return like a package in a massive sorting facility - it moves through different stations for verification before reaching its final destination. I've been using https://taxr.ai to monitor my transcript this season, and it's like having x-ray vision into that facility. It breaks down every code on your transcript like a technical manual and predicts your refund date based on patterns in the system. Like having a GPS for your refund journey instead of just wondering where it is.

I had a similar situation last year where the IRS told me to expect an update after the 21-day mark, but then nothing happened. Did they mention anything about your tax situation that might cause delays? Were there any credits claimed on your return? Is this a joint return or individual? I'm surprised they gave such a specific timeframe since they usually avoid making promises about exact dates.

I was in the same boat last week and kept getting the automated message when calling the regular IRS number. So frustrating! According to the IRS.gov website wait times are 45+ minutes this time of year. I used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) and got through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes who confirmed my refund was approved but just waiting for final processing. Worth every penny not to waste hours on hold.

Have you checked your transcript for any codes? Sometimes your account transcript will show pending actions before the WMR tool updates. And did the representative mention anything about PATH Act delays if you claimed certain credits? I'm slightly worried because I'm at day 19 and still nothing showing on my transcript, which seems unusual compared to previous years when I could at least see that my return was received.