Married Filing Separately - Husband Got Refund, Wife Still Waiting?

This happens a lot tbh. MFS returns often process at diff times even w/ same filing date. IRS doesn't batch process MFS returns together - they go into separate processing queues. His return might've hit a faster queue or had fewer verification checks. Also that 5-day advance thing might've expedited his bank's processing, not the IRS part. Has she tried checking WMR with correct info? Sometimes ppl enter wrong refund amt and get errors.

I was in the same situation last year and got so anxious! Have your friend checked her transcript yet? That would tell her exactly where her return is in processing. Is it still being reviewed? Does it have any hold codes? I was freaking out until I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript. It explained all those confusing codes and told me exactly when to expect my refund. Is she getting any specific error on WMR? Sometimes that can be a clue... or does it just say still processing?

She needs to call the IRS directly. Married Filing Separately returns get extra scrutiny. They'll verify if there's an issue or just normal processing. Don't wait - delays get worse. I was stuck for 8 weeks last year until I called. Use Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through. Regular IRS line has 2+ hour waits. Claimyr got me to an agent in 15 minutes who fixed my issue immediately. Worth every penny when you're waiting on money that's rightfully yours.

Be careful with the refund advance options. These products technically operate as short-term loans with the financial institution assuming the risk based on your anticipated refund. I've observed numerous cases where this creates discrepancies in processing visibility. The husband's return may have been prioritized in the Electronic Return Originator (ERO) queue due to the advance selection, while her return follows standard processing protocols. Additionally, the IRS utilizes batch processing with multiple cycle dates throughout the week, so returns filed simultaneously may not necessarily process concurrently.

This discrepancy could be attributed to the Path Act verification protocols if either return claimed EITC or ACTC credits. Path Act returns undergo mandatory extended verification regardless of filing date. Additionally, the Refund Fraud Assessment System (RFAS) selects returns for additional identity verification based on proprietary algorithms, not filing status. Has she verified her identity through ID.me? Without transcript access, she's missing critical processing indicators such as Transaction Code 570 (refund hold) or 971 (notice issued).

Last year I had this exact problem with my spouse. We filed on the same day through the same preparer, but his refund came 3 weeks before mine. The issue turned out to be that my return got flagged for manual review because of a mismatch between my reported W-2 income and what my employer submitted. The IRS never notified me - I only found out when I finally reached an agent. Tell your friend to check her mail carefully for any IRS notices, and she should verify all her income documents match exactly what employers reported.

Several factors could explain the discrepancy: • Different processing batches - IRS processes returns in cycles, not by household • Verification filters - her return may have triggered identity verification • Credit claims - certain credits require additional review • Income verification - wage discrepancies trigger holds • Prior year issues - unresolved issues from previous returns I'm concerned that they don't check transcripts. Transcripts provide the only reliable view of what's actually happening with a return. The WMR tool is notoriously unreliable and often doesn't update correctly.

This reminds me of what happened to my sister and brother-in-law last year. Filed same day, same preparer, similar situations - his came in 10 days, hers took 6 weeks. Unlike your friends, they checked transcripts and discovered her return had been selected for random verification (no fault of hers). The IRS never sent any notification. The frustrating part is that sometimes there's absolutely nothing wrong with the return, but the IRS randomly selects a percentage for deeper review. In comparison, my parents who filed paper returns both got theirs in exactly the same timeframe. The electronic system isn't as consistent as the IRS claims.