PSA: Online ID verification with IRS requires a PHONE call too - don't miss the second step!

yep this happened to me last year. I spent 2 months thinking it was being processed when actually it was just sitting there waiting for me to call 🤦‍♂️

How long does it typically take after completing the phone verification for them to actually release the refund? Got through to them yesterday finally

Usually 2-3 weeks after the phone verification, but it can vary. Check your transcript about a week after - you should see codes 570/571 releasing if everything went well.

The IRS is so broken. Why can't they make this clear on their website or in the letter? So many people dont even know they need to call.

Theres actually a third step no one talks about - you need to send them a carrier pigeon with your blood oath of tax compliance written on its foot 🤣

If your in a rush, I highly recommend using claimyr.com to get through to an agent quickly. I was on hold for 3 hours before I gave up, used Claimyr and had an agent on the phone in 20 minutes. Best money I've spent considering I was waiting on a 4k refund.

thanks for sharing this! working at a tax firm we see this all the time and clients get so frustrated waiting when they think they've completed everything

Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?

It does WAY more than just read it! I uploaded my transcript and it analyzed all the codes, told me I was still pending verification (which wasn't obvious to me), explained what that meant for my timeline, and showed me what to do next. It was like having a tax pro look at it but instant. Totally changed my stress level once I understood what was happening.

OMG I just tried it and WOW! I've been staring at my transcript for weeks trying to figure out what was happening. This tool pointed out my verification was incomplete within seconds and now I know exactly what to do. EVERYONE dealing with the IRS needs to know about this!!

does it cost money? the irs site is free

Yeah there's a cost but it was worth every penny for me. The IRS site just gives you the raw transcript - this actually explains what it means and what to do. Saved me hours of research and probably weeks of waiting.

is that service legit? seems sketchy to use a third party just to call the IRS

I was skeptical too but it worked perfectly. They basically just navigate the IRS phone tree and hold in line for you, then call you when an agent is ready. Talking to an agent got my refund released after months of waiting. After trying for days myself and never getting through, it was a relief.

I used it last week and it worked. Actually talked to a human at the IRS for once lol

How long did it take to get called back?

For me it was about 45 minutes. Way better than the 3+ hours I spent trying to get through on my own (and failing

It depends on your specific verification letter and situation. Some people only need online verification, others need both steps. That's why the process is so confusing.

youre both right. my wife only needed online, i needed both. different letters, different requirements. the IRS isnt consistent at all

Oh ok that makes sense. Sorry for being harsh, just didn't want people calling unnecessarily if they don't need to.

Call the number specifically listed on your verification letter. It's usually a dedicated line for identity verification (different from the main IRS number).

Thanks! I'll check my letter again. The IRS sure doesn't make any of this simple 🙄

At this point definitely call. That's way too long to be waiting after online verification with no movement. It took me 3 weeks to realize I needed to call too.

check your transcripts with taxr.ai - it'll tell you exactly whats going on. saved me a ton of time trying to figure out my verification status

Thanks, I'll try both suggestions. So frustrating that none of this is clear on their website!

Try calling right when they open (7am EST). That's how I finally got through last week.

I had the same issue but used claimyr.com and got through in like 30 minutes. It costs a bit but talking to a live agent got my refund unstuck immediately so it was worth every penny.

Thanks for the tips! I'll try early morning tomorrow and if that doesn't work I might try that service. I need this refund ASAP 😫

OMG this is such a weird hack but it makes sense - probably triggers some kind of update in their system. Will definitely try this!

I've heard about this too! Something about it pushing your file through another review cycle. Classic IRS glitch lol

100% facts. they hold our money interest-free for months while we jump through hoops 💅

Actually its mostly to prevent identity theft. But yeah the implementation is terrible and causes way too many delays for legitimate taxpayers.

If it was really about identity theft they'd make the process clear and efficient. This is deliberately convoluted.

Lol of course they do! that would be way too easy otherwise

Thanks for the insider perspective! Question: is there any way to tell from our transcript if we need the phone verification specifically?

Unfortunately not really. The transcript codes (570/971) just show a generic hold and notice issued, nothing specific about verification status. Best indicator is if more than 2 weeks have passed since online verification with no movement.

Is there any particular department we should ask for when calling? Last time I called I got transferred 3 times and nobody could help me.

Ask specifically for the Identity Verification department. If you're calling the number on your verification letter you should reach them directly, but if not, request that specific department.

They'll ask about previous addresses, loan information, credit cards you have/had, sometimes car loan info - basically stuff only you would know from your credit report. Also details from your tax return like specific line amounts.

thanks! that helps a lot. im terrible at remembering exact numbers so ill have my return in front of me when i call.

Don't stress too much, they give you multiple attempts if you get something wrong. Just have your last few years of tax returns handy and you'll be fine.

So glad it helped! That's exactly why I posted this. The IRS really needs to make this clearer in their communications.

How does it work? Do you just upload your transcript?

Yep - you download your transcript from the IRS site and upload it there. It analyzes all the codes and tells you exactly what's happening and what to do next. For me it caught that I still needed to call for verification which wasn't obvious from just looking at the transcript.

Just tried it and wow! So much clearer than staring at those transcript codes trying to figure out what they mean. It immediately told me I'm still in the verification stage and need to call. Thanks for sharing this!!

Welcome to dealing with the IRS. Nothing makes sense.

My theory is that they're intentionally making it confusing to reduce the number of refunds they have to pay out quickly. People give up or miss steps = free loan for the government.

Honestly that tracks. They're playing 4D chess while we're playing checkers 🤣

It varies by letter and individual situation. Not everyone needs both steps, but many do. The issue is you don't know which category you're in until you either get your refund or wait too long with no updates.

Ah that makes sense why some people's experiences are different. Classic IRS inconsistency!

does that actually work? seems sketchy

It absolutely works. They basically wait on hold for you and call you when an agent is ready. Talking to a live agent was the only way I finally got my verification issue resolved and my refund released. After trying for days on my own and constantly getting the "high call volume" message, it was worth every penny.

Hmm might try it. Been trying for a week with no luck getting through!