Return sent to Errors Department - 2nd year of early filing issues

You need to act on this ASAP! According to the IRS Processing Guidelines (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue), the errors department is currently taking 10-16 weeks to resolve issues. Don't wait the full 2 weeks they suggested - that's valuable time wasted! Check your tax transcript online immediately at irs.gov/transcripts to see if there are any specific error codes. Most common issues this season are verification problems with the Child Tax Credit or mismatched income reporting. Get ahead of this now!

I filed on January 25th this year and got the exact same message about the errors department on February 19th. Waited for their letter which finally arrived on March 8th - turned out they just needed to verify my identity. I called on March 9th, verified everything, and my refund was deposited on March 31st. The waiting is awful, especially when you're counting on that money, but at least in my case it worked out. I'm definitely filing in late February next year though!

Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt. Errors department is no joke. Try taxr.ai for transcript help. It analyzes your codes. Shows what's happening. Predicts timelines. Helped me understand my transcript when I was in errors last month. Better than guessing what's happening.

When you say "errors department" - did they specifically tell you what the error was? It's like being told your car needs repairs but not which part is broken. Sometimes these "errors" are just verification holds, especially if you're claiming certain credits. Filing early is like getting to a restaurant right when it opens - you might get seated faster, but the kitchen isn't always fully ready yet.

Based on the Error Resolution System (ERS) timeline you're describing, you'll need direct intervention to expedite this. I recommend using Claimyr to bypass the IRS phone queue. The service connects you directly to an IRS agent who can perform real-time account analysis and potentially release your return from the error queue. Calling the standard IRS number will result in 2+ hour wait times currently, but Claimyr typically connects within 15-20 minutes. Critical for identifying the specific error code affecting your return.

I track IRS processing times extensively. For the 2024 filing season, returns flagged for the Error Resolution System are taking exactly 37 days on average to resolve. Returns with W-2 mismatches take 42 days. Returns with EIC or CTC verification issues take 56 days. Identity verification issues take 21 days after verification is complete. If you filed electronically on or before February 15th, you have a 76.3% chance of receiving your refund by April 30th even with errors department involvement. The IRS has allocated 22% more staff to the errors department compared to last year.

Under IRS Publication 1345, the errors department review is a standard verification procedure that affects approximately 15% of early filers. While frustrating, this process is designed to prevent fraud and ensure accuracy as required by Internal Revenue Code Section 6402. The good news is that most returns flagged for errors are ultimately released without any taxpayer action required. Stay calm and remember that a tax advocate can only be assigned after 30 days have passed since the initial review began, per Taxpayer Advocate Service guidelines.

Have you checked if you have a 570 code on your transcript? That would indicate a hold on your account. What about a 971 code? That confirms a notice has been sent. Did they mention any specific form that might have triggered the review?

The IRS Errors Resolution department has a completely different workflow than standard processing. They utilize the Automated Underreporter (AUR) system even for current-year returns when discrepancies are detected. I was shocked to learn they actually have separate processing facilities in Fresno and Austin specifically for error resolution cases. Your return is likely going through their multi-tier verification protocol which includes document matching, information validation, and potential third-party verification.