Successfully verified my IRS identity after April delay - Is "up to 9 weeks" processing time accurate? Anyone track with Where's My Refund?
Just received my identity verification letter from the IRS after waiting since April! I immediately completed the verification online and got the confirmation screen saying my return verification process was successful. I received a message that said: "Congratulations! You have successfully completed the return verification process. We now have the necessary information to continue processing your return. Processing can take up to 9 weeks." This seems crazy long! Has anyone gone through this recently? How long did it actually take for your return to finish processing after verification? The confirmation page also mentioned something about getting an IP PIN as a protective measure against tax fraud. Specifically it said: "If you don't already have an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), you may get an IP PIN as a proactive step to protect yourself from tax-related identity theft. An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The IP PIN is known only to you and the IRS. It helps us verify your identity when you file your electronic or paper tax return. Even if you may not a have a filing requirement, an IP PIN still protects your account." Wondering if I should do that too. The confirmation page also said "If there are other issues, you may receive a notice requesting additional information that will extend the time that you'll receive your refund. You may check the status of your tax refund using Where's My Refund or the IRS2Go mobile app after 2 to 3 weeks." Planning to call tomorrow just to confirm everything went through correctly. Has anyone used the Where's My Refund tool or IRS2Go app to track their refund after verification? Did it actually show up there within 2-3 weeks like they claim?
59 comments
Cassandra Moon
The confirmation screen you received is completely standard and what everyone sees after successfully completing identity verification. The system is telling you exactly what to expect: - Up to 9 weeks processing time (though it can be faster) - Possible additional notices if there are other issues with your return - You can check Where's My Refund after 2-3 weeks - An IP PIN is recommended but optional I wouldn't bother calling - it's extremely difficult to get through, and the agents will just tell you exactly what's on that confirmation screen. The online verification system works well and if you received the confirmation, your verification is complete. Getting an IP PIN is definitely a good idea - it prevents anyone from filing returns using your SSN in the future. Just be patient, the IRS is still working through backlog from the past few years.
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Eli Wang
Thanks for this! I was worried that something might not have gone through properly since I filed back in March. I'll definitely check into the IP PIN.
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Zane Hernandez
I went through identity verification in July and still havent gotten my refund. Going on 10 weeks now ๐ก
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Cassandra Moon
Unfortunately that happens sometimes. The 9 weeks is more of a guideline than a guarantee. If you're past that timeframe, you might want to call the IRS or check if there's another issue with your return.
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Zane Hernandez
How am I supposed to call when no one picks up? I tried like 50 times
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Genevieve Cavalier
Use claimyr.com - I was in the same boat last year. Couldn't get through to anyone for WEEKS. Paid for the service and had an agent on the line within an hour. Best decision I ever made when dealing with these refund delays.
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Zane Hernandez
For real? I'll check it out, at this point I'd do anything to figure out what's going on
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Ethan Scott
I was in the same situation earlier this year and it was driving me crazy trying to decode everything. Ended up using taxr.ai and it was insanely good! Basically explained everything about my transcript, the verification process, and exactly what all the codes meant for my situation. I use it every week to check my updates now. Makes it so much easier than trying to be a detective piecing together random Reddit posts and IRS help articles that never actually help. https://taxr.ai
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Lola Perez
Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
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Ethan Scott
It does way more than just reading transcripts. It actually explains what everything means for YOUR specific situation. Like I had no idea what certain codes meant but the tool broke down exactly what was happening with my verification and when I could expect resolution. Also helps with notices and letters. It's like having an accountant on call 24/7 to explain the IRS gibberish. Seriously changed my whole tax experience.
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Nathaniel Stewart
is it expensive? sounds too good to be true tbh
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Ethan Scott
It's the best money I've spent this year dealing with tax headaches. I was about to pay a CPA hundreds just to explain my transcript, but this was WAY more affordable and available whenever I needed it. Not gonna lie, I probably use it more than I should lol but it's been a lifesaver.
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Riya Sharma
Had the same issue back in June. Found a way to actually talk to a real person at the IRS using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an agent who confirmed my verification went through and explained exactly what was happening with my return. Talking to an actual agent got things moving so much faster - my refund showed up two weeks later! Without that I'd probably still be wondering what was going on.
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Santiago Diaz
Did u have to give them ur personal info? Sounds sketchy
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Riya Sharma
No it's just a service that navigates the IRS phone system for you. They call the IRS, get through the queue, then call you when an agent is about to pick up. It was the only way I could actually talk to a live person after trying for weeks.
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Millie Long
omg this sounds amazing. The IRS phone system is literally designed to make ppl give up ๐คก
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Riya Sharma
Exactly! I spent HOURS trying to get through on my own and kept getting disconnected. This was the only thing that worked for me.
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KaiEsmeralda
9 weeks is total BS. I verified my identity in February and got my refund exactly 15 days later. But my sister did hers in May and had to wait almost the full 9 weeks. I think it depends on which cycle your return falls into and if there are any other flags on your account. So it's totally random.
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Debra Bai
Get the IP PIN. I had someone try to file using my info in 2023 and it was a nightmare to fix. Getting the IP PIN was easy and gives me peace of mind.
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Eli Wang
Thanks for the advice! How do I get one? Do I just follow the link on that confirmation page?
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Debra Bai
Yeah, just follow that link. You can also go directly to the IRS website and search for IP PIN. You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one, but it's worth it. They issue new ones every year.
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Gabriel Freeman
I second this. Had my identity stolen in 2022 and the IP PIN has prevented any further issues. Takes like 10 minutes to set up.
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Laura Lopez
Whatever you do, DO NOT CALL THE IRS. It's literally pointless. They will just read the same info on that screen back to you. You'll waste hours trying to get through, and when you finally do, they won't have any more information than what you already have.
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Eli Wang
Really? I was hoping they could tell me if there's anything else I need to do or give me a more specific timeframe.
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Laura Lopez
Nope. Been there done that. The agents who answer the general line dont have any special access and can only see whats on the Where's My Refund tool. They'll just tell you to wait the 9 weeks.
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Victoria Brown
100% facts. Calling is useless unless you have a specific issue that needs resolving. For just checking status, complete waste of time.
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Samuel Robinson
I verified my identity in August and am still waiting ๐ IRS is trash
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Camila Castillo
congratsss!! that verification step is a huge hurdle! mine took about 3 weeks after verification even tho they said 9. the IP PIN is absolutely worth getting, i got mine after identity theft issues in 2022 and its suuuuper easy to use when filing.
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Eli Wang
Thanks that gives me hope! Fingers crossed mine is faster than 9 weeks too. Did you do anything special to speed it up?
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Camila Castillo
nah just waited! i think it depends on how complicated ur tax situation is. mine was pretty basic W2 stuff so probably why it was faster.
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Brianna Muhammad
One time I got audited by the IRS and didn't know for 6 months because the letter got lost in the mail. By the time I found out, they had already garnished my wages. The moral of the story is: always get IP PIN and check your tax transcripts regularly.
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JaylinCharles
The online system for identifying you is a joke. I went through it in May and STILL haven't got my refund. No updates, no new info. Had to finally break down and figure out how to talk to a real person after 11 weeks of nothing. Got zero help on the phone call too, just told me to keep waiting. System is completely broken.
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Eloise Kendrick
how did you manage to talk to a human? I've been trying for weeks ๐ญ
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JaylinCharles
I tried all the "tricks" from YouTube videos about pressing certain numbers in sequence... total waste of time. Ended up using claimyr.com after seeing it recommended here. Talking to an agent didn't solve my problem, but at least I confirmed my case wasn't lost in the system.
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Eloise Kendrick
thx for the tip, gonna try it. hope you get your refund soon!
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JaylinCharles
thanks man, you too. let me know if it helps
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Lucas Schmidt
what was ur cycle code on ur transcripts? that will tell you when to expect updates
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Eli Wang
Tbh I haven't checked my transcripts yet. I don't even know how to access them or what all the codes mean. Is there an easy way to understand them?
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Freya Collins
I was totally lost with all the transcript stuff too until I found taxr.ai - it actually explains everything in plain english. I was using it weekly during my ID verify process to see what was happening behind the scenes. Worth checking out!
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Eli Wang
Will definitely look into that. Thanks!
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LongPeri
Protip: If you wanna track your refund, download the IRS2Go app mentioned in your confirmation. It's actually not terrible and updates more frequently than the website.
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Oscar O'Neil
Be careful - I got the same message in June, thought everything was fine... then 8 weeks later got ANOTHER letter saying they need additional verification! Make sure you check your transcript (if you can access it) to see if there's a 570 code which means there's a hold on your account.
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Eli Wang
Oh no that sounds awful. How did you handle the second verification?
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Oscar O'Neil
had to go in person to a local IRS office. it was actually faster than the phone/online stuff but still annoying. if you see code 570 followed by 971 on your transcript, thats usually a notice being generated.
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Sara Hellquiem
Honestly the whole verification process is a scam designed to delay returning YOUR MONEY and let them collect interest longer. Why can they verify my identity instantly when I OWE them money but it takes 9 weeks when they owe ME? ๐ค
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Charlee Coleman
FACTS ๐ฏ
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Liv Park
Yeah its almost like the government doesnt want to give you back your own money... who would have thought ๐
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Sara Hellquiem
and dont forget they dont even pay you interest until after 45 days... meanwhile if you're late paying them even by a day they hit you with penalties immediately
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Leeann Blackstein
Anyone know if I can skip the online verify and just go into an office? I've been waiting for a letter for months but never got one.
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Ryder Greene
You need an appointment for in-person verification and those are harder to get than concert tickets. Call the appointment line at 844-545-5640 but expect to wait at least a month for an opening.
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Carmella Fromis
I tried to figure out what was going on with my transcript for months. Nobody could explain what all the codes meant. Then my friend told me about taxr.ai and it literally saved me so much time and stress! It told me exactly why my refund was delayed and when I could expect it. I'd been reading pages of conflicting info on Reddit and tax forums before finding it. https://taxr.ai
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Theodore Nelson
another ad... cool ๐
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Carmella Fromis
Not an ad, just sharing what worked for me after months of frustration. You don't have to use it, but for me it was a game changer when dealing with the verification process. The worst part of tax issues is not understanding what's happening behind the scenes.
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AaliyahAli
I actually used it too and it was super helpful. The IRS doesn't exactly make this stuff easy to understand
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Ellie Simpson
Pro-Tip: If your refund isnt processed within 45 days of the filing deadline (or your filing date if you filed after the deadline), the IRS legally has to pay you interest on the delayed refund. So at least you'll get a little extra for the wait.
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Arjun Kurti
Lol good luck. I verified my identity in March... still no refund in September. IRS is a joke.
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Raรบl Mora
Have you tried calling? That seems excessive even for the IRS
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Arjun Kurti
I tried calling like 20 times but could never get through. Finally used claimyr.com to get someone on the phone. Turns out they had sent a notice requesting more info that I never received. Now I'm starting the whole process over again ๐คก
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Margot Quinn
just make sure u keep checking ur mail. i verified my identity online in May and thought i was good to go, but then they mailed me ANOTHER form to fill out two weeks later. the IRS is notorious for not communicating between departments.
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