Timeframe for Refund Processing After ID Verification Completion?
I completed my ID verification process with the IRS on March 14, 2024, and I'm trying to gather information on standard processing times for others in this community. As a newly married filer, I selected joint filing status for the first time. My return was accepted on February 3, 2024, but I received the ID verification letter on March 7, 2024. I promptly completed the verification process exactly one week later. The Where's My Refund tool still shows 'Processing' status. I would appreciate if community members could share their experiences regarding typical timeframes following successful identity verification. Thank you for your professional insights.
16 comments
Giovanni Ricci
Identity verification adds a specific layer to your refund journey. Think of it like a security checkpoint at an airport - once you clear it, you're back in the normal flow, but you've lost your place in line. Typically, the IRS takes about 9 weeks to process refunds after ID verification, though I've seen cases resolve in as little as 3 weeks. The verification process is like resetting your filing date - the clock essentially starts ticking from March 14th, not your original February 3rd acceptance date. Your joint filing status is like adding a second passenger to your journey - it doesn't necessarily slow things down, but it does add complexity.
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Amara Eze
Did you perhaps receive any specific cycle code on your transcript? I'm wondering if you might have checked that, as it could potentially give some additional insight into where exactly your return is in the processing pipeline. Also, did you possibly claim any refundable credits that might trigger additional review?
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NeonNomad
Thank you for your questions. I checked my transcript yesterday (April 2, 2024) and noticed cycle code 20241405. Based on my experience with other taxpayers in similar situations, this indicates the return is actively being processed in batch cycle 14 of 2024. And yes, we did claim the Child Tax Credit, which I've observed frequently triggers additional verification steps during the first year of joint filing. I've seen this pattern consistently over the past two tax seasons.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
This is extremely helpful! I've been looking everywhere for practical information about what happens after verification. I'm going to check my transcript right away for a cycle code.
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Dylan Mitchell
According to IRM 21.5.6.4.35.1, ID verification cases should be processed within 9 weeks after successful verification. I appreciate your confirmation of this timeframe from real-world experience.
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Sofia Martinez
Just to clarify something that might help others - that cycle code format (20241405) actually tells us a bit more than just being in process. The '14' portion indicates the 14th week of the tax year, and the last two digits indicate the day of the week (05 = Thursday). So your return was processed in a Thursday batch during the 14th week of 2024. Not that it speeds anything up, but at least gives you a chuckle knowing exactly when some IRS computer was churning through your return! š
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Dmitry Volkov
I was in exactly the same situation last year. Waited 7 weeks after verification with no movement. I finally got tired of checking WMR every day and called the IRS. Spent 3 hours on hold before giving up. Then I used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got through to an agent in 15 minutes. They told me my return was stuck in a secondary review queue that needed manual approval. The agent pushed it through, and I had my refund 8 days later. Don't wait around if it's been more than 4 weeks since verification.
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Ava Thompson
Has anyone noticed how the verification timeline seems to change based on which verification method you used? Did you verify through ID.me online, through the phone system, or by visiting an IRS office in person? I'm wondering if one method leads to faster processing than others?
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CyberSiren
OMG I was wondering the same thing! Thx for asking this. I did the ID.me route and I'm on week 5 of waiting post-verification...
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Miguel Alvarez
I've been asking this exact question for weeks! I verified by phone and I'm still waiting after 6 weeks. It's frustrating that the IRS doesn't give any clear guidance on this.
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Zainab Yusuf
I verified in person. Took 4 weeks exactly. Refund appeared in my account on a Wednesday. No additional communication from IRS. Just showed up suddenly.
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Connor O'Reilly
Has anyone who verified after March 1, 2024 received their refund yet? I'm tracking exactly 23 days since verification. Trying to determine if there's a seasonal slowdown.
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Yara Khoury
I've dealt with ID verification issues for 3 tax seasons now, and there are some common patterns I've observed: ā¢ Most refunds appear 4-8 weeks after verification (not the 9 weeks they quote) ā¢ Verification doesn't guarantee approval - they can still request more documentation ā¢ The IRS often says "9 weeks" to manage expectations, but internal targets are faster ā¢ Tax credits like CTC or EITC add additional review time beyond just ID verification ā¢ Transcripts update before WMR in 90% of cases ā¢ Calling before 6 weeks have passed rarely produces results I'm skeptical when people claim quick timeframes because there are so many variables involved in each case.
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Keisha Taylor
I went through this exact process last year. I verified my identity on April 2, 2023, and received my refund on May 18, 2023 - so it took about 6.5 weeks for me. The interesting part was that my transcript didn't update until May 12th, and then everything happened very quickly. I remember checking obsessively every morning and feeling so frustrated with the lack of updates. When my transcript finally updated, it showed several codes all posted on the same day, including the 846 refund issued code. It seems like once they complete the verification review, things move quite rapidly.
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StardustSeeker
I had a similar verification situation but with a twist - I had to verify for state taxes too. Federal took exactly 5 weeks after verification, while state took 7 weeks. Compared to my regular returns in previous years, that's about 4 weeks longer than normal. It's like paying a time penalty for being randomly selected. The waiting is especially tough if you're counting on that money for bills or expenses. My sister had to verify too, but she did hers in person at an IRS office and got her refund in just 3 weeks - might be worth the trip if you have an office nearby.
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Paolo Marino
To clarify an important point: there are actually different types of identity verification that affect processing times differently. If you received Letter 5071C or 5747C, that's a standard identity verification and typically takes 6-9 weeks after completion. If you received Letter 4883C, that's a return integrity verification, which can take 8-12 weeks. The verification code you received would be in the upper right corner of your letter. This distinction explains why some people report vastly different timeframes.
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