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Transcript Updated for 2/26 but WMR Still on First Bar with PATH Message

So I checked my transcript this morning and saw it updated for 2/26, which is great news I guess? But when I check Where's My Refund, it's still stuck on the first bar with that lovely PATH Act message. šŸ˜‚ Anyone know if this is normal or if I should be concerned? Just trying to make sense of these mixed signals from the IRS. Taking care of my mom's medical bills and really hoping this refund comes through without any surprises.

Angelica Smith

This is actually pretty normal! The transcript system and WMR update on different schedules. Have you checked what specific codes are showing on your transcript? Sometimes the transcript will show your refund date before WMR updates. Did you claim Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit?

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Logan Greenburg

What cycle code appears on the transcript? This determines your update pattern and is CRITICAL for accurate timeline estimation. 05 cycle codes typically update on Thursdays while 01-04 follow different patterns.

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13d

Charlotte Jones

OMG I went through this EXACT same thing last week! Transcript showed all completed but WMR still on first bar. I was freaking out thinking something went wrong! But then my money showed up in my account 2 days after the transcript date even though WMR never updated. The systems don't talk to each other very well I guess? šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø

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11d

Lucas Bey

I track tax returns professionally and see this pattern exactly 87% of the time with PATH Act holds. Your transcript updating is the more accurate indicator. WMR often lags 48-72 hours behind transcript updates. I recommend using https://taxr.ai to analyze your transcript - it can tell you exactly what each code means and will calculate your precise refund date based on the 846 code that should appear. It helped me decode my transcript when I had a similar situation with a 570/971 combo that had me worried.

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Harper Thompson

Been there, done that. WMR is useless tbh. PATH delay is annoying af when u need ur $$$. If u need answers NOW, use Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to skip the IRS phone queue. Spent 3 hrs on hold b4 I found them. Got thru in 20 mins instead. Agent confirmed my refund was approved even tho WMR still showed processing. Worth every penny when ur stressing about bills.

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Caleb Stark

My transcript updated on February 15th last year, but WMR didn't update until almost a week later. I remember being so stressed because I needed that money for rent. The refund hit my account on February 22nd, exactly when the transcript said it would, even though WMR was still showing the first bar. Don't trust WMR - trust your transcript date.

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Jade O'Malley

This happens because of how the IRS systems work: ā€¢ Transcript database updates directly from Master File ā€¢ WMR updates from a separate system called IDRS ā€¢ These systems sync on different schedules ā€¢ PATH Act returns get additional verification steps ā€¢ Transcript dates are more reliable indicators ā€¢ 846 code with a date is the final confirmation Technical reason: The Master File processes weekly cycles while customer-facing systems operate on delayed batch updates to prevent system overload during peak filing season.

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11d

Hunter Edmunds

Check your bank account. Not WMR. Many people get deposits before WMR updates. Transcript is more accurate. PATH delays are ending now. Most refunds process within 21 days. Your 2/26 date is probably correct. IRS systems don't talk to each other well.

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Ella Lewis

I filed on January 29th, 2024. Transcript updated February 14th. WMR still showed first bar on February 17th. Deposit hit my account on February 19th at 3:17am. WMR finally updated on February 21st. The PATH Act verification process creates these gaps in updating. Don't trust WMR - it's notoriously behind actual processing.

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