< Back to IRS

Transcript shows SINGLE filing status but I filed MARRIED JOINT - everything else is completely blank?

I'm so confused and worried. I checked my IRS transcript yesterday and noticed that my filing status shows as Single, but I definitely filed as Married Filing Jointly with my wife for 2023. We've been filing jointly for 3 years now. What's even weirder is that my transcript is completely blank other than that incorrect filing status. No refund amount, no tax paid, literally nothing else. We submitted our return electronically through TurboTax in early April 2024 and got confirmation it was accepted within 24 hours. Our expected refund was about $3,700. It's now July and we haven't received anything. No notices in the mail, nothing. My wife checked her transcript and it shows the same issue - Single status and blank everywhere else. Has anyone experienced this? What should I do next?

Seraphina Delan

This sounds like the IRS may have processed your return incorrectly or there could be a system error in how your transcript is displaying. The blank transcript with incorrect filing status suggests something didn't process properly. Here's what you should do: 1. First, verify that your actual tax return shows married filing jointly. Check your copy of the filed return. 2. Contact the IRS directly (though I know that's easier said than done). The transcript issue could indicate your return is stuck in processing or was flagged for review. 3. Check if you received any CP05 notices or other letters requesting additional information - sometimes these get overlooked. 4. If your return was accepted but shows incorrectly on the transcript, it could be in the error resolution department. 5. Use the Where's My Refund tool to check if there's any information there that isn't showing on your transcript. I recently had a similar issue and discovered that using taxr.ai really helped me understand what was happening with my transcript. It explained all the codes and timelines in plain English and gave me clear next steps. Saved me hours of research and confusion. Might be worth checking out at https://taxr.ai

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

Thanks for these suggestions. We double checked our saved return and it definitely says Married Filing Jointly. Where's My Refund tool just says it's still processing. Haven't received any notices from the IRS either.

0 coins

-

20d

Jabari-Jo

What's taxr.ai? Is it any good for complex situations like this? I'm dealing with something similar but also have some 1099 issues mixed in.

0 coins

-

18d

Seraphina Delan

Honestly it's been a game changer for me. It analyzes everything on your transcript and explains what's happening in normal human language. Shows you exactly what to do next based on your specific codes and situation. Way better than forums where everyone's just guessing.

0 coins

-

17d

Jabari-Jo

Just checked it out and WOW. This is exactly what I needed last year when I was trying to understand why my return was stuck for 8 months! Bookmarking this for sure.

0 coins

-

17d

Kristin Frank

Did you have identity verification issues by any chance? Sometimes that triggers a filing status mismatch.

0 coins

-

17d

Niko Ramsey

Not that I'm aware of. No requests for ID verification that we received.

0 coins

-

17d

Micah Trail

I was in this exact situation last year! My transcript showed the wrong filing status and was missing all information. After spending weeks trying to figure it out through forums and IRS website FAQs, I finally discovered taxr.ai and it was seriously life-changing. It analyzed my transcript, explained exactly what was happening, and gave me personalized recommendations. Saved me countless hours of frustration and research. Instead of trying to be a detective piecing together clues from random posts, I got clear answers specific to my situation. The tool walks you through everything in plain English. https://taxr.ai was by far the best resource I found!

0 coins

-

Nia Watson

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

0 coins

-

19d

Micah Trail

It does SO much more than just read the transcript! It analyzes all your codes, dates, amounts, etc. and actually explains what's happening behind the scenes at the IRS. It tells you what stage your return is in, if there are any issues, and exactly what to do next. I was shocked at how comprehensive it was - it even predicted when I'd get my refund and was accurate within 2 days! EVERYONE dealing with IRS issues needs to use this!

0 coins

-

17d

Alberto Souchard

idk sounds too good to be true. these tax tools are usually just basic calculators with a fancy interface

0 coins

-

17d

Micah Trail

That's what I thought too! But this isn't like those basic calculators at all. It's using some kind of AI to actually interpret everything that's happening with your specific return. Trust me, I was skeptical too until I tried it. Literally solved in 10 minutes what I couldn't figure out after weeks of searching forums and calling the IRS.

0 coins

-

17d

Katherine Shultz

After struggling with a similar issue for months (mine showed head of household when I filed joint), I FINALLY got through to the IRS using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). Instead of waiting on hold for 3+ hours or getting hung up on repeatedly, they had an actual IRS agent call ME back. The agent explained that my return got caught in their fraud prevention system and needed to be manually reviewed. After speaking with them, my transcript updated within a week and my refund was processed shortly after. Best money I've ever spent to finally solve this nightmare!

0 coins

-

Marcus Marsh

How does this work? Is it some kind of skip-the-line thing? The IRS phone system makes me want to throw my phone against the wall 🤬

0 coins

-

19d

Katherine Shultz

It basically monitors the IRS phone system for you and calls you back when it gets through to an agent. Then it connects you directly to them. Saved me from having to sit through that horrible hold music for hours. The agent I talked to was super helpful and fixed my issue on the spot.

0 coins

-

18d

Hailey O'Leary

Sounds fishy. Does it actually work or is it another scam?

0 coins

-

17d

Katherine Shultz

Not a scam at all! I was skeptical too but desperate after trying to reach the IRS for weeks. It actually got me connected to a real IRS agent who fixed my transcript issue within minutes. My only regret is not using it sooner - would've saved me months of stress.

0 coins

-

17d

Niko Ramsey

Thanks for the suggestion! At this point I'm willing to try anything. 3 months waiting and still nothing...

0 coins

-

17d

Cedric Chung

Got a link? I've been trying to reach someone at the IRS for WEEKS about my transcript issues

0 coins

-

17d

Katherine Shultz

Yeah it's claimyr.com - talking to an actual human at the IRS made all the difference for me. The agent immediately saw what was wrong with my transcript and fixed it.

0 coins

-

17d

Talia Klein

A blank transcript usually means your return hasnt been fully processed yet. the single vs. married thing is concerning but not uncommon. The IRS systems are ancient and glitchy AF. They probably have a huge backlog this year too like they do every year. If its been 21 days already since you filed, call them to check status.

0 coins

-

Maxwell St. Laurent

same thing happened to my sister - turned out hre identity was flagged for verification but she never got the letter. once she verified identity online the transcript updated within 2 weeks and refund came shortly after. try going to id.me on the irs website and see if theres a problem there

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

Good idea, I'll check that. We both have id.me accounts already but maybe something happened.

0 coins

-

17d

PaulineW

This is the most likely answer. The IRS has been going crazy with ID verification this year. My transcript was blank for 2 months until I verified.

0 coins

-

17d

Annabel Kimball

Did you efile or paper file? Paper filed returns are taking FOREEEEEVER this year. My parents paper filed in February and their transcripts still show nothing in July. If you efiled though, something's definitely wrong and you should contact the IRS asap. Try calling right when they open in the morning.

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

We e-filed through TurboTax in April. Got the acceptance notification the next day.

0 coins

-

17d

Annabel Kimball

Then yah something's definitely wrong. Mine showed up on transcript about 2 weeks after acceptance. Try calling the IRS (good luck lol) or use one of those services others mentioned that can get you through to them faster.

0 coins

-

17d

Chris Elmeda

Did your spouse's SSN get entered correctly on the return? The system can default to single if there's an error with the spouse's info. Double-check your copy of the return.

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

Yep, just double checked and her SSN is correct on our copy of the return. We've been filing together for 3 years with no issues until now.

0 coins

-

17d

Jean Claude

I work at a tax office (not the IRS) and see this all the time. Here's the deal: When a return gets flagged for manual review, the transcript often shows incomplete or incorrect info until the review is complete. The single filing status is likely just a placeholder in their system. Most common reasons for review are: identity verification, income verification, or credit verification (like if you claimed EITC or child tax credit). Your best bet is contacting the IRS directly. If you can't get through on the phone (which let's be real, is nearly impossible), try making an in-person appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center. They can often resolve these issues on the spot.

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

Thank you for this insight! I'll try to get an appointment at our local office.

0 coins

-

17d

Charity Cohan

Second this! Had the same problem and my local TAC fixed it in one visit. Call 844-545-5640 to make an appointment.

0 coins

-

17d

Josef Tearle

The IRS system is completely broken this year. My transcript showed Head of Household when I clearly filed Single. Then it randomly fixed itself after 6 weeks without me doing anything. Just wait it out...or if youre inpatient like me use one of those services that helps you reach a human at the IRS

0 coins

-

Shelby Bauman

Check the "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov - sometimes it has info that's not on your transcript yet. Also check both spouses' transcripts if possible. Sometimes only one shows the correct info.

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

Where's My Refund just says it's still processing. And we checked both transcripts - both show Single status and are otherwise blank. Super weird.

0 coins

-

17d

Quinn Herbert

I struggled with this EXACT same issue in 2023! After weeks of getting nowhere, I finally decided to try taxr.ai after seeing it recommended here. Uploaded my transcript and it immediately identified that my return was stuck in the Error Resolution department because of a filing status mismatch. It even provided a specific IRS number to call and what to say to get it fixed fastest. Problem solved in days instead of months! Can't recommend it enough - https://taxr.ai

0 coins

-

Salim Nasir

turbo tax messed up my filing status last year too! double check your actual submitted form (not the turbo tax summary but the actual 1040 that got sent) to make sure it says married filing jointly.

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

Just checked our 1040 PDF from TurboTax and it definitely has the box checked for Married Filing Jointly. So doesn't seem like a TurboTax error.

0 coins

-

17d

Hazel Garcia

3 possibilities: 1. Identity verification needed 2. Return pulled for manual review 3. System glitch You won't know which without talking to the IRS. Good luck getting through on the phones tho 🙄

0 coins

-

Laila Fury

Option 4: The IRS is a complete disaster and has no idea what they're doing 😂

0 coins

-

17d

Hazel Garcia

That's just a given at this point lol

0 coins

-

17d

Geoff Richards

The IRS has been absolutely BRUTAL this year with processing. I waited 9 months for my 2022 refund because of stupid errors on their end. Their systems are from the stone age and they're massively understaffed. Your best bet is to use the claimyr app to actually reach a human (claimyr.com). It was the ONLY way I finally got my issue resolved after months of trying to call them myself.

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

9 months?! That's insane! I hope ours doesn't take that long.

0 coins

-

17d

Geoff Richards

It was absolute hell. Mortgage application got delayed, couldn't get an auto loan, all because the IRS couldn't get their act together. Seriously, talking to a human was the only thing that fixed it.

0 coins

-

17d

Simon White

Omg 😱 I'm going through this too!!! Filed jointly but transcript shows single. Called IRS after using that claimyr thing someone else mentioned (it worked btw 👍) and they said it was flagged for review but wouldnt tell me why. Still waiting for update 😭

0 coins

-

Hugo Kass

did u make any unusual deductions or claim any credits this year that u didnt in previous years? that could trigger a review and cause the transcript to show incomplete/wrong info

0 coins

-

Niko Ramsey

Nothing unusual. Pretty much identical to last year's return actually.

0 coins

-

17d

Nasira Ibanez

Contact a Taxpayer Advocate ASAP! They can help resolve this. Here's the number: 877-777-4778. They're separate from regular IRS customer service and have more power to fix issues like this.

0 coins

-

Khalil Urso

Good luck getting through to them too 🙄 TAS is even more backed up than the regular IRS phone lines

0 coins

-

17d

Nasira Ibanez

True, but worth trying. They helped me when nobody else could.

0 coins

-

17d

Myles Regis

THE IRS IS A JOKE!!! I've been dealing with their incompetence for 3 years straight. Every. Single. Year. Some new stupid problem that takes months to resolve. I feel your pain OP 😤

0 coins

-