Updated identity verification over phone after transcript showed no movement for weeks - agent says 2-9 week wait for refund

Thanks for breaking that down! Really helps to know what to expect. I'll definitely keep checking my transcript weekly now.

I ended up waiting almost the full 9 weeks last year after my ID verification. It's frustrating but at least they eventually process it.

this is why I love this sub. actual helpful information instead of just "call the IRS" which is basically impossible most of the time.

Do you know if the processing gets delayed if you had to verify by mail instead of phone? Still waiting after sending my docs in March 😩

Mail verification typically adds 2-3 weeks to the timeline because they have to manually process everything. If you've waited since March, definitely call them - you should have had movement by now.

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

It's WAY more than just reading transcripts. It analyzes all your specific codes and dates together, explains what's actually happening with your return, gives you estimated timelines based on your situation, and tells you what you need to do next. It even explained why my return was flagged for ID verification in the first place, which the IRS agent never mentioned! I'm telling everyone I know about it now because it's so much better than guessing or waiting on hold for hours.

another tax tool? seems sketchy tbh 🤔

You guys I finally tried taxr.ai and WOW - I'm blown away! It actually showed me that my identity verification was only partially processed and I needed to submit one more form. Nothing on the IRS site indicated this! Already submitted the missing info and my transcript updated 3 days later. This tool is INCREDIBLE for understanding what's actually happening with your return!

how does that service work? ive been calling for weeks and cant get a human

It basically navigates all the IRS phone menus for you and holds your place in line. When they're about to connect you with an agent, you get a call back. Saved me like 3+ hours of hold time and frustration. Talking to a real person got everything sorted out in 15 minutes - best decision I made after stressing for weeks!

is this even real or just some scam to get ur info? 🧐

Nah it's just a calling service - they don't ask for any tax info or personal details. They just get you through to an IRS agent so YOU can talk to them directly. After spending literally 17+ hours trying to call myself over 3 weeks, getting a callback in 2 hours was worth every penny.

Try calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service. After 13 weeks you definitely qualify for hardship assistance.

I tried TAS too, they're not taking new cases in my state because of "high volume" 🙄 It's like a never ending cycle of bureaucracy

Lucky you! I did verification in February and didn't see my refund until the first week of May 😫

Yeah I know I got lucky! I think it depends on what codes are on your transcript and how complicated your return is. Mine was super simple.

Not OP, but I've had luck calling right when they open at 7am Eastern. Still had to wait on hold for 45 mins but at least they didn't hang up on me.

I've had success using claimyr.com to reach IRS agents. It costs a bit but honestly saved me hours of frustration and multiple days of failed call attempts. Got a callback within 90 minutes when I was trying for 3 weeks on my own.

Thanks! I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point...

That's awful. Did you end up getting any interest on your refund since it was delayed so long?

Yeah I did actually get interest! It was like $47 on a $3100 refund. Not much but better than nothing I guess.

They really need to fix the entire process. My dad has had his identity stolen twice for tax fraud and now has to verify EVERY year even though he's retired and files the same exact return. It's ridiculous.

Good idea, thanks. The agent gave me his ID number and I wrote down the date and time of the call. Hopefully won't need it but better safe than sorry.

same!! they told me 6-8 weeks and it showed up in 5 days. its like they just make up these timeframes 🤣

Not OP but I had to use claimyr.com after trying for 3 weeks to get through on my own. Totally worth it when you're waiting on thousands of dollars and can't get anyone on the phone. Got a callback in under 2 hours and resolved my issue same day.

For real!! My sister works at a bank and says its wild how the IRS still uses fax machines for certain processes in 2025 lmao

To be fair, with all the identity theft happening, I'd rather have more security than less. But yeah their tech is from the stone age 💀

Usually code 570 followed by 971 can mean verification needed. But honestly I was going crazy trying to figure out what all the codes meant until I used taxr.ai - it spelled everything out in plain english and even showed me what was likely to happen next based on the specific pattern of codes. Saved me hours of googling and guessing!

You realize they pay you interest when they delay your refund past a certain date right?

Yeah a whopping 3% when inflation is way higher. Their "interest" doesn't even cover what I lose by not having MY money for 6+ months.

The ID verification is to prevent fraud tho. My cousin had someone try to file a return using his info last year. Rather deal with the hassle than have my refund stolen 🤷‍♂️