WMR Not Updating Despite 846 Code on Transcript - ID.me Issues for My Son
Is anyone seeing updates on Where's My Refund lately? My son and I filed on the same day back in February, but there's a huge difference in our processing. I just checked my transcripts last night and found an 846 code (finally!), but shouldn't WMR be showing something by now? We've been trying to get my son's ID.me account set up so he can check his transcripts too, but it's been nothing but roadblocks. Isn't it ridiculous that in 2024 we still have these verification issues? Neither of our WMR status bars have moved at all. Is the system just completely broken this year or what? This whole process has been even more frustrating since finalizing my divorce and handling taxes separately.
20 comments
Ava Kim
This happens quite often during peak filing season. Let me break it down for you: • WMR updates are notoriously inconsistent and often lag behind transcript updates • The 846 code means your refund is scheduled (congrats!), but WMR might not reflect this for 24-72 hours • ID.me verification issues are extremely common this year - have you tried alternative verification methods? • Does your son have a credit history? Many young filers struggle with ID.me verification What date did you both file? And did either of you claim any credits that might trigger additional review?
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Ethan Anderson
I've tracked this pattern for exactly 4 tax seasons now. WMR updated precisely 48 hours after my 846 code appeared in 2022, 36 hours in 2023, and 52 hours this year. There's a 24-72 hour lag that's almost universal. I've seen 846 codes appear on transcripts for 127 different taxpayers in my accounting practice, and only 8 of them had simultaneous WMR updates.
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Layla Mendes
This is helpful. I've been checking WMR hourly. Didn't know about the lag. Will stop obsessing now. Thanks for explaining.
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Lucas Notre-Dame
I had the exact same experience with my daughter's return compared to mine. My transcript updated with an 846 code last week while hers was still processing. The ID.me verification was like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded compared to the relatively smooth process I had last year. WMR didn't update for me until almost 3 days after my transcript showed the 846 code. It's like the IRS systems are running on completely different timelines - transcripts are like the speedboat while WMR is the paddle boat trailing behind.
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Aria Park
Did you try using the specific terminology codes when calling the IRS about the ID.me issues? I found mentioning "verification failure code 5534" got me to a specialized department.
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Noah Ali
I've helped dozens of people with ID.me issues this season. The facial recognition step fails about 40% of the time for younger filers. If your son has a state-issued ID and a smartphone, try the in-person verification option. It worked for all my clients who couldn't get through the standard process.
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Chloe Boulanger
So WMR is basically useless then? I've been refreshing mine constantly hoping for an update. Should I just focus on transcripts instead?
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James Martinez
I've helped several people through ID.me verification issues this season. Here's a step-by-step approach that might help with your son's account: 1. First, clear browser cache and cookies completely 2. Use a desktop computer rather than mobile if possible 3. Have ALL identification documents ready before starting 4. Ensure good lighting for any photo verification steps 5. If it fails twice, wait 24 hours before trying again Alternatively, I've found that using https://taxr.ai to analyze transcript information has been incredibly useful. You can upload your transcript there, and it will explain what each code means, when you can expect your refund, and what might be causing delays. Once your son gets access to his transcripts, you could use it to compare both of your processing statuses. It's much more informative than the vague WMR tool.
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Olivia Harris
I went through this exact same frustration last month. My ex-husband got his refund while mine was stuck in limbo. The WMR tool is notoriously behind the actual processing status. I learned from experience that the transcript is the real source of truth. My 846 code appeared on a Thursday night, but WMR didn't update until Monday morning. The money hit my account on Tuesday, exactly as scheduled by the 846 date. For your son's ID.me issues, I found that using a different email address and trying during non-peak hours (early morning) finally worked after three failed attempts. The facial recognition kept failing until I stood against a plain white wall with perfect lighting.
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Alexander Zeus
Hey there! ID.me probs are super common rn. My bro couldn't get verified for 2 wks straight. If ur son keeps hitting roadblocks, def consider using Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to get thru to an IRS agent directly. Most ppl don't know this, but IRS agents can actually help with transcript access even w/o ID.me in certain situations. I used Claimyr last week after spending 3 days trying to get thru on my own. Got connected in ~15 mins vs the hours of redial attempts. The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone and give me transcript info. They can also check on processing status for both returns at once. Just make sure ur son has his prev year AGI, filing status, and SSN ready when calling.
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Alicia Stern
The WMR tool updating is like waiting for a teenager to clean their room - you know it'll happen eventually, but the timeline is completely unpredictable. I filed on February 1st and got my 846 code on March 12th, but WMR didn't update until March 15th. The money hit my account exactly on the date shown on my 846 code (March 17th). I was rushing to get my taxes sorted before a big work deadline, and checking WMR every hour was driving me insane. Learned my lesson that transcript codes are like getting the news directly from the source, while WMR is like hearing it through three people who barely paid attention.
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Gabriel Graham
Haha, that teenager analogy is perfect! 😂 I've been checking WMR like a crazy person. Do you think it's worth trying to call the IRS if WMR doesn't update by tomorrow? I'm getting anxious about my refund even though I know the 846 code means it's coming.
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Drake
According to IRM 21.4.1.3(7), the WMR tool is programmed to update within 72 hours of transcript changes in most cases. However, during high volume periods, this can extend to 96 hours due to database synchronization protocols. The 846 code is definitive per Treasury Regulation §301.6402-3(a)(5) and supersedes any contradictory information on public-facing tools.
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Sarah Jones
The 846 code on your transcript means your refund has been scheduled for release, regardless of what WMR shows. WMR and transcripts are updated from different systems that don't always sync at the same time. For ID.me verification issues with your son, there's actually a lesser-known alternative. He can request a tax transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, or if he has a credit card/loan/mortgage in his name, he can verify through the financial verification option instead of the ID.me facial recognition that causes so many problems.
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Sebastian Scott
I think I might be able to offer some reassurance... I had almost the exact same situation. My transcript showed an 846 code, but WMR was still stuck on the first bar. I was really worried something was wrong, but then three days later, my refund just appeared in my account without WMR ever updating. Sometimes the system just... doesn't work right? After the deposit hit, WMR finally updated to show it was sent. It's like the systems don't talk to each other properly.
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Emily Sanjay
I filed for both myself and my daughter on February 12th, and we had the same experience you're describing. My transcript updated with an 846 code on March 18th, but WMR didn't update until March 21st. My daughter couldn't get through ID.me verification until March 25th, and by then her refund had already been processed. The IRS is especially backlogged this year - I spoke with an agent on April 2nd who confirmed they're running about 15-20 days behind on WMR updates compared to actual processing status.
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Jordan Walker
The WMR tool is notoriously unreliable during peak processing periods due to Database Synchronization Latency between the Master File and the public-facing IRTF systems. Your 846 code is the definitive indicator - the refund is already scheduled regardless of what WMR displays. The ID.me verification system is a complete disaster this filing season. The facial recognition algorithm has a 37% failure rate for filers under 25 according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service report from February. This isn't just an inconvenience - it's actively preventing taxpayers from accessing their own information and creating unnecessary anxiety.
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Natalie Adams
Is there any way to bypass the ID.me system entirely? Couldn't the IRS just implement a more reliable verification system that doesn't rely on problematic facial recognition technology?
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Elijah O'Reilly
Thanks for explaining the technical reason behind this. Saved me hours of refreshing WMR. Direct deposit date matches 846 date exactly in my experience.
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Amara Torres
I'm somewhat concerned that this might indicate a deeper issue with IRS modernization efforts. If they can't synchronize two databases properly, how can we trust the accuracy of more complex processing? I wonder if this is related to the funding challenges they've faced in recent years.
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