WMR Status Changed from Bars to "Still Processing" - Bad Sign?

I went through this exact same thing last month! The bars disappeared and it switched to "still processing" which made me panic. But honestly, it doesn't necessarily mean anything bad. In my case, it turned out my return was just going through normal verification steps. The WMR tool is really more of a general indicator than anything precise - mine jumped from "still processing" straight to approved with no warning. The bars disappearing is just how their system works when it's in certain processing stages.

I filed on February 3rd and had the EXACT same thing happen on February 28th - bars disappeared completely. I was freaking out! I tried https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it explained that this pattern is actually common during the mid-season processing surge. The tool showed me that my 570 code actually meant a temporary hold while they verified some information, not a full-blown audit like I feared. My bars came back on March 12th and I got my deposit on March 15th.

This status change follows a predictable pattern in 76% of cases. The WMR tool transitions through exactly 3 stages during normal processing: "Return Received" with 1 bar, "Still Processing" with no bars, and "Approved" with 3 bars. The average duration in the "Still Processing" stage is 8.3 days for standard returns and 14.6 days for returns with refundable credits. Based on the current processing volume (approximately 2.4 million returns per day), your return is likely in batch sequence validation, which occurs after initial acceptance but before final approval.

I feel your frustration! When this happened to me, I needed answers fast because I was counting on that money. After trying for days to reach someone at the IRS, I finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and: • Got through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes • Found out my return was just in normal processing • Got an estimated completion date • Didn't have to waste hours on hold Totally worth it when you're stressing about whether something's wrong with your return!

I've seen hundreds of cases like yours in this community, and compared to truly problematic situations, this is actually quite normal. The status change you're seeing is much more common than the cases where there's an actual review. Think of it this way - if your return had a real problem, you'd typically see a specific error message or receive a letter, not just a status change. The IRS processing system works in waves, and right now they're dealing with the mid-season crush that's about 3 times larger than early season volume.

Tbh the "still processing" msg w/ no bars usually means one of 3 things: 1. Random review (most common) 2. Income verification 3. Identity verification Def check your transcript if possible - look for codes 570/971 which might indicate you'll get a letter. But don't panic yet! About 60% of ppl who see this status change end up getting approved w/in 2 weeks w/ no action needed. The WMR tool is notoriously glitchy this time of yr.

I remember when this happened to me in 2022. I called multiple times and couldn't get through. When I finally reached someone after 3 weeks, they told me it was just in normal processing the whole time - the system just doesn't show the bars during certain verification stages. In 2023, I saw the same thing and ignored it - got my refund right on schedule. The disappearing bars seem to be more about their system limitations than actual problems with your return.

This happened with my return last month. I waited three days after the bars disappeared, then checked my tax transcript instead of WMR. The transcript showed processing codes that WMR doesn't display. Have you checked your tax transcript yet? That gives much more detailed information about what's happening with your return.

The IRS Transaction History Database (THD) and the Where's My Refund application operate on different update schedules, causing these status disparities. Instead of calling immediately, I recommend requesting your Account Transcript through the IRS website, which will show the actual processing codes and provide more granular information about your return status. The telephone representatives often have access to the same limited information you're seeing in WMR, making calls inefficient until you've verified actual processing delays via transcript analysis.

I've been through this exact scenario multiple times over the years, and honestly, the disappearing bars are more about the IRS system's quirks than actual problems with your return. What I've learned is that WMR is basically a simplified view of a much more complex processing system - it's like looking at a basic weather app when meteorologists have access to detailed radar and satellite data. The "still processing" status usually kicks in when your return moves from automated processing to a queue that requires some form of manual review, which could be anything from income matching to simple verification steps. Unless you receive an actual letter or notice from the IRS, this status change is typically just part of the normal workflow. That said, if you're really concerned, checking your tax transcript (as others mentioned) will give you much more detailed information than calling and waiting on hold for hours.

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Filed on February 15th and my bars just disappeared two days ago. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really reassuring - it sounds like this is way more common than I thought. I was starting to panic thinking I messed something up on my return, but it seems like the WMR system just doesn't handle the mid-season processing volume very well. I think I'll follow the advice about checking my transcript first before calling. Has anyone found the transcript codes easy to understand, or do you need to look up what they mean? I'm trying to decide if I should just wait it out or be more proactive about tracking what's happening.