WMR Status Changed from Check Mailed to Refund Received - What's Happening?

I've seen this happen a few times before, especially during the peak processing times. What you're describing is actually a system reset that typically indicates your return is being reprocessed or reviewed. I had a client last year who experienced the exact same situation - WMR showed full completion then reset to the beginning. In their case, there was a discrepancy between reported income and what the IRS had on file. I'd be skeptical of anyone who tells you this is normal processing - it usually indicates something triggered a second look at your return.

Have you checked your tax transcript? That might give you more insight than WMR. The transcript will show specific codes that indicate what's happening with your return. Did you claim any credits this year that might trigger additional review? What about your filing status - did you change from joint to single after your divorce? These details matter for understanding what might be happening.

OMG I had this EXACT same issue last month!!! I was freaking out because I needed that money for rent! 😭 Called the IRS for THREE DAYS straight and couldn't get through. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in like 15 minutes! Turns out they were verifying my new address after my move. The agent put a note on my account and my refund was processed within a week after that. Best $25 I ever spent considering I was about to miss work trying to call them myself. If you're budget-conscious like me, it's worth it just for the time saved!

This is actually more common than people realize. If you compare this to how credit card transactions work, it's similar to when you see a pending charge that disappears before the actual charge posts. The IRS systems don't always communicate in real-time. I've seen cases where the WMR tool showed completion, then reverted, then jumped ahead again all within a few days. Unlike credit card systems though, the IRS batch processes can take days rather than hours to synchronize across their different databases.

According to Internal Revenue Manual section 21.4.1, what you're experiencing is likely a 'processing path change.' Per IRS guidelines, when a return moves between different processing departments, the tracking status may reset temporarily. This commonly occurs when: 1) Identity verification is needed, 2) Income discrepancy is detected, 3) Credits require additional verification, or 4) Address change processing is occurring. Given your recent divorce, the system may be reconciling your new filing status. I recommend checking your tax transcript for codes 570/971, which would confirm this theory. I was so worried when this happened to me, but it resolved itself within 14 days.

Let me walk you through what might be happening here. In approximately 15% of cases, a return that shows full progression and then reverts is experiencing what's sometimes called a 'verification loop.' It's possible, though not certain, that your recently changed marital status triggered additional verification. The IRS might be cross-referencing your new filing status with previous years' data. If that's the case, you might want to check if your ex-spouse has already filed, as this can sometimes create processing delays when both parties file as single for the first time after filing jointly in previous years.