What does 'Action Required' mean on WMR? Just verified identity in person Monday
Just checked Where's My Refund and saw 'Action Required' status. Not sure what to do next. ⢠Filed my taxes on March 1st (did all my gig work income correctly) ⢠Got a letter to verify identity 2 weeks ago ⢠Went to local IRS office Monday to verify in person ⢠Checked WMR today and still says 'Action Required' Does it take time to update after verification? Really need this refund soon for car repairs so I can keep doing deliveries. Any help appreciated!
21 comments


Kingston Bellamy
Ugh, I HATE when this happens! The 'Action Required' message usually means they need something from you, but since you already verified in person, the system probably hasn't updated yet. It's SO frustrating when you've already done what they asked! š¤ Their systems can take 5-7 business days to update after verification, sometimes longer. Have you tried checking your tax transcript to see if there's more specific information?
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Joy Olmedo
ā¢I had the same issue last year. Even after verifying, my WMR said 'Action Required' for almost 3 weeks. Is there any way to know if they received the verification properly? The IRS is notorious for losing paperwork.
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Isaiah Cross
What specific verification process did you complete? Was it an in-person ID verification using Form 14039 or was it the Taxpayer Protection Program (TPP) verification? The system update timeframes differ between these processes. Also, did the IRS representative provide you with any confirmation number or timeframe for processing after your in-person verification?
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Kiara Greene
Per IRS Publication 5027, verification processing can take up to 9 weeks in some cases, though typically it's much faster. I was in a similar situation last month with gig income verification issues. I tried https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it showed exactly what was happening with my return. According to Section 6103(c) of the tax code, you have the right to this information, but the IRS makes it so hard to understand! The taxr.ai tool explained all the codes and gave me a timeline. Really appreciated having clarity during a stressful financial time.
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Evelyn Kelly
Be extremely careful with this situation. I had the 'Action Required' status last year after identity verification, and I assumed it would resolve itself. Unfortunately, I missed that there was actually a SECOND verification needed for my self-employment income. This delayed my refund by 11 weeks total. I strongly recommend calling the specific Identity Verification department at 800-830-5084 to confirm exactly what action is still required. Sometimes there are multiple issues that need to be addressed sequentially.
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Paloma Clark
ā¢This happened to me too! I went through the identity verification, but then they needed additional documentation for my business expenses. The trick is that the second verification request doesn't generate a new letter sometimes - they expect you to keep checking WMR. I keep a spreadsheet tracking every interaction with the IRS now with dates, times, and confirmation numbers. Saved me multiple times!
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Heather Tyson
ā¢Just want to say I had exactly this problem with my gig income last year. Called that number directly and found out I needed to verify some 1099-K income. Once I did that, my refund was processed within 10 days. Such a relief after weeks of confusion!
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Raul Neal
ā¢Wait, so even after verifying in person, there could be MORE verification needed? š¤ Do they tell you this during the in-person verification or are we just supposed to guess? This system seems designed to be confusing!
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Jenna Sloan
I'm not one to recommend services usually, but after my third attempt to call the IRS failed (waited 2+ hours before disconnection), I reluctantly tried Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). It... actually worked? Got connected to an IRS agent in about 30 minutes who confirmed my identity verification was processed but there was a secondary review of my gig income happening. At least I knew what was going on instead of guessing. If you're dependent on your car for income, might be worth considering rather than waiting and wondering.
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Christian Burns
According to the IRS.gov website under 'Where's My Refund' FAQs (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/about-wheres-my-refund), the 'Action Required' status should automatically update within 9 days after verification! If it's been less than that, you likely just need to wait. However, if Monday was more than 9 days ago, you need to contact them IMMEDIATELY as your return may be stuck in the verification queue. The deadline for resolving these issues before potential delays is approaching quickly!
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Sasha Reese
ā¢Thank you for providing the exact timeframe! I've been through this verification process exactly 3 times in the past 5 years (apparently my name matches someone else's or something). In my experience, it took 7 days, 4 days, and 6 days respectively for the system to update after verification. It's stressful waiting when you need the money for work expenses, I completely understand.
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Giovanni Ricci
Hey Kingston! I went through almost the exact same situation last year with my delivery driver income. The "Action Required" status after in-person verification is super common and usually just means their system hasn't caught up yet. Since you verified on Monday, I'd give it until next Monday (the full 7 business days) before panicking. In the meantime, definitely call that 800-830-5084 number that Evelyn mentioned - it's specifically for identity verification follow-up and they can tell you if there's anything else needed beyond what you already did. When I called, they confirmed my verification went through but there was a secondary review happening that wasn't showing up anywhere else. Also, since you mentioned needing the refund for car repairs to keep working - I totally get that stress! If you have a smartphone, you can set up text alerts through the IRS2Go app so you'll know immediately when your status changes instead of constantly checking WMR. Hang in there, it should resolve soon! ššŖ
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Tobias Lancaster
ā¢Thanks Giovanni! That's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing with delivery income. I'm definitely going to call that number tomorrow and set up those text alerts - didn't even know that was an option! The waiting is the worst part when you're not sure if everything went through properly. Did you end up needing any additional documentation beyond the initial identity verification, or was it really just the system catching up?
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
ā¢@Giovanni That's such good advice about the IRS2Go app alerts! I had no idea that existed either. Quick question - when you called the 800-830-5084 number, did you need any specific reference numbers or just your SSN and basic info? I'm definitely calling tomorrow but want to make sure I have everything ready. The stress of waiting when you need your car for work is so real! š
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Vincent Bimbach
I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Filed early February, got the identity verification letter, went in person last Thursday, and still showing "Action Required" on WMR. It's so nerve-wracking when you're waiting for that refund money. From what I've learned lurking in these forums, it seems like the 7-9 business day window is pretty standard, but every situation is different. Since you verified Monday, you're probably still within that normal timeframe. One thing that helped me stay sane was creating an account on IRS.gov and checking my tax transcript - sometimes it shows more detailed info than WMR about what's actually happening with your return. The codes can be confusing but at least you might see if the verification was processed on their end. Really hoping yours updates soon! The car repair situation adds so much extra stress when your income depends on it. Keep us posted on how the phone call goes if you decide to call that verification line! š¤
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Malik Thompson
ā¢@Vincent That's really smart about checking the tax transcript! I didn't even think about that. I'm new here but dealing with a similar situation - filed in late February and just did my identity verification yesterday. The waiting game is brutal, especially when you see all these different timeframes people mention (7 days vs 9 days vs 3 weeks). Quick question for everyone - when you check your transcript, are there specific codes that indicate the verification went through? I created my IRS account but honestly have no idea what I'm looking at with all those numbers and dates. Would love to know what to look for so I'm not just staring at a bunch of confusing codes! Really hoping both yours and @Kingston's situations get resolved quickly. This whole process seems way more complicated than it needs to be! š«
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Gabriel Freeman
Hey Kingston! I completely understand your frustration - I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago with my rideshare income. The "Action Required" status after in-person verification is actually pretty normal, even though it's incredibly stressful when you're depending on that refund for essential expenses like car repairs. Since you verified on Monday, you're still well within the typical processing window. From my experience and what I've seen others report here, the system usually takes 5-9 business days to update after in-person verification. I know that feels like forever when you need your car running to keep earning! A few things that might help while you wait: ⢠Set up alerts through the IRS2Go app so you'll know immediately when it updates ⢠Check your tax transcript online - sometimes it shows processing activity before WMR updates ⢠Keep that confirmation from your in-person verification handy in case you need to reference it If it's still showing "Action Required" by next Tuesday (giving it the full week), then definitely call that 800-830-5084 number that others mentioned. In my case, everything resolved on day 6 and my refund was direct deposited two days later. Hang in there - you did everything right by going in person to verify. The system just needs time to catch up! ššŖ
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Mei Wong
ā¢@Gabriel This is exactly what I needed to hear! I'm in a similar boat - did my verification last Wednesday and still waiting. The timeline you mentioned (6 days for you) gives me hope that it should update soon. I've been checking WMR obsessively every few hours which probably isn't helping my stress levels! š Question for you - when your status finally updated, did it go straight from "Action Required" to "Refund Approved" or were there other status changes in between? Just trying to manage my expectations here. Also really appreciate the tip about the IRS2Go app - downloading that now so I can stop refreshing the website constantly! @Kingston Hope yours updates soon too! The car repair stress when it's your livelihood is so real. Fingers crossed for both of us! š¤
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Lim Wong
Hey Kingston! I just went through this exact same situation a few weeks ago - also gig work income, also needed my refund urgently for car expenses. The "Action Required" status after in-person verification is totally normal but I know how stressful it is when you're waiting! Since you verified on Monday, you're definitely still in the normal processing window. In my case, it took exactly 8 business days for WMR to update after my in-person verification. The IRS rep told me their systems batch process these updates, so it's not instant even though you'd think it would be. A couple things that helped me: ⢠Download the IRS2Go app for push notifications - saves you from obsessively checking WMR ⢠Call 800-830-5084 if you want peace of mind that your verification went through properly ⢠Your tax transcript might show processing codes before WMR updates I totally get the car repair urgency - when your income depends on your vehicle, every day waiting feels like lost money. But from everything I've seen here and experienced myself, you should see movement by early next week. The verification process works, it's just painfully slow! Keep us posted on when it updates - these success stories help everyone else going through the same thing! š
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PaulineW
ā¢@Lim This is so reassuring to hear from someone who just went through this! 8 business days is right in that window everyone's been mentioning. I'm on day 4 since my verification so hopefully just a few more days to go. Quick question - when you called that 800-830-5084 number, were you able to get through easily or did you have long wait times? I'm debating whether to call now for peace of mind or just wait it out since I'm still in the normal timeframe. Also, did your transcript show any specific codes when the verification was being processed? Really appreciate you sharing your timeline - it definitely helps knowing others have been in the exact same situation with gig work and car expenses. The stress is real when your livelihood depends on that vehicle! Thanks for the encouragement! š
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Savannah Vin
Kingston, I totally feel your stress about this! I'm actually dealing with something similar right now - verified my identity last Friday and still seeing "Action Required" on WMR. It's especially nerve-wracking when you need that refund for work essentials. From reading through all these responses, it sounds like the 5-9 business day window is pretty standard, so since you verified Monday, you're still well within that timeframe. I'm definitely going to try that IRS2Go app for alerts that several people mentioned - seems way better than refreshing WMR constantly! One thing I'm wondering - did the IRS office give you any kind of receipt or confirmation when you verified in person? I got a little slip but wasn't sure if that's important to keep. Also planning to call that 800-830-5084 number if mine doesn't update by early next week. Really hoping yours processes soon so you can get your car sorted and keep working! The gig economy struggles are real when your vehicle is your lifeline. Keep us posted when it updates! š¤
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