I had a similar experience with FreeTaxUSA and the EIC threshold confusion! The key thing that helped me understand was realizing that the income limits vary drastically based on whether you have qualifying children. Since you're single with no kids, your EIC income threshold is actually around $17,640 for 2024 taxes - way below your $43,750 income. The $59,899 figure you saw is probably for taxpayers with multiple qualifying children. It's frustrating because tax software doesn't always make these distinctions clear upfront. You might want to look into other credits you could qualify for instead - like the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit if you contributed to an IRA or 401k, or education credits if you had any qualifying education expenses. Sometimes there are credits available that we don't even know to look for!

I totally understand your frustration! I went through the exact same thing last year and it's so confusing when the software doesn't explain WHY you don't qualify. As others have mentioned, the EIC income limits are much lower for single filers without kids - around $17,640 for 2024 taxes. At $43,750, you're unfortunately above that threshold even though you're well below the limits for people with children. What really helped me was learning about other credits I actually did qualify for. Since you mentioned medical expenses, you might want to look into whether you can itemize deductions if your medical expenses exceeded 7.5% of your income. Also check if you qualify for the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit if you contributed to any retirement accounts, or see if there are any education-related credits available to you. The silver lining is that there are often other tax benefits available that aren't as well-known as the EIC. Don't get too discouraged - you might find some other ways to reduce your tax burden!

Last year I was in the same boat and learned a valuable lesson - always check both your online account AND call if something seems off. The verification letters are sent from a different facility than regular IRS correspondence and often get delayed. When I finally got through to someone, they told me my letter had been returned as undeliverable even though my address was correct in their system. The community here saved me weeks of waiting by suggesting I call directly!

I went through this exact situation earlier this year. My online account showed verification needed but no letter for over a month. I called the verification line at 800-830-5084 and they were able to verify me over the phone using questions about my prior year returns and personal information. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I got through. My refund was released within 2 weeks after that call. Don't wait for the letter - it might be sitting in a mail facility somewhere or got lost. The IRS representatives told me they're having significant delays with verification letters but can absolutely help you verify without it. Just have your prior year tax return handy when you call.

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad I found this thread! 😫 I literally just got my verification letter yesterday and was freaking out because I thought I did something terribly wrong! My WMR still shows the first bar too, and I'm getting so worried because I NEED this refund for some medical bills that are coming due. Does anyone know if responding online through the ID.me verification is faster than mailing back documents? I'm feeling so stressed about this whole situation!

I just went through this same situation about 3 weeks ago! Got my verification letter on day 14, way before the 21-day mark, and it completely threw me off too. Turns out it's becoming more common this year - the IRS is sending them earlier to manage their workload better. In my case, it was because I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and they needed to verify my income documentation. The amended docs you mentioned definitely could have triggered it - any time you submit additional paperwork, it can flag the return for manual review. A few things that helped me: • Don't panic - the letter doesn't mean you made an error • WMR won't update until after verification is complete • Respond as quickly as possible (I sent mine back within 3 days) • Keep copies of everything you send back My refund was released exactly 16 days after they received my verification response. The whole process added about 3 weeks total, but it wasn't nearly as scary as I initially thought. Just follow the letter's instructions precisely and you should be good to go!

Common IRS letter possibilities: • 1040-X acknowledgment (no action needed) • CP12 - adjustment notice (check if you agree with changes) • CP14 - balance due notice (payment required) • 5071C - identity verification (requires phone call) • 4883C - income verification (requires documentation) What to do: • Don't panic before reading it • Respond by the deadline if action is required • Keep copies of everything • Note the specific letter number for future reference Most amended return letters are routine. Just be prepared to provide documentation if requested.

I've been in this exact situation before! The disconnect between their systems is so frustrating - it's like each department operates in its own bubble. One thing I learned: if you're dealing with an amended return, the regular WMR tool isn't even designed to track those properly. You need to use the "Where's My Amended Return" tool instead, though honestly it's not much better. My experience: Got the mystery letter (turned out to be identity verification), blank transcript for another 2 weeks after that, then everything suddenly updated at once. The whole process took about 16 weeks total for my amended return. Pro tip: When you get that letter today, read it completely before doing anything. Some letters have very specific response methods (like calling a particular number vs. mailing documents) and using the wrong method can reset your processing timeline. Keep us posted on what the letter says! This community has been through it all and can help guide you based on the specific notice you receive.

I went through this last month and was fed up with waiting. Used taxr.ai to look at my transcript and figure out exactly what was happening. It showed me that my return was on hold with a specific verification code and explained what I needed to do. Helped me understand where things were stuck and gave me a game plan. Seriously a lifesaver when dealing with the black hole that is the IRS. https://taxr.ai

I'm dealing with the same frustrating situation! Filed in March and still waiting for my identity verification letter. The whole system seems completely broken. What's really bothering me is that they can flag our returns instantly for verification but then take months to send the letter we need to actually verify. Has anyone had luck with the in-person visits to IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers? I'm wondering if showing up with ID documents might be faster than waiting for this letter that may never come. My local office is about an hour away but at this point I'm desperate enough to make the drive. Also seeing some people mention these third-party services - are they legit or just taking advantage of people's desperation? The IRS process is so opaque that it's hard to know what's actually helpful vs what's just a money grab.