If you're really struggling, you might possibly want to consider looking into an Offer in Compromise instead of just hardship status. It could potentially allow you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount if you qualify. The form for that is 656, but you'll still need to complete the 433 series forms as part of the application process.

I filed for hardship status on January 12th this year after losing my job in December. Completed Form 433-F with all my documentation showing I had essentially no income beyond unemployment benefits. Got approved on February 8th and collections immediately stopped. They'll review my case again in 6 months, but by then I should be back on my feet with my new job starting next month. Don't listen to people saying the IRS won't work with you - they actually have reasonable hardship programs if you document everything properly.

What you're experiencing is likely related to the PATH Act verification process. When taxpayers claim certain refundable credits like the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS is required by law to perform additional verification steps before releasing refunds. This typically creates a processing delay that can extend 45-60 days beyond the standard 21-day timeframe. The absence of movement on Where's My Refund is actually quite normal during this extended verification period.

I might be able to offer some possibly relevant insight based on my experience. I filed on February 10th, was accepted on February 11th, and had a similar situation with credits. My WMR showed no movement for approximately 7 weeks, then suddenly updated to approved. The deposit appeared in my account 5 days later. In my case, it seems the IRS was simply processing a large backlog of returns, particularly those with credits that require additional verification under the PATH Act provisions.

This is typically a Taxpayer Authentication Failure in the WMR interface, not necessarily an issue with your actual return processing. The IRS uses a multi-stage verification algorithm that sometimes gets disrupted during database updates. Try these technical workarounds: 1. Clear your browser cache if using the website version 2. Uninstall and reinstall the app if using mobile 3. Try accessing WMR during off-peak hours (early morning) 4. Use your AGI from line 11 on Form 1040 instead of the refund amount 5. Request an account transcript which will show the actual status regardless of WMR functionality In approximately 60% of cases, this resolves within 72 hours without any action needed.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions), this error can happen for several reasons: 1. Information entered doesn't match their records 2. You've checked too many times in a 24-hour period 3. Your return is still being processed 4. There's a system update in progress I'm seeing a lot of posts about this on other forums too. Can anyone confirm if checking too frequently actually causes this error? I've been checking mine daily and wonder if I should stop.

I filed exactly 31 days ago on February 24th. Got my refund of $3,742 today, March 27th. The Where's My Refund tool updated at 3:45am this morning showing approved, and the money was in my account by 9:30am. My transcript showed code 846 with date 3/27 last Saturday.

If anyone's still waiting and feeling anxious, I recommend checking your account transcript instead of the Where's My Refund tool. It usually updates with more detailed information about your return status. You might feel worried seeing all those codes, but they can actually tell you more about what's happening with your return.

I deal with this issue frequently as a tax preparer. When the IRS switches to paper check, you should monitor your transcript for updates. • Paper checks typically show a different code sequence than direct deposits • You can track exactly when the check is mailed • Most paper checks are processed on Fridays • Allow 5-7 business days for delivery after mailing I recommend using https://taxr.ai to interpret your transcript - it explains what each code means for your specific situation and can help you pinpoint exactly when your check was mailed. It's especially helpful for tracking paper checks since the WMR tool is often less accurate for them.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/refunds/direct-deposit-limits), they've implemented several security measures that can trigger a switch to paper check. The most common reasons are: 1. The IRS identified a potential security issue with your bank account 2. You've reached the limit of three direct deposits to a single account 3. Your financial institution rejected the deposit It's worth checking your transcript for code 846 which indicates a refund issued. If the code appears with a future date, that's when your check will be mailed. Does anyone know if checking the "Where's My Refund" tool would show this change from direct deposit to paper check?