I was in the same boat last week and kept getting the automated message when calling the regular IRS number. So frustrating! According to the IRS.gov website wait times are 45+ minutes this time of year. I used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) and got through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes who confirmed my refund was approved but just waiting for final processing. Worth every penny not to waste hours on hold.

Have you checked your transcript for any codes? Sometimes your account transcript will show pending actions before the WMR tool updates. And did the representative mention anything about PATH Act delays if you claimed certain credits? I'm slightly worried because I'm at day 19 and still nothing showing on my transcript, which seems unusual compared to previous years when I could at least see that my return was received.

There's an important distinction between processing date and cycle code that might help explain what you're seeing. The processing date is often just a placeholder, while your cycle code (which should be visible on your transcript - it's an 8-digit number ending in 01-05) actually determines when updates happen. Have you checked what your cycle code is? If it ends in 05, you're on the weekly update schedule which typically happens Thursday night/Friday morning. If it ends in 01-04, you're on daily updates. This would explain your previous patterns of Sunday deposits after Thursday/Friday updates.

My experience with amended documentation compared to regular returns is quite different from what most people describe. Last year, I filed a regular return on February 10th and received my refund on February 27th. This year, I filed on February 5th but had to submit amended documentation on February 7th, and I didn't receive my refund until March 12th. That's nearly two extra weeks of processing time. I've spoken with several tax professionals who confirmed that any amended paperwork typically adds 7-14 days to processing time, regardless of what the processing date shows on your transcript.

I went through identity verification last month. Called 800-830-5084 directly. No letter needed. Waited 47 minutes. They asked about previous addresses, loan amounts, and filing history. Verification completed in one call. Return processed 12 days later. Worth the wait.

Just to clarify something important - you do NOT need the letter to call the identity verification line. The letter just tells you that you need to verify. If you suspect you need to verify your identity (like if Where's My Refund shows no progress or you received notification about your amended return needing verification), you can proactively call 800-830-5084. They'll determine if you actually need to go through the verification process.

I just went through this exact scenario! Got my "Your Tax Return Refund Is On The Way" email on April 2nd with a DDD of April 5th. I was checking my account balance every hour (not exaggerating). The funds appeared in my account at exactly 12:01 AM on April 5th. My credit union (USAA) is known for posting government deposits right at midnight on the effective date. The Transaction Code 846 on my transcript matched exactly with my DDD. Everything went perfectly according to the IRS timeline.

Got my email March 18. DDD was March 21. Money showed up March 21 at 3am. Bank of America. This has been consistent for the past three years. They don't release early. They don't hold it. Exactly on DDD. I've learned not to expect it sooner despite what friends with other banks experience. Your bank's policies matter more than the IRS email timing.

I was denied too. Called IRS directly. Waited three hours. Got disconnected. Tried again. Same result. Used Claimyr instead. Got through in 15 minutes. Agent confirmed my return was fine. No flags. Just normal processing. Advance denial wasn't on their end. Just TurboTax being picky. Worth the fee to stop worrying. https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c

Tbh the whole TT advance thing is kinda a mess this yr. Lots of peeps getting denied for no clear reason. From what I've seen in the FB groups, ppl who filed around the same time are getting their normal refunds regardless of whether they got approved for the advance or not. IRS is moving pretty quick for most folks - way better than last yr's disaster. FWIW, my friend who got denied the advance actually got her refund BEFORE her friend who was approved for the advance lol. The system makes zero sense sometimes.