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When I had a similar situation, I needed definitive answers directly from the IRS. Per Internal Revenue Manual 21.4.6, they should issue you a notice before offset, but waiting on hold for hours is ridiculous. I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of the 2+ hours I was experiencing before. The agent confirmed exactly when my refund would be offset and helped me set up an installment agreement for the remaining balance. If you need certainty about timing or want to discuss payment options, getting through to a live person is essential.
One technical detail worth noting: the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) matches your TIN against the Treasury's delinquent debtor database approximately 7-10 days after your return is accepted but before refund issuance. The transcript cycle codes will show sequence TC 898 (refund identified), followed by TC 898 with an offset indicator if they're applying it to your balance due. You should also watch for TC 971 AC 252 (indicates offset notification sent) and TC 826 (transfer between tax periods). These will appear on your 2023 Account Transcript once processing completes.
Try calling early. Really early. Like 7:01 AM. Local offices open at 8:30. But phone lines open earlier. I got through immediately. No waiting. Asked about my zero transcript. They saw a verification hold. Sent me a letter that day. Verified my identity online. Transcript updated three days later. Refund a week after that. Patience helps. But being proactive works better.
I might be able to offer some hope here... I was in a similar situation with my return filed on February 3rd. No movement for nearly 8 weeks, then suddenly everything updated at once. I was hesitant to call at first, thinking it wouldn't make a difference. When I finally did reach someone, they explained my return was selected for a random review - nothing I did wrong. The representative actually expedited the process once I explained our situation. Three days later, my transcript updated and my refund was deposited the following week. Sometimes just having someone actually look at your return can move it out of whatever digital limbo it's stuck in.
Tbh I'm not convinced there's any rhyme or reason to how they're processing these. Filed Feb 8th w/ both credits, still nothing. Friend filed Feb 12th, got DDD last week. Seems totally random. The WMR tool is useless - just says "still processing" for weeks. Doubt calling helps unless there's an actual problem. Might just be a waiting game for most of us.
Don't worry too much! The IRS is definitely processing returns with both credits - I just got mine yesterday! Filed on February 5th and waited exactly 31 days. It felt like forever because I really needed that money, but it did come through! The system is working, just a bit slower for some of us. Hang in there! š
According to the IRS operations dashboard (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations), they're currently processing returns received in late January/early February. Your timeline actually fits within their current processing window. The r/IRS community wisdom suggests that identity verification adds approximately 9-14 additional processing days. Stay calm and keep checking your transcript weekly rather than daily - many people report that constant checking seems to delay updates (though that's probably just perception bias).
Call Taxpayer Advocate Service. Free help. Better than waiting. Number is 877-777-4778. They can check status. Sometimes they can expedite if hardship.
Thx for this suggestion! I've dealt w/ TAS before when the IRS lost my amended return and they were super helpful. Just FYI for anyone considering this route - you usually need to demonstrate some kind of financial hardship (eviction, utilities shutoff, etc) for them to take your case, but they're def worth contacting if you're in that situation.
Mia Rodriguez
Filed 2/10, CTC only, got DD on 3/19. WMR showed 1 bar until 3/17, then jumped to approved. Transcript updated 3/15 w/ 846 code. SBTPG received $ same day. Hoping you get yours soon! FYI my cycle code was 20231105.
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Amelia Martinez
ā¢Did you have any 570/971 codes before getting the 846? I'm seeing those on my transcript and not sure if that means there's a problem.
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Ethan Clark
ā¢I had almost the exact same timeline! Filed 2/11, transcript updated 3/15, deposit hit my bank 3/20. The waiting is so stressful when you're counting on that money, but it seems like they're moving through our batch now.
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Mila Walker
IRS is processing approximately 1,183,000 returns per day during peak season. Returns with CTC only (no EITC) are averaging 24.3 days from acceptance to deposit in 2024, which is 3.2 days faster than 2023. If you filed on February 8th, statistical likelihood puts your deposit date between March 3rd and March 7th, assuming no review flags were triggered.
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