Congrats on getting through the in-person verification! That's honestly the hardest part of this whole process. I went through something similar about 6 weeks ago and the waiting after verification was almost worse than the initial ID theft issues. From my experience, your transcript should update within the next week or so. I saw my first changes on day 9 after verification - got the 971 notice code and 571 resolution code that others have mentioned. Then my 846 refund code appeared 6 days later. One thing I learned is that the IRS systems don't always sync up perfectly, so don't panic if your transcript updates but WMR still shows processing. The transcript is usually more accurate and updates first. Since you're newlyweds filing jointly for the first time, that might add a tiny bit of extra processing time as their system cross-references both of your previous filing histories, but nothing major. You should definitely see movement within the next 10-14 days. Hang in there!

Welcome to the waiting game! I just went through this exact process about 3 weeks ago and completely understand the anxiety. After my in-person verification, my transcript updated on day 11 with the 971/571 codes everyone's mentioned, then got my 846 refund code 7 days later. One thing that helped my sanity was setting specific days to check rather than obsessively refreshing. I checked Mondays and Thursdays since those seem to be when most updates happen. The good news is that once you've done the in-person verification, you're basically in the express lane compared to people stuck in mail verification limbo. Your case is actively being processed now rather than sitting in a queue. Also, don't worry too much if your first joint return takes a couple extra days - the system sometimes needs a bit more time to validate when it's processing a new filing status for both SSNs. But you should definitely see something within the next 2 weeks. Keep us posted on your progress!

Have you considered that this might actually be a blessing in disguise? If you file again with a different company, wouldn't that just create more confusion in the system? And what happens if both returns suddenly get processed? Would the IRS think you're trying to claim twice? Sometimes patience, while frustrating, is the best approach with tax matters, wouldn't you agree?

I went through something very similar with FreeTaxUSA last year. After 4 weeks of "not received" on WMR, I was ready to file again too. Here's what saved me from making a huge mistake: 1. **Get your IRS transcript first** - Go to irs.gov and create an account to view your 2024 transcript. This shows WAY more detail than WMR and updates faster. 2. **Check for ACK (acknowledgment) from Chime** - Look for an email or notification with your submission ID. If you have this, the IRS definitely received it. 3. **21-day rule is real** - The IRS legally has 21 days to process e-filed returns. You're at 3 weeks, so you're right at the edge. DO NOT file twice! I almost did and my tax preparer warned me it would create a "duplicate return" flag that could delay your refund by months. Since you need this money for medical bills, that's the last thing you want. If the transcript shows nothing after checking this weekend, then call the IRS Monday morning at 7am sharp (800-829-1040) when call volume is lowest. Good luck!

I just went through this verification process about 6 weeks ago, so your timing with this question is perfect! Here's what I learned from my experience: The verification itself was actually pretty straightforward once I got through to someone. I tried the 7am calling strategy that everyone mentions here, and it worked - got through on my third attempt. The agent asked me to confirm some basic info from my 2023 and 2022 returns (previous addresses, filing status, AGI amounts, etc). The whole call took maybe 15 minutes. After verification, it took exactly 5 weeks for my refund to hit my account. I obsessively checked my transcript every few days and watched for those code changes people mentioned - saw the 570 hold code disappear and then got the 846 refund issued code about a week before the money actually arrived. One thing I wish someone had told me: save the date you completed verification and mark your calendar for the 9-week point. That way you have a realistic expectation and won't drive yourself crazy checking daily. The IRS really does seem to be processing these slower than they used to. For your home repairs - definitely have a backup plan for financing just in case it takes longer than expected. But based on most experiences here, you should see your refund sometime in the next 6-8 weeks if you get verified soon. Good luck!

I went through identity verification earlier this year and wanted to share my experience since I see you're just starting this process. The verification itself isn't too bad - I did mine over the phone after calling the number on my letter at exactly 7am (that timing tip really works!). They asked me to confirm info from my 2022 and 2023 returns like previous addresses, AGI amounts, and filing status. The waiting period after verification is definitely the hardest part. Mine took about 7 weeks from verification to refund, which was longer than I hoped but shorter than the 9 weeks they quoted me. I found that checking my transcript once a week (not daily) helped me stay sane - you'll want to watch for code 571 (hold released) followed by 846 (refund issued). Since you mentioned needing the money for home repairs this summer, I'd suggest having a backup plan just in case it takes the full 9 weeks or longer. Some people here have waited much longer unfortunately. But the good news is that almost everyone eventually gets their refund processed. The key is just patience and persistence with getting through to verify in the first place. Good luck!

As a newcomer to both this community and the world of payroll taxes, I have to say this thread has been absolutely incredible! I just graduated and started my first full-time job, and my paystub looked like it was written in a foreign language. Reading through everyone's experiences has been like getting a master class in real-world tax education that I definitely didn't get in college. The biggest eye-opener for me was learning that FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) are calculated completely differently from federal income taxes when it comes to pre-tax deductions. I had no clue that my 401(k) contributions would still be subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes even though they reduce my federal income tax withholding. That explains so much about why my numbers weren't adding up! I'm particularly grateful for all the tool recommendations, especially taxr.ai for analyzing paystubs and Claimyr for reaching the IRS. As someone who's been dreading the thought of having to call government agencies about potential payroll errors, knowing there are services that can actually get you through to real people is such a relief. What really strikes me is how this started as one person's question about OASDI withholding and evolved into this comprehensive resource covering HSA exemptions, Medicare surtaxes, wage base limits, and even how to get refunds for incorrectly withheld taxes. This is exactly the kind of practical financial knowledge that should be standard curriculum but never is. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - I'm definitely bookmarking this as my go-to reference for navigating payroll tax confusion!

As someone who just entered the workforce this year, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I was completely lost when I first looked at my paystub - all these different wage amounts and tax calculations that seemed to follow no logical pattern. The biggest revelation for me was understanding that Social Security and Medicare taxes operate under completely different rules than federal income tax when it comes to pre-tax deductions. I had been assuming that if something reduced my taxable income, it would reduce ALL my taxes equally. Learning that my 401(k) contributions still get hit with the full 7.65% FICA rate while only my HSA contributions are exempt was a real wake-up call. What really impressed me about this thread is how it evolved from a simple payroll question into this comprehensive guide covering everything from Medicare surtax thresholds to Form 843 refund procedures. The tool recommendations like taxr.ai for document analysis and Claimyr for IRS communication sound incredibly useful - I'm definitely going to try them to verify my own calculations. It's honestly frustrating that we're expected to navigate these complex tax systems without any formal education on how they actually work. Thank goodness for communities like this where people share real-world experiences and practical solutions. This thread should be required reading for anyone starting their first job with benefits!

Just be careful about claiming too many business expenses if your business isn't showing a profit yet! The IRS has a "hobby loss rule" where if you don't show a profit in 3 out of 5 years, they might classify your business as a hobby and disallow all your deductions. I learned this the hard way when my crafting business got audited. Make sure you're keeping good records and can show that you're running things in a businesslike manner with the intention to make a profit.

Great question! I've been through this exact situation with my consulting business. For your laptop, you're absolutely right that you can only deduct 75% since that's your business use percentage - keep a log of this usage pattern in case you're audited. The chair and desk are 100% deductible since they're used exclusively for business, and it doesn't matter that they're in your living room rather than a dedicated office. The key is exclusive business use, not location. One tip that saved me money: consider whether to use Section 179 expensing to deduct everything in year one, or depreciate the items over time. For your laptop at $1,800, you could deduct $1,350 (75%) immediately, or spread it over 5 years. Since you're new to self-employment, immediate expensing might help offset your business income better. Also, don't forget about other potential deductions like business use of your home internet, cell phone, or any business-related software subscriptions. These smaller items add up quickly!