Does it really take 9 weeks after identity verification to get refund?
What happens after I successfully verify? We'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account. However, if we find other problems, we'll contact you again and this may delay your refund.
How quickly will I get my refund? (updated December 22, 2023) We issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. However, if you mailed your return and expect a refund, it could take four weeks or more to process your return.
Self-Service is the most common verification method and takes 5-10 minutes to complete. To verify, you'll need: A mobile phone that has a camera or a computer with a webcam.
Please have your return (Form 1040 series) available and read the website or letter before starting the verification process. If you already verified your identity and tax information, you may check the status of your refund after 2-3 weeks.
According to the IRS, the agency issues most refunds within 21 days of filing online or four weeks of mailing your paper return, but a few circ*mstances could delay processing. Math errors or missing information are common culprits that can lead to longer waiting times.
Filing Method | E-File, Direct Deposit | Paper File, Check in Mail |
---|---|---|
Time from the day you file until you receive your refund* | 1-3 weeks | 2 months |
Remember, acceptance by the IRS doesn't mean approval of the refund yet—it just means you have made it to the starting line of the refund process. Keep an eye on the prize: most refunds, especially if you're using direct deposit, arrive within a 21-day window after acceptance.
To verify their identity with ID.me, taxpayers need to provide a photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. They'll also need to take a selfie with a smartphone or a computer with a webcam. Once their identity has been verified, they can securely access IRS online services.
The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days for taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit. However, some returns have errors or need more review and may take longer to process.
The IRS says that it resolves tax identity theft cases in 120 to 180 days, depending on your circ*mstances. But in many instances, victims of complex tax identity theft have experienced resolution times of more than one year.
How long is the wait after verifying identity?
After successful verification, it takes about 6 weeks to complete processing. The return will be rejected and investigated as identity theft/tax fraud if: Verification fails to confirm your identity or that you filed the return. If the verification process is not completed, or can't be completed.
The IRS sends a 5071C letter when it receives a tax return with your name and tax identification number, but believes the return to be fraudulent. A Letter 5071C will ask you to complete an online identity verification process to confirm your identity.
The IRS manages audits either by mail or through an in-person interview to review your records. The interview may be at an IRS office (office audit) or at the taxpayer's home, place of business, or accountant's office (field audit).
What happens after I successfully verify? We'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account. However, if we find other problems, we'll contact you again and this may delay your refund.
Tax season began on Jan. 29, 2024, when the IRS started accepting and processing 2023 tax returns. As of the week ending March 8, the agency has processed about 62 million returns and issued more than 43 million refunds. To date, the average refund issued in 2024 is $3,145.
Most Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) related refunds should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb. 27 if taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.
Taxpayers whose tax returns have been flagged for possible IDT should receive one of the following letters: Letter 5071C, Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing with Online Option – Provides online and phone options and is issued most widely.
You can check the status of your tax refund using Track My Refund. If your refund details state that it's still processing, you can check your tax return to see if you catch any errors. If your refund status instructs you to contact the IRS, you can speak to an agent to get clarification by calling 1-800-829-1040.
If a taxpayer receives the status update that their tax return was accepted but not approved, this means that the IRS has received their tax return, but they have not yet evaluated the information.
If your refund status used to be your tax return is still being processed, but now the status says it is being processed, the IRS may have detected an issue in your tax return that could cause a delay in the release of your tax refund.
Why is it taking so long to approve my refund?
The time it takes for the IRS to process and approve a federal tax refund can vary depending on several factors, including the method of filing, the accuracy of the return, the complexity of the return, and the volume of returns received by the IRS.
How long a refund is delayed depends on the issue with the return. The IRS often can correct math errors without involving taxpayers, so those refunds might be delayed just a few weeks. If there are concerns about possible identity theft, taxpayers could wait more than a year, according to the IRS.
As a technology provider, ID.me only provides identity verification for IRS applications. ID.me Support can help with questions related to: The verification process.
The IRS customer service chat is similar to many other automated chat services that can transfer you to a real person if the robot cannot help solve your question or concern. On eFile.com, you will be immediately connected with a real person to help with your taxes or answer general questions.
Then, the taxpayer should call the IRS using the toll-free Identity Verification telephone number: (800) 830-5084. If the taxpayer did not file the return in question, they should still call the toll-free number to inform the IRS.
References
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