I also forgot to mention that I was in the verifying process but without the control number I am unable to proceed and can't do anything. Only two options I get is yes - input the number or no and get sent a new one

Here are my annual words of caution since some are so eager to file the returns early….remember patience is a virtue and don't plan on your refund being in your account on a certain date then you won't be disappointed or overdrawn.  It is very possible that you  get a DD date then it gets put on hold while the IRS reviews the account which can delay it for months. Do not be in a rush to transmit the return … once you press that button you cannot stop the filing or make any changes until the IRS accepts or rejects the return.

A couple of years ago the IRS started verifying W-2 forms before issuing a refund which means filing your return before the W-2 is issued will not work since your return will be held up until the employer has filed the W-2 with the IRS. And if you have Earned Income Credit or the Additional Child Tax credit the returns cannot be processed at all until 2/15 so those refunds will not hit until late February at the earliest … see this page : 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2018-tax-filing-season-begins-jan-29-tax-returns-due-april-17-help-available-for-taxpayers 


The IRS no longer processes returns in first in first out batches. They are processed individually so returns sent in at the same time will not necessarily process together.

The IRS states that 9 of 10 returns will process in 21 days or less from being accepted not filed. However considering that the IRS processes more than 140 million returns that means 14 million will be delayed for more than 21 days. 

Think of the IRS process as a long pipe line. Some returns will be rejected before being allowed into the pipe and the rest will be accepted. Then once accepted into the pipeline many will process directly through without any delays and some will not.  Some returns will be siphoned off for further review of some kind. The basis of what triggers these reviews is a well guarded secret but some are just picked randomly every year.

Some reviews are automated and some will require human attention. The processing times will vary and due to the continued understaffing situation and the gov shutdown  they are likely to take much longer this year than last.

If you recieved that letter we should have already received the verification letter long time ago. Which makes me believe no letter will be mailed just taking longer to process that’s all and we all submitted too early 

Something that will hold up the processing of a return is this ... if you submit your return before the IRS has received and processed your tax reporting forms received from your employers and other payers which show federal withholding on them.  Until the IRS can confirm  the withholding from those sources is the same as what you claimed on your 1040 they will hold your return in the processing pipeline.   Just because you got the tax form doesn't mean the payer filed it yet ... many payers will hold the filing with the feds until the last minute to allow the employees to report errors on the forms.  This way they can make the corrections before they file the forms and save them having to file corrected forms which are a pain in the butt.