Yes, identity verification is more common than ever this year due to constant attempts by criminals to steal identities and money.
There's an online verification process that's much less time consuming than what you are describing. Usually, you are verified in just days.
Here is an FAQ about handling identity verification requests from the IRS.
Once your return is filed, TurboTax has no control over the processing of your return or the release of your refund.
Here are a couple FAQs to track your refund:
When will I get my federal tax refund?
How do I track my state refund?
Why does Where's My Refund say "approved" but TurboTax still says "accepted"?
irs cannot verify my identity although I have filed multiple times with turbo tax they said I had to meet in person with an irs agent so I tried to schedule an appointment and there were no appointment times in the entire state of florida for weeks then they told me I could send verification to an austin tx address which I did what now? they said it could take 16 weeks to resolve based on all of the info I had to send it seems like a new version of an audit more than an identity issue
Yes, identity verification is more common than ever this year due to constant attempts by criminals to steal identities and money.
There's an online verification process that's much less time consuming than what you are describing. Usually, you are verified in just days.