Many taxpayers are frustrated by IRS delays and a lack of information from Where’s My Refund
Going into this tax season we knew that refunds were going to be delayed. Right off the bat the IRS increased the time frame within which most people can expect their refund. Instead of the old 8-15 days it suddenly became “under 21 days.”
Then the fiscal cliff nuttiness in Congress pushed the start of the season back two weeks to January 30th. These two changes alone meant that lots of people would be getting their money 2-3 weeks later than usual.
But as the tax season has progressed, the IRS has run into even more problems. Before the start of the season this year the IRS made some changes to its system to try to cut down on instances of tax fraud and identity theft, which affected over a million taxpayers last year. This is a huge relief to anyone who’s had their Social Security number or refund stolen.
Once the season started, however, the IRS discovered some problems with this new system that required a little fine-tuning. These adjustments caused many returns to be delayed for an additional week.
Now the IRS is experiencing even more delays, many of which are affecting the Where’s My Refund tool that millions of taxpayers check obsessively to track the progress of their refund. For many, the tool has been providing absolutely no information about when they can expect their refund. The IRS hopes to have the problem resolved within a few days, but for now, all anxious taxpayers can do is wait.
The message from the IRS reads:
We are aware that some taxpayers who have filed electronically and received an acknowledgement from the IRS are concerned when they visit ‘Where’s My Refund’ and are told that we have no information regarding their return. This is a temporary situation, and we expect to resolve the matter in a few days. At that time, taxpayers will be able to get an expected refund date when they visit ‘Where’s My Refund.’
Here’s what you can do: be patient. Repeatedly calling the IRS and complaining isn’t going to get your money any faster. In fact, it’s probably just slowing the agency down. The same goes for your tax preparer. They are not in control of your return, the do not have any inside information from the IRS, and they cannot do anything to speed that agency’s processing of your return.
If your return was accepted by the IRS, rest assured that they have it and they are working as fast as a massive federal bureaucracy can to get your refund out to you. Keep calm and, well, carry on.
Photo via [ rachael ] on Flickr.
Ive called repeatedly to only be given a different answer each time, I filed on the 30th of January, it was recieved on the 15th of February. After three weeks of not receiving any updates, I called was told that my return had an error, it was correct and had been released on the 9th of March. Called back a week later and was told an additional 1-2 weeks, called back that same day to ask another question and was told something totally different. I am so frustrated with the IRS.
Talked to IRS yesterday, they said my return is out of the error processing department now and I have to wait an additional 4 weeks before I receive it. How is that right?
Yeah,,, they told me that too,, but still nothing and now I have to wait another 30 days.
What is the number where you can call I have tried all the numbers I can I efiled on Feb 18 and have not been able to get on the where’s my refund it says you have to wait 24 hours it’s been three weeks people come on
Hi Louise, the IRS phone number is 800-829-1040. If you filed your tax return on RapidTax, feel free to reach out to our team with any questions you may have. Our number is 877-244-0708.
Hello it’s now Feb 23 2017 and I filed my taxes on Feb 5 2017 and they were accepted the same day and for about a week now the where’s my refund website has been saying Take Action there is a delay in processing your refund and then under the contact it says reference 1541 but I have no tax topic or error codes so I really need to know what’s going on I really need that money.. can anyone help please?????
I advise you contact an IRS agent on 1-800-829-1040 to obtain an updated status of your refund.
I was told the same thing, i filed jan 26th
I e-filed my return on Jan.30th through HRblock. on the 14th of Feb. the IRS received my return and have not been able to get any info on it since. apparently i am in the 1% that does not get their refund in less than 21 days. im like MR. Johnson what is their excuse now. I wonder if I could charge them interest for keeping my money so long like they would if I had to pay in? Ha
I e-filed was on Jan 29th and it still say processing. Today is 54 days and I can’t get an answer on what’s going on.
I filed that same day and still nothing… This has caused me more stress than I can handle I am so behind on everything
OK what is there excuse now. Its been well over 21 days since they said they received my refund. And I still have no damn date. From now on I’ll hold out for as long as I can from ever paying another federal tax..
I agree with you. I am really hating the IRS right now. You get penalties for paying late, but they can take their sweet ass time to send you your refund. They even sent me a letter stating that I should expect something to happen within 60 days from the date of the letter. Well, guess what? The time has come and gone now and still nothing. Now, I have to wait another 30 days and hope something happens then.
Guess someone did identity theft on me back in 2011. Well, that’s not my problem! They didn’t even tell me anything about it until I kept calling this year for my tax refund. They should have common courtesy to tell you when something happens to your account, but no they are the IRS.. They think they are above and beyond. Well, hopefully someone someday does identity theft to them and they have to wait forever for their tax refund then they’ll know how it feels to have to wait so long for something they had no control over!!
I can hardly wait to file my taxes next year. LMAO
This was posted on Feb, 26the, the IRS WMR is still not providing any information on due dates and it is past a few days, so now what’s their excuse!
I e-filed with turbo tax on Feb 5 they said I have to wait 6 to 8 weeks. I wanted them to hurry up because I need my funds I shouldn’t have to this long! It’s been 2 months!