Filed February 11, still in processing. How long can IRS legally hold refund?

[Greg stokes]

I’ve been waiting for my federal taxes and my stimulus since February 4 this year and it says still processing.

[DoninGA]

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@Greg stokes wrote:

I received my state taxes, but have not received my federal taxes. I filed February 4 this year. 

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After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.
See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.
Or you can contact your local IRS office. See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment
Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area. See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll free number - http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

[tjeve920]

I filed Jan 28, 2020. Got about 6 letters of need 60 days or more. Nothing to do letters from March thru August. Got an Audit letter pretty much asking for the information I provide every single year. Proof I am who I am, proof that the same 2 kids I've filed for the last 16 and 14 years are mine, and why I'm head of household. Even tho I've filed that my girlfriend is disabled but receives no disability, I used to work everyday of the week 50 to 70 hours a week to buy food, pay the bills, and provide shelter with the same company for many years is hard to understand. And even tho I have filed my taxes like an American tax paying citizen should since I was 17 years old and I am 36 now, the irs still asks me these questions. I provide every inch of every document when I file and when they ask. Still I get nothing in response or even as simple as picking up the phone. But yet the government can give me this other money without question. Just drop it right into my account? Ha! And this tax service... Turbotax, like all other tax service says they'll provide you with help if needed and if something comes up such as an audit or when the irs has some disbelief im not who I claim to be and sends me 1600 things to return to them in 30 days, turbo tax or inuit is not there. They give you no warning. They just want that payment. For a service they failed to provide even tho they took your money. The irs and turbo tax, along with every single other tax service is a dang joke. And they should be ashamed. People have lost everything this year. This year has been the worst for hard working Americans. I busted balls at my company for 9 years. Worked my tail off to get to where I was. And for what?! To be let go due to a virus I can die from. Then can't find any other work, struggle day to day, month to month on a measly $158 a week when I was getting closer to 900 a week?! Lmao! A joke is what they are. And they wonder why people are beginning to rise up and fight back against this corrupt system. They are blind to their own ignorance. Turbo tax, the irs, and every other place is a joke. And deserve nothing. Hope everyone has better luck than me. This great nation needs a break. We the people must stand against any tyrant! Foreign or domestic. This country needs someone unlike trump and to actually LEAD! ....... ✌️

[dtk6802]

I'm with this guy above. Its been 10 months and I've yet to receive my refund.  I as well have a family 

[Lab840]

Hi! Thanks for replying. I have called the advocate servces. I have called the IRS offices. I got through once a couple months ago to a lady who said it had got to processing but n o one had put it trough. She walso said and apologized profusely that there was Not one drop of communication or any letters sent out to me. She said itd take another 8 weeks and then Id see soemthing...well its 8 weeks later and here I am again. No deposit in my bank, on the IRS website it says no information provided at this time, No one answers phone calls, the Advocate ceneter wont take any calls and offices are closed, and the systems always says to call back tomorrow because of high call volume. Now I am at a loss of what to do. I also havent received a 2nd stimulus check yet and I see that it cold be due to 2020 taxes not processed? so now I am not getting my refund or 2nd stimulus check?!?! This is crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kc1694]

I am still waiting as well. The Tax Payer Advocate has not gotten back to me in 1.5 months and . They don't return my call even with a case number. I also have not got my second stimulus check. I have not paid my business taxes all year because my 2019 tax return was for that.

AND now when I go to "Where's My Tax Refund" it no longer says it's "being processed", it now says they can't provide any info on my refund. Great.

This is totally crazy!! Thanks for responding to this thread - -somehow it helps knowing it's not just me going through this frustration. 

[Lab840]

Thanks for the reply. looks like we are in exactly the same boat...and sinking quick. Lets keep eachother updated in methods to try to get this problem fixed. Which method did you file a claim for your Tax Payer advocate service assistance: fax, call, actual mail, etc? 

[DanielV01]

A number of taxpayers are unfortunately in this situation this year.  Every year some returns take extra processing time for an unspecified detail that the IRS decides they need to look at closer.  Unfortunately, because of the delays caused by COVID-19, some of these refunds are still in the processing stage with the IRS.  While a direct phone call to the IRS may provide some answers, usually it is not the case and only patience works to eventually get the refund sent.  But it is an issue at the IRS, and any questions would need to be directed to them.

[kc1694]

I contacted the IRS for a tax advocate with a live call -- which sounded promising. They did follow up to a point and gave me a case number so maybe it is in a queue somewhere.

Patience is one thing but I have not paid my estimated business taxes for 2020 because my 2019 refund was for funding that -- so now I suppose I will get hit with a penalty for that. AND my gov healthcare hinges on my tax return status. Total chaos!

[Lab840]

YUP! Same here. I read more on the 2nd stimulus check that supposed to be coming out...and I may have misinterpreted, but believe that one may also not get sent out the stimulus #2, if the 2019 taxes havent been processed....so even more in the hole!?!?

[kc1694]

My question on this is what is Turbo Tax going to do to help us out?  If this form 8962 was required by them before filing my taxes none of this would be happening now.  I keep getting emails about filing for 2020 with them -- hahahahaha. :(

[Savagegang35]

I got the same letter in the end of october still no paper check, & now thats making my 600 payment come up as status unavailable 

[Butler8712]

Tax Advocates can't help you. They just resubmit your paperwork and wait for the irs like you are already doing. I have had one for 60 days now. Talk to her every 30 day just to hear her say nothing & I will call you in 30 more days. Don't wait your time. 

[Butler8712]

Tax advocates can't help you. They wait on the irs just like you are doing now. 

[Butler8712]

IRS on some bull**bleep**. They can quickly process these stimulus to millions twice. It has been a whole **bleep** year an still no refund. On top of that no refund no stimulus either. I am now preparing to file taxes again. Smh. We had no help this year. Thank god we made it through. But now Im **bleep** near at the point of being **bleep**ing homeless with 5 kids. I want to sue. Anybody know a lawyer???????