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

[Sepro51]

I filed Feb 5th and mine still says the same as yours prison the stimulus give my refund it's a he'll of a lot more I can use for things

[Crystal83]

Yeah I filed Jan 31 2019, received a letter dated March 16th stating they were reviewing my return and would an additional 60 days.. I file with TurboTax every year same bank account same job same two kids every year. Nothing has changed.. Well it's been almost 60 days and still nothing, and NO ONE TO CALL NO ONE IN THE OFFICE!!! 

[GiseleD]

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this. Unfortunately, the IRS is extremely understaffed due to COVID-19. This has impacted the processing of e-filed returns. If you do not receive your refund by the time the IRS resumes normal operations, please reach out to them at 800 829 1040.

@Crystal83

[leonsceco]

Guys and Gals, it's important that you understand what's going on and what your options are. I myself have not received my refund and it's way past the deadline, but I'm not worried.

Steps to consider:

1. Call the Tax Advocate office and leave a message as indicated.

2. Understand that late payments are growing in interest "BY THE DAY!"

3. If you're surviving, you're fine for now, it can be tough, but brighter days ahead!

4. Calling the IRS will NOT speed up the process, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.

[Jlzayas619]

Unfortunately the IRS can't get their act together. I filed Jan 28 2020, by April 2020 I got a tax advocate. He was able to get my refund direct deposit May 13th. During that time my refund was stopped by the IRS system stating that I am deceased or in prison. So I had to reopen my case with the advocate. I had to call the US treasury, they told me that I owed child support or state/federal debt which I don't. They then gave me a number to talk to the IRS because this so called debt collector reject the payment saying they have no clue who I am, but the number was to the stimulus hotline. The fiscal and treasury department gave me nothing but a run around. I finally got ahold of someone with the IRS who was able to give me a answer. She told me that I owe no debts and clearly can see I am not in prison nor dead. There was a glitch in their system and I have to wait until mid Summer for it to be fixed and they will send my a check. So August 1st I need to check back. She also told me never seen it happen to a tax return, only to the stimulus checks.

It is clear that 1 out of 100 employees at the IRS have a clue what they are doing and the 99 employees are very lazy doing their jobs and have no clue what is going on.

As for this glitch I think it's all BS.

[AprilR0316]

Thank you for these helpful tips!!! My E-filed, direct deposit return was accepted 2/27/2020. I received a letter to verify my identity (which ever form # that is) ON the original quoted return date. I followed all instructions and was quoted an additional 9 weeks to wait. I feel as though I have been running around like a dog chasing his tail to find some CONCRETE steps to follow outside of the "refund tool"and the not so user friendly IRS.gov menus. Even if I am unable to determine the date my refund will truly be issued, I'm grateful for your insight to a new direction.

Much appreciation to you!

P.S. I realize the IRS are people too, doing jobs and on quarantine and such... but with all the other processing going on for "relief" it sure would be nice to just receive an update and not be left in the dark 😁 Almost feels like a SWITCHARROO 

[BiBaltimore63]

I file my 2019 income tax in why haven’t I got my first stimlus check file April or May in keep getting run around in excuses why

[BiBaltimore63]

Did mines direct deposit so what’s going on claim a lot of pepole still didn’t get there first one is that true

[xmasbaby0]

@BiBaltimore63

The IRS can look at your 2018 or 2019 return to issue a stimulus check.  If they do not have a 2018 return then you may be waiting for them to finish processing 2019 before they will be able to use it to issue your stimulus check.

TurboTax has no control over your stimulus check, nor can TT track it for you or tell you when the IRS will issue it. Refer to the sites linked below:

You can call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835 to get updates on your stimulus payment.  

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center#nonfilertool

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/00/1393859

[Trina2u2]

It's been two years I filed call done everything I supposed to do and nothing they say I owe 500 since 2011 and never received anything since then if I owe anything they should have subtracted from you all the years I filed

[xmasbaby0]

@Trina2u2 

There are no other posts under your username Trina2u2

We have no context for the problem you are having. We have no details and have no way to see your account or your tax returns.  If you filed a 2019 tax return then your only source of information now is the IRS.  If the IRS is saying you owe, then you have to sort it out with the IRS.  TurboTax cannot intercede with the IRS for you.  If you think you do not owe the IRS you can seek help from a Tax Advocate:

At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your area's IRS Taxpayer Advocate.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

Also see this article for more info on how the Taxpayer Advocate Service works::
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html

[Darl1]

Hi, i am Darlene Moxley

I file my taxes through Turbo taxes Intuit and i haven't received my Federal taxes since February and still waiting. I received that it was approved but i received nothing yet. So what do i do about it.

[Anonymous]

It turns out that there is no set time schedule for when refunds have to be given to people who file taxes (and who qualify). This is probably not the answer that you wanted.  at the present time, the IRS does not want to be contacted about refunds and warns against filing another return.  The IRS was shut down for several months and now has millions of returns to process.  They will pay you interest on your delayed refund which will probably come in a separate check.

[Jcappock]

I am having the same exact problem return accepted in Feb. received the review with no further action letter. It is not September and I have no refund and have heard nothing. I tried calling and went through the below listed prompts only to be hung up on because they currently do not have the capacity to handle my call. Anyone have any other ideas of info? 

[VolvoGirl]

FYI - The IRS has started paying interest on Refunds.  I think even if they haven't paid the refund yet.   See IRS notice August 18, 2020
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/13-point-9-million-americans-to-receive-irs-tax-refund-interest-taxable...