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New Member
posted Apr 12, 2021 4:09:20 AM

Have not received my federal tax refund

Why is it taking so long to receive my federal tax refund

1 5 964
5 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 12, 2021 1:53:03 PM

The IRS says that it will issue 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days.  However, the IRS is overwhelmed by:

  • The Covid-19 pandemic,
  • The issuance of three rounds of stimulus checks,
  • The implementation of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 signed into law in December,
  • The implementation of the American Rescue Plan signed into law in March,
  • These laws generated many, many revisions in the tax law.

IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time but you may call 800-829-1040.

 

Keep checking for refund information at IRS Where's My Refund.

 

 

Level 2
Apr 12, 2021 1:54:18 PM

My TurboTax return was filed electronically and accepted by the IRS on March 9th.  It is April 12th, and no signs of a refund yet.  I don't think that it has ever taken more than 10 days in the past to see my refund, but its been 34 days so far and nothing...

Intuit Alumni
Apr 12, 2021 2:00:44 PM

Different factors can impact the processing time of your refund, however, an IRS representative will be able to access your return and provide insight into why your return may be delaying. Please click here for IRS contact information. Also, please visit the IRS Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions help article below for more information.

 

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

Level 2
May 1, 2021 4:37:31 AM

UPDATE:

As of May 1st, still no refund...

Expert Alumni
May 1, 2021 2:39:49 PM

You will have to be patient - a whole lot of people are experiencing the same issue.  

 

If you filed your 2020 taxes and haven't received your refund, your experience is very common -  the IRS is encountering major delays in processing 2020 tax returns, and is almost impossible to reach by phone. 

  

The IRS Where’s My Refund? site is still the best first place to go for information. 

 

Everything the IRS has to say about refunds is at Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions. If you read this carefully, you will see they are not making any promises. 

 

Why is this happening? Tax season (normally Jan 1 - Apr 15) is the busiest time of the year for the IRS. This year, they have also had to deal with major changes in the tax law, including ones that were passed retroactively in the past two weeks. They are also struggling with the same COVID workplace and workforce issues the rest of the country has encountered. 

 

See the following article for additional information on Where is my damn IRS tax refund?