How long IRS can hold for refund? My case been held for over 180 days.

[DoninGA]

There is no timeframe for how long the IRS can take to process a tax return before issuing a tax refund.

If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds

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 3 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

[VolvoGirl]

When they do send the refund they should add interest to it.  Keep track of the interest, it will be taxable next year.

[Ifrances]

I thought they had an ASED- an assessment expiration date. 3 years from the time u filed. Within that time if they sent u a letter, then there’s still the expiration. Mine has been held for almost 3 years bc I claimed my kid for the first time and I’m owed a lot of money back. I sent them everything 2x and physically went in 2x. It’s been 1.5 years since I got the letter where they said they made the correction- which was more $. I’ve seen they reviewed it and still no issues. 

[CatinaT1]

You will need to contact the IRS for information. It might be easiest to set up an account with them.

IRS Individual Online Account  

• Taxpayers with a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number can create or access their IRS Individual Online Account to get information they need to file their return.
• With an IRS Individual Online Account, people can:
• View balance owed, payment history and schedule payments.
• Cancel scheduled payments.
• Get transcripts.
• View or create payment plans.
• See digital copies of some IRS notices.
• View key data from their most recently filed tax return, including adjusted gross income.
• Validate bank accounts and save multiple accounts, eliminating the need to re-enter bank account information every time they make a payment.
• View, approve and electronically sign power of attorney and tax information authorizations from their tax professional.