INJURED SPOUSE

[TMLR1908]

I e-filed my fed tax return via turbotax on Feb 2nd, which included my completed injured spouse form. This is my 3rd year doing so, therefore I am aware of how the process works, I know it takes 11-14 wks to receive my paper check for my expected full refund. For the past two years it worked out this way without any major issues. So this year I did exactly the same thing, and I do not expect to receive my full refund check in the mail until approx. April 15-20th.  Well the dilemma is two days ago (3/25/20) I received a direct deposit in my bank account from IRS fed tax Return for an amount that is less than half of the full expected amount that I should be receiving in a paper check next month. Unfortunately due to the current covid-19 pandemic, being able to contact a real person via the IRS number is IMPOSSIBLE, I have been trying for the last few days and cannot get through to anyone. My local IRS office is also not an option, their line goes directly to an automated recording and you cannot leave a message or speak to anyone. I am at a loss, I cant speak to anyone to see what is going on and how to get this resolved. I don't know what else to do, in prior years I could easily get a live person via the IRS main line and they would transfer me to the injured spouse dept and I was able to speak to a specialist and have my questions answered, but now that isn't possible. As of today, I have checked the status of my return both online and over the phone and both say that my return has been accepted and is still in processing.....Any ideas or suggestions???

[macuser_22]

Sorry, only the IRS could answer that.  They should send a letter within 2-3 weeks explaining the reduction.

[TMLR1908]

I was never able to reach a live person at the mainline for IRS customer service, unbelievable how impossible it is to talk to someone, I've tried every morning mon-fri at 7am exactly and NOTHING. After going through all the prompts to lead you to speak with someone it then gives you the message that due to extreme call volumes during this time it is not possible to answer your call, try back another day.  I have given up on trying to talk with someone.  I did receive a letter yesterday stating that the amount I am missing from my portion of the expected refund was taken to pay my husbands debt. I don't understand how this could happen, I did exactly the same process for the past 2 years. Last year and the year before I submitted my complete injured spouse form with my tax return via turbotax, and both times I waited 12 or so weeks and I recieved my full expected return by mail in a paper check. So, I expected the same process this year, but no that did not happen, they processed my return as if my injured spouse form wasnt included and took the offset for my husband's debt and direct deposited what was left into my account. I did exactly the same thing as years prior, I dont understand why this happened. I can only hope the department that processes the injured spouse claim does their job correctly, identifying that this error was made and will then do their job and forward the amount of my return that was taken for the offset. I am so disappointed that this year didn't go as smoothly as the last 2 years. And what makes it more difficult is not being able to speak with anyone about this situation. 

[macuser_22]

Sorry, but all you can do is wait.    It is nearly impossible to call the IRS this time of a "normal" year - towards the end of tax season.  Since the IRS has been charged with administrating the Corona Stimulus payments there are hundreds of thousands of people flooding the phone lines looking for information.  I would not even think of calling the IRS until this is over.