Problem with tax refund

[Ira]

The state is being held up because they need a letter from my daughter’s doctor that she is permanently disabled but they say it can take 160 days to get my refund now. Will it really take that long?

As for federal I can’t get in contact with them but it has been two weeks today since it was sent in and we have not moved at all in getting the refund. I don’t know if they are going to give me the same issue as the state or why they haven’t accepted my return yet or moved at all in two weeks. It says not to call till 21 days who do I even call anyway? Should I expect a problem since there was one with the state? Really stressed out over this. Thanks for any help.

[macuser_22]

Nobody here can answer how long the state will take - only the state knows that.

Since claiming disabled requires a doctors certification of permanently and totally disabled and can request the letter at any time (and often do)  - it is advised that you obtain such a letter prior to filing.

(Many taxpayers that make a disabled claim file by mail and attach the certification letter to their mailed tax return to head off delays even thought it is not required to do so.)

[Ira]

We’ve never had this happen before so it was confusing and it seems like six months to review a letter is excessive.

Is this the same reason federal is lagging and not going through or are the two not related?

[macuser_22]

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@Ira wrote:
We’ve never had this happen before so it was confusing and it seems like six months to review a letter is excessive.

Is this the same reason federal is lagging and not going through or are the two not related?

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You can only call the state and IRS and ask - no one else would know..

The IRS is totally separate form the state.    Did you check the IRS refund site?

You can check your TurboTax filing status here:
https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp

[Ira]

Yes I worry because it’s been two weeks and they are still reviewing it. I don’t even know who to call to get a human if it gets to the 21 day mark.

[mesquitebean]

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@Ira wrote:
Yes I worry because it’s been two weeks and they are still reviewing it. I don’t even know who to call to get a human if it gets to the 21 day mark.

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Here's how to reach a live agent at the IRS:

800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time)

When calling the IRS do not choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

• First choose your language.  Listen to each menu before making the selection.
• Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
• Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
• Then press 3 "for all other questions."
• Then press 2 "for all other questions."  It may transfer you to an agent at that point, but there is likely to be a long wait.

I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

[mesquitebean]

If you don't get good info/results from the IRS using the steps above, you can contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate for your area.   They are especially prone to help if you have a hardship, or if there have been continued delays with lack of info from the IRS.    At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your IRS Taxpayer Advocate.

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

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

[Ira]

Tried that today this morning and they hung up on me because there were too many people on hold. Told me to call back another day. Granted I’m a week early but they didn’t know that. Thank you for the advice I’ll be doing it again next week when the time line is actually appropriate.

[macuser_22]

If it has only been 2 weeks since you filed Federal then just wait.   What does the refund website say?

The IRS says that they "try" to pay most refunds withing 21 days of filing, but of course that means that some refunds can take much longer. Once your tax return has been accepted by the IRS (or state) TurboTax receives no feedback whatsoever on the status of your refund. Only the IRS (or state) can give you any information after the tax return has been filed.

If the IRS "reviews" your return for any reason (even a random check), you can expect at least a 60 day delay - or longer.

You can check your TurboTax filing status here:
https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp

[Ira]

Turbo says it’s been accepted the IRS to go app has it on the first stage of review for the last two weeks.

[Ira]

I wanted to thank everyone. We are working on the paperwork for state and we shall see when we will actually get that back but the federal moved forward today and they gave us a date to expect the refund. Thank you so much for all the help.