It’s been months since I filed and I still haven’t recieved my Federal refund

[Sophieb1]

When I checked status on my refund all it tells me is "topic 152". I have no idea what that is. I can't find out what the problem is so I can fix it or get info that may be needed. There is no body to talk to yet I am being billed for tax services that have not been one bit of help. How can I find out what the problem is and how can it be fixed?

[DoninGA]

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@Sophieb1 wrote:

When I checked status on my refund all it tells me is "topic 152". I have no idea what that is. I can't find out what the problem is so I can fix it or get info that may be needed. There is no body to talk to yet I am being billed for tax services that have not been one bit of help. How can I find out what the problem is and how can it be fixed?

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IRS Tax Topic 152 - https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc152

The IRS is taking much longer to process a tax return due to the pandemic.  If there was a problem with your tax return the IRS would have sent you a letter or notice in the mail.

Go to this IRS website for information on the status of the IRS services - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for payment of the TurboTax account fees when the federal tax refund is delayed - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/why-was-my-bank-account-auto-debited-for-tur...

[DanceClass]

I filed my Turbo Tax return on 4/2/2020 via mail.  I still have not received my refund.  Is there anyone I can talk to at the IRS (and what is there phone number).

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry you have to keep waiting.  So please be patient.  The mail is stacking up in trailers at the IRS because of the virus.

I think they just started opening the mail in June that's been stacking up. 

See this IRS page for the latest information

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

Is it showing up at IRS Where's my refund yet?

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/

[lc412]

Same here. Their website currently states: 

Processing Delays for Paper Tax Returns

We continue to process electronic and paper tax returns, issue refunds, and accept payments. We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

I filed in early March 2020 via mail, printing it out because I never received my 2018 return, either. How am I supposed to ever be able to file my taxes online if the IRS never gets back with a return? 

[JotikaT2]

Next time you file your return and want to electronically file, you can try entering $0 in the prior year Adjusted Gross Income line.  This may come into play next year depending upon how long it does take for the IRS to process your 2019 tax return.

[alvindenys92]

I am still receiving notice that you will be billing me . You have been paid and you haven't helped me to get my refund at all

[DoninGA]

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@alvindenys92 wrote:

I am still receiving notice that you will be billing me . You have been paid and you haven't helped me to get my refund at all

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https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/why-was-my-bank-account-auto-debited-for-tur...

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.  Only the taxpayer listed on the tax return can obtain the status of a tax refund or a tax return.

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
If over 21 days since being Accepted by the IRS and the tax refund is still Processing you can call the IRS and speak with an IRS agent concerning your tax refund.
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 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

[bbsjas]

Same here...not sure whats going on.

[StephanyL]

This really worked.... Thank you

[Lviper-75]

I filed my taxes on April 19, and by that Friday (since I filed electronically) The IRS received my Tax return. When I looked at the schedule of when I should receive my return (put for Direct Deposit) I should have received it by May 18 at the latest. Last I checked (6/1/21 at 11am) it is still in the processing phase. 

If the IRS knew that there was going to be a lot of people claiming the new child tax credit and other available credits due to COVID-19, then why in the world didn't they hire more people. I called the office last week and was told they are just now getting around to 2019 filers returns, and that I may not see my return until late July or early August. This is outrageous. I mean we as the American people have to return our paperwork in on time if we don't want to get fines tacked onto our already owed taxes

This is a case of do as I say not as I do.  It's a shame that we can't boycott the IRS like we can other businesses, but hey that is our so called American Government. Land of the Brave yes, but not home of the Free. This country is one of the most expensive countries to live in, because prices keep sky rocketing. Unless you are rich already or win the lottery, there is no way to get ahead if you live in the great USA. 

[xmasbaby0]

@Lviper-75 That CTC increase is not for 2020;  it is for 2021.   Your 2020 return does not have to be amended for it.  More information will be available soon; the details of how it will be implemented have not yet been clarified fully.  There may be monthly payments going out beginning in July 2021, with some of the CTC still left as a refundable credit on your 2021 tax return next year.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/01/1393859...

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021

"........why in the world didn't they hire more people."   Write your Congressmen and ask why in the world the IRS so underfunded and understaffed, and why they are using old, old computers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxes/the-irs-is-behind-in-processing-nearly-7-million-tax-returns-s...

https://abc7.com/irs-refund-tax-delay-returns-status/10435366/

https://money.yahoo.com/irs-employees-say-out-of-ink-printers-are-delaying-tax-returns-171522801.htm...

Called the IRS lately? Agency struggles to hire customer service reps despite pandemic unemployment ...

https://money.yahoo.com/taxpayers-waiting-to-get-last-years-tax-refund-190333088.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/where-is-my-damn-irs-tax-refund-new-answers-emerge-a...

TurboTax gives you an estimated date for receiving your refund based on a 21 day average from your date of acceptance, but it can take longer.  “21 days”  is not a promise from TurboTax or the IRS.   Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic.  The IRS is backlogged —-they are still trying to process millions of 2019 returns; they received millions of e-filed on the day they opened for 2020 returns, and now they are burdened with sending out another round of stimulus checks.   

Some delays are resulting from incorrect amounts that folks entered for stimulus checks they received.   Many people have been confused by the recovery rebate credit and completed it incorrectly.  The IRS may delay your refund while they cross-check to see what you received.  Some refunds are delayed because of the tax law changes that went into effect recently.   If your return has unemployment or the premium tax credit on it, that may be delaying it.

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS has any control.  TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS.

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 34of your 2020 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

To track your state refund:    

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing.

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2724106-my-return-is-accepted-but-still-not-approved-is-there-a-pr...

From this IRS website - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

As of May 15, 2021, we had 300,000 individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of May 15, 2021, we had 16.4 million unprocessed individual returns in the pipeline. Unprocessed returns include those requiring correction to the Recovery Rebate Credit amount or validation of 2019 income used to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This work does not require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund. If, as a result, a correction is made to any RRC, EITC or ACTC claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund status and can review Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

[Fitness1]

Yes if it's possible I like someone to tell me what's going on I had filed my taxes on April 19th it is now June 3rd and I still have not received my refund I need to know what's going on I also filed my 2019 by mail and I have not received that either I like someone to you to call me or let me know what's going on I checked with the IRS I'm not getting no

[VolvoGirl]

Nobody can tell you except the IRS.  The IRS is very behind.  Millions and millions of people are still waiting.  They haven't even finished processing 2019 yet.  

[Joshua1218]

I filed mine online with direct deposit in mid March and still have received nothing, I beginning to think I'm not getting it