My federal tax return was accepted six months ago, and my refund has still not been issued. How can I get this resolved?

[dyer111777]

When I look up my status on the 'whereismyrefund' website, it just says it's still in process.

[DoninGA]

It may take the IRS from 6 to 9 months to process the 2021 federal tax return.

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

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

As of August 5, 2022, we had 9.7 million unprocessed individual tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.8 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 7.9 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. This work does not typically 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 and in some cases this work could take more than 120 days. If a correction is made to any Recovery Rebate Credit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We have processed all error free returns received prior to January 2022 and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors. We are continuing to reroute tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. Tax returns are opened and processed in the order received. As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit and the Child Tax Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will. If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues could take 90 to 120 days depending on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.

What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed but you may check Where’s My Refund? or you can view your account. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s My Refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. If you filed before January 2022 and Where’s My Refund? does not have any information, your return has been opened but work on it has not begun. We’re working hard to get through the carryover inventory. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

[NCperson · Accepted solution]

@dyer111777 - There IRS is woefully backlogged.  "accepted" simply means the IRS acknowledges receipt of the tax return; it does not mean they reviwed or approved the return.  did you by chance miss a piece of mail from the IRS seeking information? 

did you try reviewing your transcript to see if anything identifies the reason for the delay?  if you had entries on lines 27a, 28 or 30 of Form 1040, that could cause a delay. 

otherwise, just have patience; they have it and it will get resolved. 

here is what the IRS website states:

How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We have processed all error free returns received prior to January 2022 and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors. We are continuing to reroute tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. Tax returns are opened and processed in the order received. As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit and the Child Tax Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will. If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues could take 90 to 120 days depending on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.

What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed but you may check Where’s My Refund? or you can view your account. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s My Refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. If you filed before January 2022 and Where’s My Refund? does not have any information, your return has been opened but work on it has not begun. We’re working hard to get through the carryover inventory. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

[dyer111777]

Hmmm.  That's super helpful, thanks!  So, I checked my transcript, and I see there's a "570 Additional Account Action Pending" dated the same date that my return was received.  So, that seems like it needs in-person review, which would explain the holdup.  Presumably that means I wait until it gets reviewed, and I either receive my refund or further communication.

I feel like it should be obvious, but if I've missed a piece of correspondence from the IRS, would I find evidence of that under the "Notices and Letters" tab?

Thanks again!

[NCperson]

@dyer111777 - since it was put under review the day it was received, the normal 'cuprits' for that are lines 27a, 28 or 30 of Form 1040 - could be something else, but from what the IRS website states, those line items do creates issues (although 6 months is a long time!).  I would just be patient and check the transcript and WMR tool once a week and see where this leads.  it is frustrating! 

[dyer111777]

Yeah - I have nothing on any of those lines.  The only possible culprits I can think of: we did claim $600 of undocumented charitable donations (which I'd happily jettison if it would resolve things, though I know that isn't exactly how this works) and my income looks weird - I quit my long-time employer in Spring and took a part time W2 job, then I contracted with my ex-employer in July and August, then I quit my part-time job to re-join the ex employer in November.

[NCperson]

@dyer111777 - the contributions wouldn't make a difference.... check that the W-2's you entered match exactly with what the employer submitted..... it's on the transcript - look under W-2s.  only thing I can think of.  if it doesn't resolve itself by December, I'd call the IRS, but in the mean time be patient.  I gotta believe by December, they will have caught up more, meaning the phone lines MAY be easier to get through. 

check the WMR tool and transcript every few weeks and see if anything changes. 

[dyer111777]

Oh hey look at that.  W2s check out, but it seems I *did* report $1 more in interest income than my financial institutions did.  Could that possibly be it?

[NCperson]

@dyer111777 - interest - no - that is not it.  I guess we are back to just being patient..... the IRS will gladly accept you reporting more income! (more tax revenue for them!)