Solar credit and refund delays?

[afleet]

I'm still waiting too.  It's now been 11 weeks.  My return was accepted on Feb 11, and yes, I filed for the solar credit.  Received my state refund within 1 week.  Still shows as "accepted" on IRS "Where's my Refund" but of course, not approved.

The only consolation is that so many others are in the same boat.  Misery loves company I guess.  Like others, I could've used the money a long time ago. :(

[madtaxpayer]

I was mad before, but now I’m irate.

My neighbor, who also did the solar credit, and who also filed a full 5 weeks after I did, just got his refund over the weekend.

Ridiculous that I have now been waiting 11 weeks and that happens.

[Critter-3]

The IRS can take as long as they want to process the return and there is nothing you can do about it but wait patiently. They are processed individually these days so returns sent in at the same time will not necessarily process together or in the order they are received. The IRS states that 9 of 10 returns will process in 21 days or less. However considering that the IRS processes more than 140 million returns which means 14 million will be delayed for more than 21 days. There are no refund charts to refer to anymore so don't plan on your refund being in your account on any certain date then you won't be disappointed or overdrawn.  It is possible that you get a DD date posted by the IRS and then a moment before the refund is released it gets put on hold while the IRS reviews the account which can delay it for months. 

Think of the IRS process as a long pipe line. Some returns will be rejected before being allowed into the pipe and the rest will be accepted. Then once accepted into the pipeline many will process directly through without any delays and some will not.  Some returns will be siphoned off for further review of some kind. The basis of what triggers these reviews is a well guarded secret but some are just picked randomly every year. 

Some reviews are automated and some will require human attention. The processing times will vary but, due to the continued under staffing situation and budget cuts the IRS had been subject to,  they are likely to be much longer again this year.  It has been reported that some of  the delay this year is due to the new anti fraud security screenings that were implemented.

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 a date for Sending will be available on the IRS website.   Turbotax is not able to assist you any longer ... they are out of the loop once your return has been filed successfully. 

See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

Only the IRS controls when and if a tax refund is Approved and Sent.

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.

Then press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.

Then press 4 for all other inquiries.

It should then transfer you to an agent.

Or you can contact your local IRS office.  See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment

Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area.  See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll free number - http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

[kmorg29]

@madtaxpayer 

same boat.

Filed 2/9, accepted 2/10. I called constantly and confirmed that my refund went into ERS, with an error code. The 10 weeks have passed. I have filed a SAMS claim, I filed TAS on 4/9/24 (however that is 30 day wait). I have had my 30 day referral put in, I have contacted the news at this point. I know it is super frustrating. I have had tax accountants look into it...

The only thing I can reiterate--CALL. CALL.CALL. The IRS straight up told me that they do not know there is a problem unless you notify them.

Files a SAMS claim and know that you will be part of the case study on this delay. File for a tax Advocate. Ask what your error code is and do the research. Please be nice when calling--I've had the full spectrum of IRS reps and 90% of them were super helpful. I call every 2 days. gods speed--on hold now and will update should I get any further information.

[lsalvag1]

Nobody here is saying that this is a TurboTax issue. We are well-aware that this is an IRS issue. 

One of the biggest concerns is that so many people were told they would either receive their refund OR correspondence from the IRS within 10 weeks of being accepted. And when that 10 weeks was up, we didn't get a refund or correspondence, so we called back and are now being told 30 more days and that we are still in the errors department (for some unknown reason but we all know it's solar). 

And in my case in particular, the agent I spoke with said that no one even looked at my return while it was in the errors department for 10 weeks. That is COMPLETELY unacceptable. 

One of the ways to keep our solar payments the same or to not have them increase too much was to put the credit toward the solar loan. For those who installed solar early in the year last year, they will not receive their refund in time to do so.

[DoctorWorm706]

100% this. We are all waiting for this refund to put the money toward our solar loans. 

[SpicyTaxPayer]

I was able to actually get through to a person today!  She had to put me on hold a few times while she was trying to find my return.  She said that my return was "randomly selected" for further review, meaning that 11 more weeks were tacked on to process it.  She said that my 11 weeks will be up next week and if I don't get my return next week, call back as there are further steps they can take.  Whatever that means.   I also filed 2/10, so those that filed around the same time or before, look to hopefully receive it next week and call them if you don't.  

[razina_zahur]

I can rewrite the text to make it clearer. "I was just wondering if your neighbor's claim for the credit was a new one or a rollover from previous years?"

[ebtaylor1]

The same thing is happening to me. I’m beyond angry. It’s May 1st and still nothing. Mine was accepted on Feb 2nd. I’ve talked to a hundred different people at the irs, even after the 10 weeks, they do a referral to flag your account so someone working there knows you’ve already waited the 10 weeks and still nothing. I don’t even know what else to do anymore. 

[Jmendez1015]

Yes! I called yesterday and apparently the first referral I called for “never went through “ so they did it again and now I have to wait 60 days!!! 

[Mike9241]

Obviously, the IRS got your return. Be grateful for that. Some taxpayers do not go through all the steps to submit their return then complain about not getting their refund.  Other mail theirs and don't use tracking. From time to time the USPS loses mail and the poor taxpayer never knows it until they check to find out the IRS never got it. Once the IRS gets your return there is nothing Turbotax or anyone else can do to speed up the refund. 

[leapnthamix]

I saw a post on Reddit that some that filed in early February (Feb 2nd to be more specific) got their refund already. Crossing my fingers that IRS is going through returns with solar credits.

[lsalvag1]

@Mike9241 Be grateful the IRS got my return? It’s literally the bare minimum to accept my return. But holding onto my refund that I desperately need (to keep my solar payments affordable) without any good explanation is ridiculous. I filed 2/9. It’s absurd to tell me I need to wait 10 weeks while it’s in the errors department and then after 10 weeks, they told me nobody actually looked at it while it was in the errors department. So now I have at least another month to wait with no answers. So get out of here with your IRS loving self, people need this money and it is rightfully theirs.

[kmorg29]

Here are my notes and updates---Tax transcript is now showing 5/7/24 direct deposit date for taxes sent 2/10/24. My only advice at this point-keep calling. file a TAS and file a sams claim.

Date      Notes

3/26/2024          Confirmed date returned was filed-2/10/24. As of 3/11/24, return is being reviewed

4/2/2024             currently in ERS

4/3/2024             ERS Code 497 - "Complex Systemic Error" - no details provided

4/4/2024             HQ requested Suspense

4/4/2024             2/12/24-placed in ERS. 2/15/24 Code 497 added

4/9/2024             ERS Code 497 - "Complex Systemic Error" - no details provided. Told to call back after 10 weeks.

4/15/2024          Rec'd updated information on code timeline--2/12/24-ERS code 481. 2/15/24 ERS code 497. 4/15/24 ERS code249

4/17/2024          ERS Code 249. referral Requested--IRS review within 30 days

4/22/2024          Referral put in. ERS Code 349

4/24/2024          "original referral was rejected- new referral requested, 30 days from second referral

4/25/2024          Referral processed. ERS Code 349

4/29/2024          Told me my return was rejected, could not provide a definitive timeline

4/29/2024          Case referred to TAS. Provide TAS case worker info and claim

4/29/2024          left message for TAS Rep

5/1/2024             "Cannot give any codes" refused to give any information, rude, refused to provide any information at all

5/1/2024             Moved to TAS-cannot see in "their system" confirmed TAS case was opened 4/18/24

5/2/2024             TAS caseworker returned call--refund is being processed, should have direct deposit 5/7/24. Was concerned that no one could answer status yesterday. Very kind and helpful

Notes--TAS filed 4/9/24              

Called TAS Rep 4/29 & 5/1         

Never any letters or notices on my account     

Tax Transcript was updated 5/1/24--find my refund still showing "delayed" as of 5/2/24           

No reason at all given for delay--after all this time.       

SAMS Claim filed 4/4/24            

[madtaxpayer]

Not a rollover.  My neighbor installed the panels this last year.