Still waiting for my tax refund 7 weeks after I have filed.

[SamS1]

Could be number of reasons for refund delays, especially this year. Generally it is due to dependent verification, refund offset, or information mismatch. You can get a free transcript of your return to review of any holds or codes. Click here to get your free online transcript.

Did you have unemployment benefits. So to not have to process thousands of amended returns, if you had unemployment benefits the IRS could be holding your return for processing once their systems are updated for the American Rescue Plan Act that excludes the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits if your adjusted gross income is less than $150,000.   

If you have earned income credit and/or additional child tax credit, it is probably delayed. Returns with either of these credits are covered under the PATH act, which gives the IRS authority to delay the refund to verify dependent information on your return. For 2020, the IRS was not issuing refunds for these returns until the 1st week of March. 

Do you have any refund offsets such as back taxes, student loans, child support, state obligations (Court costs), etc. This could delay your refund and you will receive a letter indicating the change.

If you answered the stimulus questions incorrectly, this will delay your refund. If you claimed the Recovery Rebate credit on your return, the IRS is matching stimulus payments to returns with the Recovery Rebate credit. If there is a mismatch, you will be receiving a letter.

Keep checking IRS.gov "Where's my Refund" for the most up to date information.

Check here also for more information on refund delays.

[riverclark67]

Yes, same here. I've called the IRS. My tax preparer called too. They can't give a good reason why it's so delayed. My tax preparer thinks its because we claimed the second stimulus as a tax credit/rebate. He did everything correctly. He has no other explanation. IRS saId it could take an additional 3 to 4 weeks more! This is causing a real financial hardship on us. While others are getting a 3rd stimulus and there's talk of a fourth, we can't get our tax return and second stimulus we desperately need! I guess I'm venting. It's so frustrating and nothing to do but wait. 

[riverclark67]

Curious as to why IRS doesn't hire more staff. 

[xmasbaby0]

@riverclark67  Write to Congress about that and ask why they have not funded the IRS in order to do that, and you could also ask why they have not provided enough funding for the IRS to update its VERY old computers.

[Jwal]

I'm having same issue. It was accepted on March 16th and I still dont have it. The tracking link just says it's still processing.  I'm so frustrated as I'm still not working and need my refund. I think it will be higher than planned due to the new laws signed in March, but I would be fine with the amount original figured than the larger amount. 

[Kenng5]

just an update. 11.5 weeks and nothing. This Saturday 5/08/21 will be 12 weeks. mine was accepted 2/13/21.

[CatinaT1]

According to this IRS update as of April 30th:    

The IRS is now opening mail within normal timeframes. The IRS has also made significant progress in processing prior year returns. As of April 23, 2021, we had 1.3 million individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of April 23, 2021, we had 16.9 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.  

How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We are processing returns received over the summer and fall in 2020 due to the extended July 15, 2020 tax filing due date. While the majority of 2019 refund returns have been processed, in some cases, we are processing tax returns that were mailed with a payment even though payment associated with these returns have been processed by the IRS. However, we are rerouting 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 in the order received. As the return is processed, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate 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 depends 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: 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. We’re working hard to get through the backlog. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.  

[raquelboch]

Did you ever hear anything from the IRS? I filed my return 7 weeks ago and it was accepted but I still haven’t heard anything from the IRS. On the IRS website it still says they are processing my return. 

[xmasbaby0]

@raquelboch  Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the IRS is so severely backlogged that the seven weeks you mention is not long compared to the wait many others are experiencing.    Millions of people have been waiting for their refunds.

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.

[renahamp2k]

I'm frustrated right along with you!  We filed our taxes through TurboTax on 12 May.  Here we are, 3 MONTHS later, and still says "Your tax return is still being processed."  And don't even try to call.  It just tells you no one is available to speak to you and to try again the next business day.  

[raquelboch]

Sorry to hear you’ve been waiting so long. It is frustrating. I filed my tax return on May 5th and I finally got my return on August 4th. On the Monday (8/2) before I receive my tax return, where’s my refund updated and said my tax return was accepted and would be deposited on August 4th. I hope this info helps you. I was paid interest on my return, so that was nice at least.

[renahamp2k]

That gives me great hope, so thank you for sharing that!  You filed a week before me, so maybe I'll get an update in the next week or so.  Shocking the government would actually pay interest!  I appreciate the reply.  Stay safe, and enjoy your day 🙂

[ss243]

I filed my 2020 tax return in June 2020, I still do not have my refund.  how do I check the status of my refund from 2020, the IRS web site apparently is only helpful for any 2021 refunds

[ChondelLO]

@ss243 To check the status of your 2020 tax return, please visit the Help Article below for IRS contact information. 

How do I contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? - Intuit