Turbo Tax can't find my refund, IRS gives mixed information

[yangsi]

My 2020 1040 was filed ~2/9/21 on Turbo Tax and accepted by the IRS on 2/12/21, with a refund due me by the IRS. In late April, I received a notice that suggested I needed to file an amended return due to changes in a law that would increase my refund. With help from a TT specialist, I did so, and the amended return was accepted by the IRS on 4/29/21.  In trying to figure out when I will receive my refund, I used the IRS online tool and it told me this:

We cannot provide any information about your refund. Be sure to:

• verify your filing date;
• check with your tax preparer or tax software provider; or
• verify you received your electronically filed acknowledgement e-mail.

If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances.

I then tried to contact TT but could not get past the bot to talk to a live person. The bot only said it couldn't find my refund(!) based on my social security number and zip code.

I have my confirmation emails saying my returns were accepted, but have no idea when I will receive these much needed funds. Can anyone help add clarity to this concerning situation?

[macuser_22]

You should not have amended until you received oiur refund for the original return.  If the IRS changes anything then yiu might have to amend the amended  return.   That can take a year or more.    Amended returns are currently taking 6-8 months to process.

For your original return:

The IRS is running behind due to COVID, CARES Act, stimulus and a huge amount of mailed tax returns being filed this year.

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

Also:https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tax-refund-delay-returns-backlog-growing-irs/

Also: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/04/23/stimulus-check-update-2021-tax-refund-delay-covid-re...

TurboTax only gives the general IRS (most returns are processed within 21 days) date. The actual date is known only by the IRS. TurboTax also does not adjust the general date for anything on the tax return. TurboTax receives no feedback from the IRS after filing.

The IRS says most refunds will be issued within 21 days - some faster, some longer.
(Most means more than half so many take longer - MUCH longer)

Each tax return is evaluated on it's own merits. There is no first-in-first-out. Two similar tax return submitted at the same time can have totally different processing times based on IRS criteria for examining tax returns that the IRS does not divulge.

Some returns will be held for ID verification or other verification. The IRS will send a letter if they require more information to process your tax return.


https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing

Check your refund stratus here:
https://www.irs.gov/refunds

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

[yangsi]

You should have told your co-worker to give me correct information then. I was advised by them (Turbo Tax specialist) to file the amended return. Maybe train your people and make a more user friendly website? I remember going through this back in April - the advice as to whether to file an amended return or not was very ambivalent and unclear.  And not sure if you carefully read my response when you write: "If the IRS changes anything then (you) might have to amend the amended return."  I already stated that the IRS accepted my amended return - are you now saying that they might change something?

[SweetieJean]

@macuser_22 is not a TT or Intuit employee, but a very talented user volunteer (as are many of us here).  But I am flagging your post re the TT employee so that the Moderator passes it on to TT management.