Tax Return Refund

2 replies
33 views

Whats the longest time after 21 days filing electronicaly I can expect my refund if I haven't recieved it yet?

Who can I contact and how do I get a real person on the phone to ask why my refund has not arrived?

mesquitebean

Level 15

Only the IRS will know what all they are doing with the return. There's not a "longest time" beyond the 21 days estimate. They work at their own speed. In some cases that have problems, it can even take weeks or longer. We can tell you how to speak to the IRS, but there are some things you need to check first.

The IRS says 9 out of 10 filers who efile and choose direct deposit will get their Federal refunds within 21 days after being accepted. That still leaves a considerable number of filers who do not. Some returns are processed fairly quickly, while others require additional processing due to specific items in the return. Some are pulled at random for more thorough investigation.

Did you efile, or did you choose to print and mail the return? If you filed by mail, it can take about 6 weeks to get a Federal refund.

If you efiled, double-check to be sure the return was efiled successfully and accepted.
If you used Online TurboTax, you can sign into your Online Account and check the efile status at the Tax Home.

If that showed it was accepted, you can use the tool at the IRS website below to monitor the status of your Federal refund.
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

NOTE: When using that tool, use only the Federal refund amount, and not any total refund amount that includes a state refund.
The amount to use is on your Federal Form 1040, Line 21a.

If the IRS tool says it is still being processed, and if it's been longer than 21 days since an efiled return was accepted, in a new comment below I've told you how to speak to a live agent at the IRS to see if they can tell you anything about the delay.

To track a state refund:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/how-do-i-track-my-state-refund/00/25571

mesquitebean

Level 15

As I mentioned above, if the IRS WMR tool shows that your return has been processing longer than 21 days, here's how to speak to a live IRS agent to inquire about the delay:

800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time) Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do not choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

First choose your language. Then listen to each menu before making the selection.
Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
It may then ask for your SSN, but do not enter it. Just wait. If it asks for SSN a second time, still do not enter it.
Then it will get "tired", and you'll get another menu. Choose 2 for "personal" then you should be transferred to an agent, but there's likely to be a long wait.
I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.