Here is my take on the situation:
1. If you just buy the software for submission - TurboTax is really just a tool to fill out the tax form and submit electronically. You type in data and import some data that has a TurboTax link. Once you submit and the IRS accepts - TurboTax is out of the loop - so I don't fault them.
2. If you buy Audit Defense or any extra services - then yes - TurboTax has some responsibility to work with you .
3. In my case - after 3 weeks - return showed Still Processing. I called IRS and my return was selected for Taxpayer Verification through the Protection Program and I had a form 5071C being mailed to me. IRS has increased verification auditing with all the fraudulent returns that are submitted by criminals. This has nothing to do with TurboTax as I know of people getting these forms - when tax form submitted by an CPA - nothing to do with TurboTax. Could be random - but selecting a refund as opposed to applying to next years taxes could maybe trigger as well.
4. Some people here are reporting delays with buying TurboTax audit defense - could be a trigger - just not sure. And some are reporting a delay in stimulus money - likely because their identification verification needs to be completed first . Again - I do not have any experience here.
5. Received Form from IRS and did verification online. Contacted IRS today and the indication is that my refund could be delayed up to 9 weeks but likely less. The situation is - once your return if flagged for identification verification - you return goes in to manual mode at that point and you are removed from electronic processing. Your return is queued for someone to look at it and then release the refund, which could take up to 9 weeks.
6. Net here - this is not a TurboTax issue. The IRS has put in measures to help prevent fraud and there is nothing you can do about it. It is here to help - but causes delays in processing. No one really wants to get tagged but again - no way to know.
7. Just be patient and wait until you hear from IRS after 3 weeks. You can call IRS to get status. You might want to apply refund to next year - again just my take on it.
