When you phone the IRS customer service line, if you reach an AI triage robot, don't mention the word "refund," or you may get an automated reply. Try using "account" as a key word. For instance, say something like "speak to an agent about my account." If it then asks you something else, say the same thing again, etc. Finally, it may get tired and transfer you to an agent.
If you are unable to get good assistance from the IRS, we can tell you how to contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, who are more likely to help you if you are having an economic hardship.
"About ready to give up on ever receiving it. "
No, you shouldn't give up. If you are due a refund, you should get it eventually. It once took me until January (10 months) to get one, and for some people it takes longer than that. But you do need to talk to the IRS to ask them what the issue is. When I phoned them, the agent spent a lot of time looking at various things and once she spotted a possible holdup, was able to do something to help tweak it. They are usually friendly and helpful, but it does sometimes take considerable effort to reach one. As a last resort, when direct talk with IRS agent and Taxpayer Advocate Service failed to move things forward, some folks have had to seek assistance from their fed Congressman's local district office.
