topic 3 more weeks until the 12 week mark, and then it'll be my... in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

How long did your manual review for state take?

sambomomma21 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:00 GMT

My Oregon tax refund is under manual review and I haven't received any letter from them either. how long did yours take?

Writing as a TurboTax employee, we generally don't reply...

GeoffreyG — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:00 GMT

Writing as a TurboTax employee, we generally don't reply to questions such as this, where you are obviously seeking community input from other Oregon income tax filers; and not looking for legal or technical answers to tax and software issues.

However, I feel compelled to weigh in on this particular thread, because I have a relevant professional experience to share with you. As part of my practice as a CPA, I prepare individual and business tax returns for a small private group of income tax filers, in addition to my employment at TurboTax.

With that fact understood, I had reason to prepare and file an Oregon Form 40 (full-year resident) state tax return last season (2015 tax year) with the Oregon Department of Revenue. It was filed in late March, and subsequently "held for manual review" as you indicate in your text. The taxpayer at issue did not receive their state of Oregon tax refund until mid-August, months later that same year.

There were no adjustments made to the tax return by the Oregon Department of Revenue, no questions ever asked of the taxpayer (by letter or otherwise), and no other explanation ever provided, aside from the indication that it went through a manual review process. The Oregon Department of Revenue did pay a small amount of interest (as required by Oregon law) for the delayed refund, in addition to the original refund claimed.

Thus, although it did take nearly 5 months from the time of filing, the taxpayer here did eventually receive their state of Oregon refund, plus interest.

I would invite others to post their personal experiences as well, as I have just this one single case to share.

Hopefully this story will give you one indication of a successful (albeit slow to resolve) outcome, where a manual review of a tax return is performed by the Oregon Department of Revenue.

Thank you.

I have had Oregon manually review my taxes for the past 5...

miss_ld_miller — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:02 GMT

I have had Oregon manually review my taxes for the past 5 years! Including this year. I'm sick of it! It takes forever to get my refund back, 5+ months. 4 out of the 5 there was no explanation provided or information requested. Once they made an adjustment with an explanation I didn't understand and reduced my refund. Each time interest was paid. Even after calling I had no explanation as to why. The answering service for the number provided had no clue what to say. The only thing they can do is submit an inquiry if you have not received any communication AFTER 12 business weeks. 12 business weeks includes only weekdays and is reduced by holidays so its roughly 4+ months.

This year is the first year that my taxes are ever being...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:04 GMT

This year is the first year that my taxes are ever being manually reviewed, and this does not give me hope. Looks like I'm moving out in 5+ months.

I had an amended return with them 2 years ago and it took...

jajonez771 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:04 GMT

I had an amended return with them 2 years ago and it took almost a full year to get my money back (the previous one had me owing). Interest is pennies compared to how long you have to wait. I am not hopeful to get it any time soon this year once I saw a manual processing message. They are short staffed. Im glad I have finally moved and dont have to deal with them anymore after this year.

I haven't gotten mine yet...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:05 GMT

I haven't gotten mine yet...

I filed my Oregon tax return electronically in early Febr...

sdeemar50 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:07 GMT

I filed my Oregon tax return electronically in early February and they are on hold for at least 12 weeks which is April, I am not being audited, it seems to be because I used Turbo Tax. I literally have to call the state to get answers on why it is taking so long.

I called the state to look for answers, and they weren't...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:08 GMT

I called the state to look for answers, and they weren't helpful at all. They said it's basically in a pile, ready to be manually reviewed. I asked if it was like a queue system, and first come first serve type of thing, and the lady had no idea the process it took.

I filed January 29th, and I'm still under manual review, and it feels hopeless, honestly.

Filed Feb 3rd and I am still waiting as well. No mail fro...

striderm4n — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:10 GMT

Filed Feb 3rd and I am still waiting as well. No mail from them no questions. I filed with a different tax program electronically. Filed a scheduled c but otherwise nothing special. Federal return is already in as of Feb 21st. No info as to why I was selected for the Honor of manual return. Question is though why oh why if they cannot process our returns manually for months upon months did they not leave them in the automated process? Perhaps take a smaller bite so they don't choke?

They are borrowing our money without our consent - becaus...

trumbo-a-clay — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:11 GMT

They are borrowing our money without our consent - because they can.

I filed February 17 via TurboTax and claimed a childcare...

indiana_joel — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:14 GMT

I filed February 17 via TurboTax and claimed a childcare deduction. The Feds already deposited my refund. 3 weeks after filing (5 March), I received a letter from the OR revenue service requesting additional documents regarding the childcare deduction. 4 weeks further along (as of today--29 March), I called and spoke with them. They said that they have received all required documents from us and that as soon as they did receive those documents, they placed my file back into the queue. So the clock of them processing my return was restarted once they received those documents. They are manually processing my returns, so who knows when I will see my ~$3500 refund!? According to my friend that works in an accountant's office, for some reason, the State is being more persnickety about the childcare deductions and that every one of their clients that have claimed that deduction have gone through the same thing. I just hope they don't take 4-5 months like some of the other commenters are citing--I'm a full time graduate student AND working parent and rely on those refunds to get to us in a timely manner.

I didn't even claim children...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:15 GMT

I didn't even claim children...

I am single and claimed no special deductions....My retur...

sunny11 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:18 GMT

I am single and claimed no special deductions....My return is marked as being manually reviewed. It is two months, as of today. I will be very disappointed if my return takes 4-5 months. I suggest that we all write letters to our various Oregon Reps, as this really appears to be a poorly managed operation.......

Mine is also being manually processed by the state of Ore...

dxchalo — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:20 GMT

Mine is also being manually processed by the state of Oregon. I did mine early February and I'm still waiting. I really hope it doesn't take 4 to 5 months. The sooner I get this return, the sooner it'll be right back in their hands. I have some old bills to pay and would really enjoy taking that stress off my shoulders.

Oregon is ridiculously sluggish and seems to do move at s...

pengwin1 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:21 GMT

Oregon is ridiculously sluggish and seems to do move at sloth speed with everything, not just tax refunds. Mine, too, was pulled for manual processing for the first time ever. Since it took the state MONTHS to issue every single one of my teaching licenses and god help you if you verbally inquire, I am not holding my breath for this, as I am not attractive at that shade of blue.

This is ridiculous. I just moved from MD and had to file...

jordanjacks — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:23 GMT

This is ridiculous. I just moved from MD and had to file both MD and OR state taxes. I got my MD refund within DAYS of filing....now I am reading i will have to wait MONTHS for my OR return.

Welcome to the club, dude. I filed NY state, and OR, and...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:24 GMT

Welcome to the club, dude. I filed NY state, and OR, and I too got my NY back within a couple weeks. This is the most frustrating thing for me as a new parent.

3 more weeks until the 12 week mark, and then it'll be my...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:26 GMT

3 more weeks until the 12 week mark, and then it'll be my time to demand answers.

Filed February 29. Still under review

kingdavis07 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:28 GMT

Filed February 29. Still under review

My mistake above, I filed January 29

kingdavis07 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:29 GMT

My mistake above, I filed January 29

Had to file IL and OR, February 17th and have received no...

bossjd — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:32 GMT

Had to file IL and OR, February 17th and have received not a peep from either. Federal within 12 days. Simply disgraceful. I'm afraid to contact anyone as they'll single mine out to take longer!!

I just received my refund from the state today, direct de...

indiana_joel — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:34 GMT

I just received my refund from the state today, direct deposit, approximately 6 weeks AFTER they notified me that they were processing my return manually and us faxing them the requested documents. So hopefully everyone else on here dealing with the Oregon refunds will also experience no more than a 6-8 week wait. Good luck to everyone out there.

After all this time, I finally got a letter from the Stat...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:36 GMT

After all this time, I finally got a letter from the State of Oregon requesting additional documentation. I filed NY & OR, and they want my W2(s) & 1099(s), do i only give them the information for the state of OR since I've already received my NY and Fed returns?

I would go ahead and send them both just to be on the saf...

sdeemar50 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:38 GMT

I would go ahead and send them both just to be on the safe side, I finally got the same letter from the State of Oregon and I am sending them COPIES not originals of my W-2's out in the mail today.

I decided to only send my OR state W2 (copy of) because i...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:39 GMT

I decided to only send my OR state W2 (copy of) because i have already received my Federal return, and my NY state return. And it makes sense that they'd only want info on Oregon only. But I'm sure they'll ask for more proof if they want it. I've never had a more frustrating experience with my taxes before.

I get it, but since with the state of OR you have to send...

sdeemar50 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:41 GMT

I get it, but since with the state of OR you have to send them a copy of your Federal I would of just sent them everything, so there is no more delays....

I filed Feb 11 and it's now April 17. Still nothing from...

pengwin1 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:41 GMT

I filed Feb 11 and it's now April 17. Still nothing from Oregon. Unbelievable. Fed refund took less than 2 weeks.

Filed electronically through TurboTax on Jan 28th. They s...

justinlisa2006 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:42 GMT

Filed electronically through TurboTax on Jan 28th. They sent a letter in late March asking for a W2. I immediately drove to Salem and hand delivered the requested W2. I have never been manually reviewed and my refund is only $575 (most of which is the kicker). It was a simple return, single, no child care, no special deductions, no earned income..... It's frustrating because the IRS issued my refund within 10 days of receiving my return. I know it wont be much, but if they don't pay me the interest that will be due to me, I will be taking them to small claims court. This is an unacceptable inconvenience that we shouldn't have to go through.

My return was accepted January 29th, and I still haven’t...

battgirl23 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:42 GMT

My return was accepted January 29th, and I still haven’t received my refund. They finally asked me for copies of my W2s, which I provided, but still nothing.

Same here, mine were accepted on the 29th of January, and...

justusgrizz — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:44 GMT

Same here, mine were accepted on the 29th of January, and I got my Federal and State of NY refund back within what feels like moments compared to how long I've been forced to wait for my State of OR refund. I sent my requested w'2 for additional information back to them 5 week ago and I haven't heard anything. I've called 2+ times, and the information they give is generic and unhelpful.

My return was accepted Feb 3rd, went into manual review....

jacquecaul — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:45 GMT

My return was accepted Feb 3rd, went into manual review. End of April I received a letter stating that they needed my W2s. I sent them in and waited a week before I called to make sure they were received. The lady who answered told me that the mail room is backed up 4-6 weeks, and they wouldn't even be able to give me a progress report until my letter was actually received in the system. After that it goes back through manual review and that takes another 2-4 weeks. It is now the end of May and it still says it's in the manual review stage...who knows if my W2s have even been looked at. The state sure will penalize you if they don't get their money, but they don't have a single issue with keeping ours for no reason.

My return was accepted on March 25, I received a letter s...

wjanderson1958 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:47 GMT

My return was accepted on March 25, I received a letter stating they needed copies of my W2s and 1099's on July 5. The letter says to return the documents attention manual processing/PSU, I Googled this and brought me to this site. I've read through all of the comments and I was wondering if anyone knows why Oregon is processing so many returns manually?

I filed my Oregon return in mid Feb, and in early May got...

redlodgerick — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:50 GMT

I filed my Oregon return in mid Feb, and in early May got a letter stating they needed a copy of my W-2 or 1099 showing my withholding (I filed electronically). I sent them the requested copy. In early June I called asking if they received my mailing (it was due by June 11). The person I talked to said he didn’t know and there was no way for him to check. He also said that when you file electronically they don’t actually “see the W-2/1099” so they accept what you enter unless they ask for verification. Now I don’t know if that is true, but that is what I was told. He also told me that what could have happened was that the person checking the return (at the Oregon Dept of Rev) typed in an incorrect number somewhere which flagged the return causing the letter for withholding verification to be sent out. I asked him if I would have mailed a paper copy in with the attached forms like the “old days” if I would have not had to go through all of this and he said “yes, probably”. One step forward and two steps back I guess. Needless to say, I got my refund back finally today (July 10). Contemplating filing by paper next year, gheeese.

I filed on Feb. 2nd, and I checked today for the 2nd time...

ivhs72 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:52 GMT

I filed on Feb. 2nd, and I checked today for the 2nd time (the first time is said nothing would be processed till after Feb. 15th). Today this is what I see..... "We’re manually processing your return. Manually processed returns take additional time. This doesn’t mean that you’re being audited. If you receive a letter from us requesting additional information, please respond as soon as possible. If it’s been 12 weeks or more since you filed your return and you haven’t received a letter from us, please call (xxx)xxx-xxx or (xxx) xxx-xxxx to speak with a customer service representative."

I filed on Feb. 2nd, and I checked today for the 2nd time...

ivhs72 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:54 GMT

Same as above user ^!

jamieayork1989 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:56 GMT

Same as above user ^!

same as ivhs72 above

eric-dencer — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:11:58 GMT

same as ivhs72 above

Same as above

itsbentime — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:01 GMT

Same as above

Same as above. Happened last year too.

sv1996 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:02 GMT

Same as above. Happened last year too.

sv1996 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:04 GMT

Same as above. Happened last year too.

Same as above

jeff-peck2 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:05 GMT

Same as above

Posting here again. Last year, it took 5 months for my OR...

jordanjacks — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:07 GMT

Posting here again. Last year, it took 5 months for my OR return to be issued to me (with laughable interest added to the total). This year, I am being manually reviewed AGAIN. I'm anticipating my return will hit my account summer 2019....WTF

I called my state rep requesting the elected representati...

eric-dencer — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:07 GMT

I called my state rep requesting the elected representatives look into this

Same as above

sexybck4 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:09 GMT

Same as above

sexybck4 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:12 GMT

Same as above

I'm also under Manual Review - I lived off my 401k - OVER...

cats59tkg — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:13 GMT

I'm also under Manual Review - I lived off my 401k - OVERPAID estimated taxes so they got to use my money for free - and now I still have to wait to get my well-deserved refund back. It was a very simple tax year and it was submitted via a CPA who charged me $350 to do my taxes. So I got screwed and am still getting screwed.

With so many folks going under Manual Review, it seems li...

fbmcardl2 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:15 GMT

With so many folks going under Manual Review, it seems like TurboTax ought to sit down with the Oregon Department of Revenue and work out a procedure to avoid this automatically happening for e-filers, like maybe TT attaching the W-2s and 1099s to the e-filed return so Oregon won't take months to request that info and then months to manually process the requested information after it is supplied.

Just checked the website and the message now says that un...

eric-dencer — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:17 GMT

Just checked the website and the message now says that unless I get a letter I should have my refund in 2 weeks. Not the same 'manual review' message.

Thanks for the update Eric. After seeing your comment I c...

jamieayork1989 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:18 GMT

Thanks for the update Eric. After seeing your comment I checked on mine too and I have the same message.

I also checked my Manual Review notice and the new msg is...

cats59tkg — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:20 GMT

I also checked my Manual Review notice and the new msg is that my return is now being processed. My bank indicated a Pending deposit scheduled for tomorrow, 2/27/19. I had my taxes done by a CPA this year and last year (last year was a very lengthy manual review). I will DEFINITELY use Turbo Tax next year!!!

I got a text last night from my bank that said my refund...

ivhs72 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:22 GMT

I got a text last night from my bank that said my refund was being deposited. I checked today and it's there now.

When did the people who got their state refunds file? Thi...

theresa0105 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:23 GMT

When did the people who got their state refunds file? This is the first year I haven't gotten my state and federal set the same time

I filed on the 9th of February

jamieayork1989 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:24 GMT

I filed on the 9th of February

My taxes were filed on February 6 - I got my Federal tax...

cats59tkg — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:25 GMT

My taxes were filed on February 6 - I got my Federal tax return on 2/13/19 and the State return showed up today, 2/27/19.

I meant Fed and State REFUND...

cats59tkg — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:27 GMT

I meant Fed and State REFUND...

Make no mistake it's not a Turbo Tax problem. I decided...

jodydemeritt — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:29 GMT

Make no mistake it's not a Turbo Tax problem. I decided to file differently this year, because of the manual review. Same issue this year! Something has to be addressed. I'm the cause of my financial issues, I blame no one, but I do pay what I owe, or at the least try to work it out before I'm even due. Nothing from Oregon. And apparently the problem has been going on for years. So my next question is political. How many that didn't receive a tax refund are Democrats and how many are Republicans? Because this answer in today's climate might explain it all.

Jody, I don't think it's political. Here's what Oregon Re...

fbmcardl2 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:30 GMT

Jody, I don't think it's political. Here's what Oregon Revenue Dept told tax professionals in May 2017 in response to questions about manual review, fyi.

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/taxpro/Documents/tax-practitioner-meeting_05-17.pdf">https://www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/taxpro/Documents/tax-practitioner-meeting_05-17.pdf</a>

"Q – What does it mean when my client’s return is in “manual review”.
A – There are many reasons a return may be stopped during processing. Some examples are:
• Withholding unreasonable (amount of withholding doesn’t make sense compared to
reported income)
• Large refund
• Fraudulent return suspect
• Missing information
• Claimed the Working Family Household and Dependent Care credit

Processing criteria is determined at the start of each tax season. Criteria that will stop a return during processing is called an “edit”. If a return hits an edit, processing stops and the system assigns the return to a queue to be manually processed. At this time the “manual review” message will appear on the taxpayer’s account. The “manual review” message means the return is in a queue and does not mean the return is actively being reviewed. During heavy processing, there are tens of thousands of returns in the queue, and they are worked in the order received.

Many returns in “manual review” are able to complete processing automatically once someone evaluates the reason the return was stopped. Other returns require more information, and that’s when we will issue a letter. Because this is a manual process, it takes time, and a return can be in “manual review” for several months before being looked at. It does not mean someone at the department has been reviewing the return for a month.

Q – If we have additional support information, my it be included with the return as a PDF.

A – If the return is being electronically filed, YES! If your software supports attachments, the department can accept them, and we encourage this and it can prevent us from requesting the information later. If the return is being paper filed as a 2-D return, then no. Please only include the required forms. At this time we do not have the capability to process or image supporting documentation for paper-filed returns and this information will be stripped and shredded."

This is the first time I have ever seen the manually revi...

questioning77 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:32 GMT

This is the first time I have ever seen the manually reviewed message for my OR state return, and this is my first time using Turbo-Tax for e-filing (previously was using different software), curious if there is a correlation? I am also now a homeowner, where as I wasn't before. I am also claiming mileage for volunteer work. My state return is larger than usual due to the home ownership. I normally also file earlier, was trying to hold off waiting for tax extenders to possibly pass. These are the only differences from the previous 6 years of returns. Usually I get my state return before I receive my federal return :( This does not sound promising...

Manual reviews are not necessarily associated with Turbo...

cats59tkg — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:32 GMT

Manual reviews are not necessarily associated with Turbo Tax or how easy or complicated your taxes are. I have had my taxes go under manual review for 2017 and 2018. I didn't use Turbo Tax, instead I used a tax preparer. It took several months to get my 2017 taxes released and this year only a couple of weeks. No rhyme or reason, just the way OR is.

Seriously! I get reviewed every single year that I have l...

MH_Odyssey — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:34 GMT

Seriously! I get reviewed every single year that I have lived in Oregon. Never ever had the problem before, I really think they should keep a record of some sort for people they keep reviewing. In 2017 I just randomly got my sent to my bank in October! I thought it was a fluke, but seeing all the comments I guess it’s not. Turbo Tax should add the Oregon “stops” to their check list to help prevent this from happening.

Thought I would post an update to give everyone hope ! Ev...

questioning77 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:12:36 GMT

Thought I would post an update to give everyone hope ! Even though I received the manual review message my state and federal returns are already pending direct deposits ..and I filed on 4/11!

Re: Writing as a TurboTax employee, we generally don't reply...

Sadiechesd — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 03:54:29 GMT

Just weighing in, I filed my return at the end of February, 2019, and called a few times and was also told it had to be manually reviewed. Had not heard a word. But on 6/13, yesterday, my refund showed up in my account with abit of interest. No correspondence or anything. Good luck...

Re: How long did your manual review for state take?

amayahofstetter — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 17:51:47 GMT

I filed mine at the end of January, it's still in processing. They sent me a piece of mail to send in copies of my w-2's and so I did by April 15th. They're still manually processing it. I've called multiple times and to no avail. They don't know what they're doing up in the Oregon Revenue. They tell me all the time, we have no information on how long it will take. Well, I'm getting more and more mad as it is June 26th. Where the hell is my refund?!

Re: How long did your manual review for state take?

illyrianmoon — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:23:20 GMT

This is an old thread, but I just wanted to add (in case anyone else is still waiting) that we haven't received our Oregon refund and it's still listed as "under manual review" as of today (August 5). I submitted additional information (W2s) on May 9, and I haven't heard anything from them since. We did take a child care deduction and we moved from Washington in the middle of the year. Maybe that has something to do with it. I've never experienced this delay in any other state.