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Level 1
October 26, 2022
Question

Delayed return

  • October 26, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 6 views

My return was held, without an explanation. Can someone help?

    3 replies

    Level 15
    October 26, 2022

    Only the IRS knows why your refund is delayed.   TurboTax gets no information after you file your return.  No one at TurboTax even knows your refund is delayed, nor does anyone know why.   We do not know how or when you filed---did you e-file or file by mail?   It is taking the IRS six to nine months to process mailed returns.  And there have been lots of delays even for e-filed returns.   If you had some sort of mistake on your return that would cause a delay in processing.

     

    First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

    https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

     

    Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS has any control.  TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS.

     

    You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 35a of your 2021 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

    https://www.irs.gov/refunds

    To track your state refund:    

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

     

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

    If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing.

    https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2724106-my-return-is-accepted-but-still-not-approved-is-there-a-problem-should-i-be-worried

     

     

    OR——if you filed by mail, expect a long wait.   It is taking the very backlogged IRS six to nine months to process mailed returns.   Until a human opens your envelope and enters the data into the system, nothing will even show up on the refund site, so you will have to be very patient.

     

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
    Level 4
    October 26, 2022

    @Haileywiggins23  I'm sorry to hear that your refund has been held up without explanation.

     

    Allow me to recommend you contact your IRS Taxpayer Advocate to help find out why your refund is on hold.

    Call Taxpayer Advocate Service at  877-777-4778

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
    Level 15
    October 26, 2022

    This will likely involve lots of aggravation and hold times but if you want to call the IRS

     

    To call the IRS:IRS:  800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

    Listen to each menu before making the selection.

    First choose your language. Press 1 for English.

    Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

    Instead, 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 should then transfer you to an agent.

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
    Alumni - Champ
    October 26, 2022

    All you can do now is, wait. It does not matter who sent your 1040 to the IRS. The IRS is the sole destination for tax returns. No one has discovered a way to make the IRS speed up sending out refunds. No one ever will because the IRS is an overwhelmed, over worked, under funded and under staffed government bureaucracy. Eventually you will get the pay off of your no interest loan to the government.

    Have you thought of paying just enough by estimates or withholding to avoid a penalty and let the government wait for your check?