first time using Turbo tax - instead of accountant to file taxes. also first time to have my tax return held up by the IRS for "review". have others had this issue?

[janicerubin]

I have been told by the IRS that they will review my tax return - perhaps for 180 days. This has never happened to me in 57 years of filing taxes. Is this because I used Turbo Tax to file instead on an accountant?

[MonikaK1]

No; the IRS likely placed a 180-day review on your return to verify income accuracy, validate credits (like the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit), or screen for identity theft and fraud. This extended hold period allows time to verify information with employers or third parties, particularly when W-2/1099 details do not match IRS records. If your refund is being held, the IRS generally sends a letter.

See this IRS Taxpayer Advocate webpage for more information and for steps to take if a lengthy refund hold will cause a hardship.

[fanfare]

I  contacted TAS for assistance with a delayed 2024 refund,  but I did not claim financial hardship. As advised by their own agent, I'm eligible for assistance due to excessive delay.

Agent says, expect 30 days for someone to be allocated to your case.

I'll let you know if anything happens before Thanksgiving.

@MonikaK1 

@janicerubin 

[fanfare]

"Is this because I used Turbo Tax to file "

how does your 1040 compare to last year's 1040 ?.

IRS computers will look for large differences and flag it.

@janicerubin 

[fanfare]

"See this IRS Taxpayer Advocate webpage for more information and for steps to take if a lengthy refund hold will cause a hardship."

Based on personal experience, this is not a viable option.

I followed up with Taxpayer Assistance Service today.

I got a Case Number but no Advocate assigned .

Why?

They just admitted to me that they can't help you with delayed refunds where IRS processing has not completed. 

Call again when IRS makes a decision not in your favor.

@MonikaK1 

@janicerubin 

[SteamTrain]

@janicerubin 

But 57 years??

If you are getting Social Security, check line 6b of your form 1040 (or 1040SR), to see what value is in that box.

If line 6b is empty or a zero, but you do have $$ in line 6a, then the delay may be due to an issue a number of SS recipients are experiencing....where line 6b should not be a zero.   Some folks are either skipping or mis-entering an answer to a follow-up question on a page after them main SSA-1099 page.  That Q asks if you are have a SSN, and live in certain foreign countries.  If you answered Yes to that question (i.e. lived in a foreign country )...but actually lived in the USA, then the IRS is probably questioning the blank or zero on line 6b.

Presumably, this may be due to certain US Citizens, living in one of those foreign  countries, that also tax their SS income.