What is the longest the IRS can hold your refund?

After 60 days, you'd need to file an amended return to reverse any errors and get your refund back. If the IRS thinks you claimed erroneous deductions or credits, the IRS can hold your refund.
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What is the longest a tax refund can take?

COVID-19 Processing Delays

It's taking us longer than normal to process mailed correspondence and more than 21 days to issue refunds for certain mailed and e-filed 2020 tax returns that require review. Thank you for your patience. The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
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How long is the IRS legally allowed to hold your refund?

How Long Do I Have to Claim a Tax Refund? You have three years from the date of the original deadline for your tax return to claim any refund you are entitled to. 1 Most years, tax returns are due by April 15. That means you would have until April 15 three years later to file a return and claim your refund.
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Why is the IRS holding my refund so long?

Things that can delay a refund:

The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit, additional child tax credit, or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse AllocationPDF. The time it takes a taxpayer's bank or credit union to post the refund to the taxpayer's account.
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Why is my refund still processing?

If you're still waiting on your tax refund, it's possible that your tax return is taking longer for the IRS to process because it requires additional review. There are several reasons why your tax return may be delayed: Errors such as an incomplete filing status. Missing information.
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Reasons For The IRS To Hold Your Refund! || Why Your Refund Could Be Delayed?



Are refunds taking longer this year?

The IRS said it's taking longer to process tax returns for the 2020 tax year, and up to a month longer to process amended returns. "It's taking us more than 20 weeks (instead of up to 16 weeks) to process amended returns," the agency said on its site. "Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS," the agency said.
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Can I sue the IRS for holding my refund?

No, you can't sue the IRS for failing to promptly refund an overpayment of tax.
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Why would the IRS hold my refund for 60 days?

Why the delay? While the delay could be simply due to IRS processing backlogs, the more likely reason is that your return got flagged for additional processing due to missing or incorrect information the IRS systems cannot automatically reconcile.
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What is the IRS 3 year rule?

Claim a Refund

If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within 3 years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.
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Why am I still waiting for my refund 2020?

Over the last two years, the underfunded and understaffed IRS was swamped with new responsibilities. The result was a backlog of tax returns, with millions of Americans still waiting for their 2020 refunds. As they prepare 2021 taxes, they're still feeling the impact of waiting almost a year for a much-need check.
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Why is the IRS holding my refund 2020?

The IRS can hold your current-year refund if it thinks you made an error on your current-year return, or if the IRS is auditing you or finds a discrepancy on a filed return from the past. If the IRS thinks you made an error on your return, the IRS can change your refund.
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Why is my refund delayed 2021?

Your refund may be delayed if you made math errors or if you forgot to sign your return or include your Social Security number. It may also be delayed if your dependents' information doesn't match IRS records, or if you left out a corresponding schedule or form to support a deduction or credit, says Pickering.
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What do I do if I never got my tax refund?

Undelivered Federal Tax Refund Checks

If you were expecting a federal tax refund and did not receive it, check the IRS' Where's My Refund page. You'll need to enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. You may be prompted to change your address online.
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What is the IRS 6 year rule?

The six-year rule allows for payment of living expenses that exceed the CFS, and allows for other expenses, such as minimum payments on student loans or credit cards, as long as the tax liability, including penalty and interest, can be full paid in six years.
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How long does the IRS have to audit?

How far back can the IRS go to audit my return? Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years. We usually don't go back more than the last six years.
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Is a 60 day review an audit?

No, this isn't an audit - this is a notice. A notice (or letter) is considered much less serious than an audit - and in many cases is designed to protect the taxpayer.
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Why would the IRS be reviewing my refund?

The most common reason for the IRS to review a tax return is something called the Discriminant Function System (or DIF) score. The IRS uses a computerized scoring model that evaluates your return and gives it a score based on the likelihood that it will need to be changed.
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How behind is the IRS?

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS has fallen nearly a year behind in processing paper tax returns. As of March 18, 2022, the paper return backlog stood at nearly 15 million. Most taxpayers receive refunds, so return processing delays generally mean refund delays.
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What does it mean when it says your tax return is still being processed 2021?

If your tax return status is "Still Being Processed" your tax return could be essentially on hold until the IRS corrects any issues and/or gets the additional information from you to continue processing your return.
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What happens if your tax return takes longer than 21 days?

The IRS is taking more than 21 days (and up to 90 to 120 days) to issue refunds for tax returns with the Recovery Rebate Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. You should only contact the IRS if: It's been 21 days or more since you e-filed.
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What does it mean when the IRS says your tax return has been received and is being processed?

This means the IRS has your tax return and is processing it. Your personalized refund date will be available as soon as the IRS finishes processing your return and confirms that your refund has been approved. Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days.
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Why has my refund been accepted but not approved?

First, they look for things like back taxes and unpaid child support. If they find any debts, they'll offset (reduce) your refund to cover the outstanding amount. Once they are satisfied that you have no outstanding debts, they will approve and then issue your refund.
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Why does it say your tax return is still being processed a refund date will be provided when available?

'Return being processed' means the IRS got your tax return — but your refund could still be delayed, says CPA. Typically, the IRS issues refunds in three weeks or 21 calendar days.
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Why did the IRS take 1400 from my refund?

The IRS took 1400 away from you because the IRS says they already sent you the 1400 separately last year. If you didn't get a deposit for it you have to get the IRS to put a Trace for the missing amount. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-about-the-third-economic-impact-payment-topic-j-p...
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