Why is my tax return taking so long?

Some returns may require additional review and may take longer. Also, remember to take into consideration the time it takes for a financial institution to post the refund to an account or to receive it by mail. To check the status of a refund, taxpayers should use the Where's My Refund? tool on IRS.gov

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The IRS Mission

The taxpayer's role is to understand and meet his or her tax obligations. The IRS role is to help the large majority of compliant taxpayers with the tax law, while ensuring that the minority who are unwilling to comply pay their fair share.

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The Agency, its Mission and Statutory Authority | Internal Revenue Service

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Why is the IRS taking so long to process my refund?

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.

Why are 2021 refunds taking so long?

The agency is still trying to catch up on a backlog because of the pandemic. “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,” the agency said.

Why is my tax return still being processed?

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.

Why is my tax refund taking longer than expected?

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.

Why is your tax return taking so long?

Are IRS refunds delayed 2020?

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.

How long can the IRS hold your refund for review?

The IRS can go back through three years' worth of returns or review up to six years if they find a serious error.

Why is my refund still being processed after 2 months?

Some of the reasons are: you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and/or an Additional Child Tax Credit (if you claim either of these credits, the PATH Act requires processing to be delayed), you filed Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation), you have a refund offset, the IRS found errors, inconsistencies, or missing ...

Why is my refund still being processed after 30 days?

There a various reasons that can cause delays in receiving your refund. Please take a look at the information below. Your federal refund can take longer than 21 days to process for the following reasons: You claimed an Earned Income Tax Credit and/or an Additional Child Tax Credit and filed before February 15, 2018.

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.

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.

How long does it take for refund to be approved 2021?

When you e-file, it typically takes 24 to 48 hours for the IRS to accept your return. Once your return is accepted, you are on the IRS' refund timetable. The IRS typically issues refunds in less than 21 days.

When can I expect my 2021 tax refund?

Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically.

What does it mean your tax return is still being processed a refund date will be provided when available?

A refund date will be provided when available." Exactly mean? After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.

Where's my refund is not giving me any information?

We cannot provide any information about your refund. You must wait at least 24 hours after you get the acknowledgment e-mail that your tax return was received by the IRS. Your e-filed return was accepted (received) by the IRS less than 24 hours ago. Wait at least 24 hours after acceptance before using WMR.

Why is my 2020 refund taking so long?

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.

What to do if it's been more than 30 days and no refund?

Call the IRS toll-free at (800) 829-1040, any weekday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. In the case that the IRS already sent the payment, you will need to contact the financial institution. If the institution can get the funds, it will return the refund to the IRS. The IRS will then issue your refund as a paper check.

Why is my refund still being processed after 60 days?

Tax returns are opened in the order received. As the return is processed, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud.

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.

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.

Why have I not received my tax refund 2020?

An incomplete return, an inaccurate return, an amended return, tax fraud, claiming tax credits, owing certain debts for which the government can take part or all of your refund, and sending your refund to the wrong bank due to an incorrect routing number are all reasons that a tax refund can be delayed.

Is the IRS still backlogged?

The report, released Thursday by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, found that backlog inventories left over from the 2021 filing season are larger than those in the 2020 filing season.

Is the IRS behind on 2021 tax returns?

IRS reduced the backlog, but still had millions of new 2021 returns to process by year's end. Taxpayers faced refund delays due to an unprecedented volume of returns requiring manual review—most with similar tax credit errors.

What day of the week are tax refunds deposited?

IRS Refund Schedule for Direct Deposits and Check Refunds

They now issue refunds every business day, Monday through Friday (except holidays). Due to changes in the IRS auditing system, they no longer release a full schedule as they did in previous years.

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.