Where’s My Refund? Solved: Navigating Tax Delays

Where’s My Refund? Solved: Navigating Tax Delays

Had it with the waiting game over your tax refund? You’re not alone. And the query “Where’s my refund?” is among the most frequent and infuriating questions asked by taxpayers after they submit their returns. The I.R.S. has a goal of 21 days to get most refunds to taxpayers, but many factors can cause delays. Let’s look at how you can monitor your refund, reasons it may be delayed and what action you can take if the money is slow to arrive.

Tracking Your Federal Refund: The IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” Tool

The fastest and most accurate method for taxpayers to check the status of their refund is to use “Where’s My Refund?” which is available on IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go App. online tool. (The tool refreshes once every 24 hours, generally overnight, so there’s no point in checking back too often.)

To work with the tool, you’ll want to have three things handy:

• Your Social Security Number (SSN) OR Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• The filing status on your return (Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household)
• The amount in full dollars of the refund of the amount shown on your tax return hurts.

Upon providing this information, the tool will return one of the following statuses:

1. Return Received: That indicates the IRS has received your tax return.
2. Refund Approved: Your refund has been approved and the date your refund is expected to be sent will be provided.
3. Refund Sent: The refund has been sent either by direct deposit or by paper check.

Note that the “Where’s My Refund?” tool contains the most current data. Do not try calling the IRS unless the tool tells you to, or if it has been more than 21 days since you filed electronically, or six weeks since you sent your paper return. The phone lines at the I.R.S. are often busy and representatives generally can’t provide information that goes beyond what’s on the online tool.

Understanding Refund Delays: Common Culprits

Although the IRS works to issue refunds quickly, there are several reasons why your refund may be delayed longer than 21 days.

1. Errors on Your Return

Even a minor error can flag your return for manual review. Common mistakes include:

• Incorrect Social Security Numbers: A misspelled name or a transposed digit can hold things up.
• Math Errors: Even simple errors in addition or subtraction on your return may cause you to have to recalculate.
• Incorrect Bank Account Information: If you did choose to have your refund direct deposited into your account, which the I.R.S. encourages instead of a mailed check, but provided a wrong account or routing number, your refund will bounce back to the I.R.S. and be delayed for some time.
• Missing Information: Failing to include required forms or schedules.

2. Identity Theft or Fraud Concerns

The IRS is equipped to identify possible identity theft and fraudulent returns. If your return is flagged for these reasons, it will be carefully reviewed and that takes time. You may get an IRS letter in the mail asking for more information to confirm your identity or to clear up the claim.

3. Claiming Certain Credits

4. Amended Returns

If you filed an amended tax return (Form 1040-X) to correct your original return, it could take longer. Amended returns can take a lot more time to process — up to 16 weeks, and even longer. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool doesn’t follow amended returns — for that, you’ll have to use the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool.

5. Paper-Filed Returns

While it is still available, the paper route does take way longer to process than one done electronically. Human involvement: The IRS has to manually enter the information from paper returns, which slows the process. If you filed by mail, it may take six to eight weeks, or longer, to receive your refund.

6. IRS Backlogs or System Issues

Other times, delays occur because of bottlenecks in the I.R.S.’s own processing, especially during high-filing season or if the agency is struggling with system updates or unexpected crises.

7. Outstanding Debts

What to Do if Your Refund is Delayed

If Wells Fargo is dragging its feet in processing your refund, here’s a step-by-step guide of what you can do:

1. Check “Where’s My Refund?” Regularly:

   You must always do this first. Continue to monitor the tool for updates.

2. Review Your Tax Return:

   Review your return for error Look over your return for any mistakes including your Social Security number, your filing status and the refund amount you expect. Also make sure your bank information is accurate if you chose to receive your payment via direct deposit.

3. Check Your Mail:

   The I.R.S. could also send you a letter asking for more information or explaining why the refund is delayed. Sucks, but reply to any mail from the IRS ASAP. By letting them pass, you will only extend the delay.

4. Wait for the Recommended Period:

   Its frustrating, but patience is everything. Do not contact the IRS unless it has been more than 21 days since you e-filed, six weeks since you paper-filed, or the “Where’s My Refund?” tool directs you to.

5. Contact the IRS (If Necessary):

   If the “Where’s My Refund?” tool instructs you to reach out to them, or if the recommended wait period has come and gone with no news, you can contact the IRS Taxpayer Assistance line. Expect some waiting, possibly long ones. Be sure to have a copy of your tax return hanging around, as the representative will ask for certain info to confirm your identity and information.

6. Consider the Taxpayer Advocate Service:

   If you have taken all the steps previously suggested to try to resolve the matter with the IRS and the delay is causing you to suffer undue hardship, or the delay is putting you in immediate danger of adverse action, you can ask for help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). This is a separate division of the IRS that works with taxpayers who are experiencing problems.

State Tax Refunds

Keep in mind that state tax refunds are separate from federal refunds. Every state does it slightly differently, tracking its own refunds. Many state tax agencies also have an online “Where’s My Refund?” IRS-like device. You will need to visit your state’s department of revenue or taxation website to determine the status of your state tax refund.

Final Thoughts