Can the IRS Keep Delaying My Refund?

The Internal Revenue Service can delay your refund for weeks or even months. Uncle Sam is well within his rights to release your refund only at a time when he deems it appropriate, and there is very little, if anything, you can do about it. However, if you are aware of the things that typically cause a refund delay, you may be able to prevent it.

Causes

According to the IRS, a taxpayer's refund could be delayed for any number of reasons. Some of the most common causes include sloppy handwriting, transposing Social Security number digits, failing to check the appropriate exemption box or entering the incorrect number of exemptions, failing to use brackets to show negative amounts on income tax returns, incorrectly totaling your income or adjustments, and failing to attach necessary schedules. However, most of these common mistakes are eliminated for taxpayers who e-file because the e-file system validates the return before submitting it to the IRS. This is not to say that an e-filed return cannot be delayed, but if it is, it's usually for other reasons, such as a high volume of returns, a liability on another taxpayer's account (not unusual for divorced spouses who once filed jointly), or an audit.

Considerations

Keep in mind that if you file for bankruptcy or if you owe a non-tax debt, such as child support or delinquent student loans, it is customary for your refund to be delayed. To better understand the guidelines for these situations, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to speak with a representative.

Solutions

If the IRS is delaying your refund, you have little recourse. Sometimes the online and phone automated system will provide you with a refund delay code that you can reference when calling the IRS. If your refund is delayed due to an error on your return, such as an incorrect Social Security number or a missing form, you can usually call the IRS to correct the mistake. However, if the cause for your delay is return volume or some other circumstance beyond your control, then all you can do is sit and wait. The IRS processing timeframes of six-to-eight weeks for mailed returns and 10 days for e-filed returns are only estimates, and the IRS is not required by law to stay within these timeframes.

References

• Internal Revenue Manual: 21.4.1-4
• Internal Revenue Service: Tax Topic 152-Refund Information
• Internal Revenue Service: Tax Topic 303-Checklist of Common Errors When Preparing Your Return