Why is my federal refund taking so long?

Asked by: Ms. Carmen Parker  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (38 votes)

What's Taking So Long? If you don't receive your refund in 21 days, your tax return might need further review. This may happen if your return was incomplete or incorrect. ... You may also experience delays if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Are federal tax refunds taking longer this year?

Although the IRS says most refunds will be sent within 21 days, experts warn that delays are likely, noting that the agency is still working through 2020 tax returns. ... Donald Williamson, an accounting and taxation professor at American University in Washington, said he expects "weeks and weeks" of IRS delays in 2022.

Why are 2021 refunds taking so long?

Just like in 2021, the IRS is again expecting numerous delays in processing tax returns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency recommends filing electronically and setting up direct deposit this year, as it can help get your refund issued within 21 days, assuming there are no errors.

Why is my tax refund still being processed?

He said the IRS is still processing $9.8 million tax returns from 2020. The delays are mostly due to errors in filing, some having to do with the economic stimulus payments. ... “If you don't report the correct amount, again it's going to hold up the tax return processing to who knows when,” McCarron said.

Is there a delay in tax refunds for 2020?

When the Internal Revenue Service announced the opening of tax filing season on Jan. 1, 2022, and is still processing some corrections for people who paid too much in unemployment insurance taxes in 2020. ...

Why is your tax return taking so long?

16 related questions found

How backlogged is the IRS?

The IRS has its own internal watchdog, the National Taxpayer Advocate. In her annual report to Congress this month, the advocate, Erin Collins, said that in 2021, the agency had a backlog of some 35 million returns that required manual processing.

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.

Are tax refunds delayed 2021?

Tax Refund Delays

In 2021, taxpayers who submitted their tax returns early had to wait a little longer than anticipated to receive their tax refund. In fact, the IRS is still processing last year's returns, according to the Treasury Department.

Does still being processed mean audit?

If my refund on the IRS website says still processing does it mean I will be audited? There's absolutely no reason to necessarily think that you're under review or that an audit is pending, so please don't worry. The "processing" message you see is perfectly normal. In fact, the messages and bars on the IRS.

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

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. The IRS is seriously behind in processing 2020 tax returns.

When can I expect my 2021 tax refund?

The IRS does not release a calendar, but continues to issue guidance that most filers should receive their refund within 21 days. They also remind filers that many tax software programs allow you to submit your taxes before the start of tax season.

Has the IRS started issuing refunds 2021?

The start of this year's tax season – which takes place earlier than last year's February 12 opening – signals the IRS is now accepting and processing 2021 tax returns. More than 160 million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be filed, with most before the April 18 tax deadline.

Has IRS started issuing refunds 2022?

IRS will start accepting income tax returns on Jan. 24, 2022. * = IRS may delay start of tax season by a week or so. ** = Returns with EITC or CTC may have refunds delayed until March to verify credits.

Why is Where's My Refund not available?

There are a few reasons why you may be getting the following message at Where's My Refund: 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.

When can I expect my tax refund 2022?

How long will it take to get a refund in 2022? The aforementioned backlog will make it difficult for the IRS to be efficient with their work on 2022 tax refunds, however the treasury is still confident that most Americans should get their refunds within 21 days of filing, although there are some caveats.

How do you know if your taxes are being audited?

In most cases, a Notice of Audit and Examination Scheduled will be issued. This notice is to inform you that you are being audited by the IRS, and will contain details about the particular items on your return that need review. It will also mention the records you are required to produce for review.

How do I know if I'm being audited?

If you are being audited you will get a letter in the mail from the IRS. they do not email or call, ever! Only notify by letter.

Is the IRS currently working?

The IRS is opening mail within normal timeframes and all paper and electronic individual refund returns received prior to April 2021 have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require further review. As of December 31, 2021, we had 6 million unprocessed individual returns.

Is the IRS still backlogged?

"Paper is the IRS's Kryptonite, and the agency is still buried in it." As of late December, the IRS had backlogs of 6 million unprocessed original individual returns (Forms 1040), 2.3 million unprocessed amended individual returns (Forms 1040-X), more than 2 million unprocessed employer's quarterly tax returns (Forms ...

Why would the IRS hold my refund for 60 days?

There are many reasons why the IRS may be holding your refund. You have unfiled or missing tax returns for prior tax years. ... The IRS is reviewing your tax return. Your refund was applied to a debt you owe to the IRS or another federal or state agency.

What is the longest a tax refund can take?

Typically, the IRS issues a refund within 21 days of “accepting” a tax return. If you file electronically, the IRS can take up to three days to accept your return. If you mail in your return, it can take three additional weeks (the IRS has to manually enter your return into the system first).

Why is the IRS so far behind on refunds?

Although the backlog is not too different from last season's, it is a far higher number than the unprocessed returns the I.R.S. ... One big reason for the pileup, according to the report, is that the federal government charged the I.R.S. with administering various stimulus payments and other programs during the pandemic.

Is IRS shut down 2021?

The IRS Will Be Shutting Down Electronic Filing on Nov 20 Until January 2022. This is a standard operating procedure for the IRS as they perform annual maintenance in order to prepare the system for the upcoming Tax Year 2021 Filing Season.

How long does it take to get your federal tax refund?

Most refunds will be issued in less than 21 days. You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you have e-filed your return. Remember, the fastest way to get your refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit.