![\"tax](\"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/tax-refund-delay.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSeveral scenarios can cause IRS processing delays. Understanding these reasons can help you navigate what to expect and even how to bypass avoidable issues when you file. Follow along as we answer, \u201cWhy is my tax refund taking so long?\u201d and \u201cHow long does it take to process tax return information?\u201d We\u2019ll share common tax refund delay situations and what to do about it now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long does an IRS refund take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) knows your refund is important to you and pays most refunds within 21 days of filing. But if you\u2019re experiencing a tax refund delay, you may be wondering when you\u2019ll get your income tax refund and why it\u2019s delayed. Lay questions like, \u201cWhy are my taxes taking so long?\u201d or \u201cWhy is my IRS refund late?\u201d to rest by reading on. We\u2019ll share the details so there\u2019s no reason to stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind for future tax filings: The fastest way to get a tax refund is by e-filing and electing to receive your refund via direct deposit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
File with H&R Block to get your max refund<\/h3>\nFile online<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nFile with a tax pro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to check your federal refund status online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re still waiting on your refund check, a good place to start is checking your IRS refund status online. The IRS aims to provide refunds quickly, but don\u2019t rely on getting it by a certain date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you filed with H&R Block, you can check your IRS refund tracker<\/a> status with our \u201dWhere\u2019s my refund<\/a>?\u201d tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll need your Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number<\/a> (ITIN), filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return. While the results will show the status of your refund, it may not show why the refund is delayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe fastest way to get an IRS tax refund status is by e-filing and electing to receive your refund via direct deposit. Read more about checking the status of your tax refund.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat causes an IRS refund delay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Although everyone would like to get their refund quickly, the refund processing system is designed to help prevent improper payments from going out. Most returns can go through the process and refunds can get issued within the expected timeframe of 21 days or less, but complex cases and returns with certain characteristics may take longer.\u00a0 In the next section, we share some common situations that can help answer questions such as, \u201cWhy is my tax refund delayed?\u201d or even \u201cwhy is my refund still processing?”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One note of clarification when your federal refund status may seem<\/em> delayed: If you\u2019ve completed and submitted your return in early to mid-January before the IRS has \u201copened\u201d for the season, the normal 21-day clock hasn\u2019t technically started. When can you file taxes<\/a>? The answer is typically in late January. You can start counting from the date the IRS begins accepting returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 Reasons for an IRS refund delay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The IRS can hold your refund and request more information from you in several situations, causing IRS refund delays. This doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re being audited\u2014but it can lead to further delays if you don\u2019t respond with all the information by the deadline. Be patient, and don\u2019t worry. If your tax return is correct, it\u2019s just a matter of explaining everything (and providing documentation) to the IRS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the most common situations when the IRS can hold (and delay) your individual income tax refund:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. You took certain tax credits this tax year:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Generally, the IRS can\u2019t release refunds with the Earned Income Credit <\/a>(EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC<\/a>) before February 15. Most refunds will be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 1 if you choose direct deposit and there are no other tax return issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe IRS may need additional documentation to verify eligibility for these credits. If the IRS doesn\u2019t think you\u2019re eligible to claim the credits based on its return screening filters, it can delay your refund and ask for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if the IRS challenges your EITC claim, you\u2019ll get Letter CP75<\/a>, which will ask for proof that you qualify for the EITC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. You have IRS debts:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When the IRS issues refunds, it will first reduce (or offsets) your refund if you have certain debts to pay. Here are two common situations when there are debts involved that might cause a tax refund delay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u00b7 You owe federal taxes, and you haven\u2019t paid.<\/h4>\n\n\n\nIf the IRS took your refund to pay federal income taxes<\/a> you owe, you\u2019ll get IRS Notice CP49<\/a>, Overpayment Applied to Taxes Owed<\/em>. If you don\u2019t think you owe what the IRS says, file an amended tax return <\/a>to correct the tax or contest any extra tax the IRS charged you (like a tax bill from a tax audit<\/a> or an underreporting notice<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nTax relief is possible. Learn what to do if you can\u2019t pay your taxes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00b7 You owe other debts, and you haven\u2019t paid.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The\u00a0Treasury Offset Program (TOP)<\/a>\u00a0allows the IRS to take or reduce your refund if you owe other types of debts, including these non-tax debts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Past-due child support
- Other federal agency payments<\/li><\/ul>
- Delinquent state taxes<\/li><\/ul>\n
\n- Unemployment compensation repayments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The IRS can\u2019t answer questions or resolve disputes related to TOP debts. Call TOP at (800) 304-3107 for answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spouse who isn\u2019t responsible for the other spouse\u2019s debts can request their portion of the refund. If you filed jointly with your spouse and the IRS took the full refund to pay for your spouse\u2019s debts, you can get your portion of the refund if it was withheld due to your spouse\u2019s debt. File an injured spouse claim<\/a> using Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. The IRS flags an error:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When you e-file your individual income tax return, the e-file process catches many kinds of return errors and rejects the return at the time of filing. You generally have an opportunity to resubmit the return through e-filing. If you mail your income tax return instead of e-filing it, the IRS will identify errors upon review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IRS calls most of these errors \u201cmath errors,\u201d but they aren\u2019t limited to mathematical mistakes. If your Social Security Number (SSN)<\/a> or your dependents\u2019 information doesn\u2019t match IRS records, the IRS could flag the discrepancy and cause an IRS refund delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen this happens, they have the power to change:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Any related deductions or credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit, or the Child and Dependent Care Credit<\/a>), or<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your return if you forget to include a corresponding schedule or form to support a deduction or credit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If the IRS changes your return, you\u2019ll get a letter (usually IRS notice CP21-A<\/a>) asking you to correct the error within 60 days. If you don\u2019t provide enough explanation and information, the IRS change is final. At that point, you would have to amend your return and follow up with the IRS to get your refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you made an error or need to make changes to the information on your return after you\u2019ve filed, you\u2019ll need to file an amended return. If you e-filed your original return you can e-file the amended one, but if you mailed a paper return you must also mail a paper amended return. Processing amended returns can take the IRS longer, causing a refund delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>4. The IRS suspects identity theft:<\/h3>\n\n\n\nTax identity theft cases have risen in recent years. IRS identity theft<\/a> filters create a tax refund delay until taxpayers verify their identities. If this happens, you\u2019ll usually receive IRS Letter 5071C<\/a> asking you to verify your identity. Until the IRS reinstates its online identity verification process, you can verify your identity with the IRS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>5. You need to file an old return:<\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen the IRS pursues back tax returns<\/a>, the IRS can freeze any due refunds until you file the old return. The only way to fix this issue and get your refund is to file the past-due return<\/a>. If you owe taxes on the old return, the IRS will take that amount out of your current-year refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>6. You\u2019re under audit from a previous year:<\/h3>\n\n\n\nAudits can also cause an IRS processing delay. This is most common when the IRS conducts a mail audit<\/a> on your EITC or ACTC claimed on a return from a prior year. Normally, you\u2019ll receive IRS Letter CP88<\/a> indicating your refund is frozen until the IRS completes the audit. If you respond with the requested information by the deadline, the IRS will generally finish the audit within six months and will release your refund. Learn how to handle an IRS audit.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Handling a tax refund delay: How H&R Block can help<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you get a notice from the IRS about your refund hold, you should immediately investigate the cause. Contact the IRS if necessary, research your IRS account<\/a>, and learn how to handle tax return and account problems<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSound intimidating? H&R Block can be your go-to for tax relief\u2014and can help you handle any IRS notices you receive. Learn more about H&R Block\u2019s Tax Audit & Tax Notice Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to check your federal refund status online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re still waiting on your refund check, a good place to start is checking your IRS refund status online. The IRS aims to provide refunds quickly, but don\u2019t rely on getting it by a certain date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you filed with H&R Block, you can check your IRS refund tracker<\/a> status with our \u201dWhere\u2019s my refund<\/a>?\u201d tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need your Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number<\/a> (ITIN), filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return. While the results will show the status of your refund, it may not show why the refund is delayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fastest way to get an IRS tax refund status is by e-filing and electing to receive your refund via direct deposit. Read more about checking the status of your tax refund.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although everyone would like to get their refund quickly, the refund processing system is designed to help prevent improper payments from going out. Most returns can go through the process and refunds can get issued within the expected timeframe of 21 days or less, but complex cases and returns with certain characteristics may take longer.\u00a0 In the next section, we share some common situations that can help answer questions such as, \u201cWhy is my tax refund delayed?\u201d or even \u201cwhy is my refund still processing?”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One note of clarification when your federal refund status may seem<\/em> delayed: If you\u2019ve completed and submitted your return in early to mid-January before the IRS has \u201copened\u201d for the season, the normal 21-day clock hasn\u2019t technically started. When can you file taxes<\/a>? The answer is typically in late January. You can start counting from the date the IRS begins accepting returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IRS can hold your refund and request more information from you in several situations, causing IRS refund delays. This doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re being audited\u2014but it can lead to further delays if you don\u2019t respond with all the information by the deadline. Be patient, and don\u2019t worry. If your tax return is correct, it\u2019s just a matter of explaining everything (and providing documentation) to the IRS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the most common situations when the IRS can hold (and delay) your individual income tax refund:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, the IRS can\u2019t release refunds with the Earned Income Credit <\/a>(EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC<\/a>) before February 15. Most refunds will be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 1 if you choose direct deposit and there are no other tax return issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IRS may need additional documentation to verify eligibility for these credits. If the IRS doesn\u2019t think you\u2019re eligible to claim the credits based on its return screening filters, it can delay your refund and ask for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if the IRS challenges your EITC claim, you\u2019ll get Letter CP75<\/a>, which will ask for proof that you qualify for the EITC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the IRS issues refunds, it will first reduce (or offsets) your refund if you have certain debts to pay. Here are two common situations when there are debts involved that might cause a tax refund delay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the IRS took your refund to pay federal income taxes<\/a> you owe, you\u2019ll get IRS Notice CP49<\/a>, Overpayment Applied to Taxes Owed<\/em>. If you don\u2019t think you owe what the IRS says, file an amended tax return <\/a>to correct the tax or contest any extra tax the IRS charged you (like a tax bill from a tax audit<\/a> or an underreporting notice<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tax relief is possible. Learn what to do if you can\u2019t pay your taxes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The\u00a0Treasury Offset Program (TOP)<\/a>\u00a0allows the IRS to take or reduce your refund if you owe other types of debts, including these non-tax debts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IRS can\u2019t answer questions or resolve disputes related to TOP debts. Call TOP at (800) 304-3107 for answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spouse who isn\u2019t responsible for the other spouse\u2019s debts can request their portion of the refund. If you filed jointly with your spouse and the IRS took the full refund to pay for your spouse\u2019s debts, you can get your portion of the refund if it was withheld due to your spouse\u2019s debt. File an injured spouse claim<\/a> using Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you e-file your individual income tax return, the e-file process catches many kinds of return errors and rejects the return at the time of filing. You generally have an opportunity to resubmit the return through e-filing. If you mail your income tax return instead of e-filing it, the IRS will identify errors upon review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IRS calls most of these errors \u201cmath errors,\u201d but they aren\u2019t limited to mathematical mistakes. If your Social Security Number (SSN)<\/a> or your dependents\u2019 information doesn\u2019t match IRS records, the IRS could flag the discrepancy and cause an IRS refund delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When this happens, they have the power to change:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the IRS changes your return, you\u2019ll get a letter (usually IRS notice CP21-A<\/a>) asking you to correct the error within 60 days. If you don\u2019t provide enough explanation and information, the IRS change is final. At that point, you would have to amend your return and follow up with the IRS to get your refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you made an error or need to make changes to the information on your return after you\u2019ve filed, you\u2019ll need to file an amended return. If you e-filed your original return you can e-file the amended one, but if you mailed a paper return you must also mail a paper amended return. Processing amended returns can take the IRS longer, causing a refund delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tax identity theft cases have risen in recent years. IRS identity theft<\/a> filters create a tax refund delay until taxpayers verify their identities. If this happens, you\u2019ll usually receive IRS Letter 5071C<\/a> asking you to verify your identity. Until the IRS reinstates its online identity verification process, you can verify your identity with the IRS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the IRS pursues back tax returns<\/a>, the IRS can freeze any due refunds until you file the old return. The only way to fix this issue and get your refund is to file the past-due return<\/a>. If you owe taxes on the old return, the IRS will take that amount out of your current-year refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Audits can also cause an IRS processing delay. This is most common when the IRS conducts a mail audit<\/a> on your EITC or ACTC claimed on a return from a prior year. Normally, you\u2019ll receive IRS Letter CP88<\/a> indicating your refund is frozen until the IRS completes the audit. If you respond with the requested information by the deadline, the IRS will generally finish the audit within six months and will release your refund. Learn how to handle an IRS audit.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you get a notice from the IRS about your refund hold, you should immediately investigate the cause. Contact the IRS if necessary, research your IRS account<\/a>, and learn how to handle tax return and account problems<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sound intimidating? H&R Block can be your go-to for tax relief\u2014and can help you handle any IRS notices you receive. Learn more about H&R Block\u2019s Tax Audit & Tax Notice Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat causes an IRS refund delay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6 Reasons for an IRS refund delay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. You took certain tax credits this tax year:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. You have IRS debts:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u00b7 You owe federal taxes, and you haven\u2019t paid.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 You owe other debts, and you haven\u2019t paid.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
3. The IRS flags an error:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/a>4. The IRS suspects identity theft:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>5. You need to file an old return:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>6. You\u2019re under audit from a previous year:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Handling a tax refund delay: How H&R Block can help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n