EITC/ACTC Tax Refund Delayed Until March 3 - Official PATH Act Timeline Update For 2024 (Partial Refund Already Received Through Refund Advance)

I just got a message about my refund being delayed because I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). Here's the exact message I received: "We're reaching out because you might have received incorrect information about when to expect the portion of your tax refund that you didn't already receive through Refund Advance. We're sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused, and want to help ensure you have the correct timeline from the IRS since you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH Act) prevents the IRS from issuing early refunds (before mid-February) on any tax return that claims the EITC and/or ACTC. You can expect to get your refund by March 3 as long as you e-filed, chose to get your refund via direct deposit, and have no issues with your return. By February 22, the IRS's Where's My Refund tool should show an updated status for most early EITC/ACTC filers. For more information on the timeline, including how to track your refund, please see this article from the IRS. When to" The message seems to have cut off at the end, but basically they're apologizing for possibly sending incorrect information earlier about the refund timeline for the portion I didn't receive through Refund Advance. I already got part of my refund through this Refund Advance program, but now they're telling me the rest is going to be delayed. According to this, I won't get my refund until March 3rd, and that's only if I e-filed, chose direct deposit, and don't have any issues with my return. The message mentions that by February 22nd, the IRS's Where's My Refund tool should show an updated status for most early EITC/ACTC filers. Anyone else get this message? I'm starting to get worried since I was counting on this money sooner, and now I have to wait until at least mid-February because of this PATH Act thing. I really needed that money earlier and this delay is stressing me out. Has anyone had experience with these PATH Act delays in previous years? Do they actually deliver by the dates they promise?

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Nathan Dell

This notification provides important timeline details for tax refunds involving EITC and ACTC claims. According to the message, taxpayers can expect their refund by March 3rd, provided they meet three key conditions: e-filing their return, selecting direct deposit, and having no issues with their return. The PATH Act's anti-fraud measures require the IRS to hold refunds for EITC/ACTC claims until mid-February, which explains the delay. A significant update will occur around February 22nd, when the Where's My Refund tool should provide more detailed status information for early filers. The message also acknowledges potential earlier miscommunication about refund timing, specifically regarding the portion not received through Refund Advance. This suggests you may have already received part of your refund through an advance service, with the remainder subject to the PATH Act timeline. These dates aren't arbitrary delays - they're built-in verification periods designed to prevent tax fraud while ensuring eligible taxpayers receive their full refunds. The March 3rd target date aligns with typical processing times once the mid-February hold is lifted.

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