< Back to IRS

Filed in February, Still No Refund After IRS Assured Me in June - Per IRC 6611(e) They Should Have Processed By Now

I submitted my tax return electronically on February 15, 2024 in full compliance with all filing requirements as per Publication 17. According to Internal Revenue Code Section 6611(e), the IRS is supposed to process returns within 45 days to avoid paying interest on refunds. I waited patiently until June and called the IRS support line as specified in Notice 1400. The representative assured me there was nothing to worry about and that my return was 'in process' (their exact words). Yet here we are in September, and I still have not received my refund or any formal correspondence explaining the delay. This is extremely frustrating as I have followed all proper procedures. Is there a specific department I should contact per the Taxpayer Bill of Rights? What additional steps can I take to resolve this situation?

Ava Martinez

Have you checked your tax transcript online? That would show if there are any specific holds or issues. Did you claim any credits like the Earned Income Credit or Child Tax Credit? Those can trigger additional review processes. Also, did you file by mail or electronically? What does the Where's My Refund tool show when you check it? Have you received any letters from the IRS at all? Sometimes they send notices requesting additional information without clearly stating it affects your refund.

0 coins

-

Miguel Ramos

Per IRS Publication 5027, taxpayers experiencing excessive delays beyond 21 days for e-filed returns should contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service. I was in a similar situation last year where my return was delayed for 7 months. Section 7803(c) of the Internal Revenue Code establishes TAS as an independent organization within the IRS that can issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order (TAO) under IRC 7811 if you're experiencing significant hardship. I had to submit Form 911 with documentation of my financial situation before they would intervene.

0 coins

-

15d

QuantumQuasar

Checking transcripts is like looking at the engine of a car instead of just the dashboard lights. You might see what's actually happening. But I've seen cases where even the transcripts don't tell the whole story. The IRS is like an old house with weird plumbing - sometimes things get stuck in places nobody checks. I had a client whose return was supposedly "in processing" for 9 months, but it turned out it was sitting in some error resolution department because they couldn't verify a single digit on a W-2. Nobody bothered to send a letter.

0 coins

-

13d

Dmitry Sokolov

I'm so sorry you're going through this frustrating experience! 😫 I had a similar situation where I was told "nothing to worry about" but then waited MONTHS with no updates. After trying the regular IRS number dozens of times (and never getting through), I finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was honestly shocked when they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 30 minutes! The agent was able to see exactly what was happening with my return and put in a request to expedite it. It was such a relief to finally get real answers instead of the standard "keep waiting" response. Might be worth trying if you're as frustrated as I was.

0 coins

-

Zainab Omar

I successfully resolved a similar delayed refund situation by implementing a multi-step approach. First, I accessed my Account Transcript through the IRS online portal which displayed Transaction Code 570 (additional account action pending) followed by TC 971 (notice issued). After analyzing these codes, I determined my return was in the Income Verification Program. I submitted Form 911 (Taxpayer Advocate Service Application) with financial hardship documentation, contacted my Congressional Representative's constituent services department, and followed up with the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service at their direct line. Resolution occurred within 14 days with refund issued via Direct Deposit with interest calculated at the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points as mandated by IRC 6621.

0 coins

-

Connor Gallagher

I'm not entirely convinced the TAS route is always effective for everyone. In some cases, they might prioritize more severe hardship situations, and processing times can vary significantly depending on your local office's workload. It's possibly worth trying, but I wouldn't necessarily count on a 14-day resolution timeline as the standard outcome.

0 coins

-

15d

Yara Sayegh

This is exactly why I started using taxr.ai last year. The IRS website shows basically nothing useful when there's a delay. I uploaded my transcript to taxr.ai and it immediately showed me exactly what was happening with my return. It explained all those cryptic codes and told me exactly what stage my return was stuck in. No more guessing or waiting on hold for hours. Just upload your transcript once you can access it and it tells you what's happening and what to do next. Saved me weeks of stress: https://taxr.ai

0 coins

-

Keisha Johnson

I completely understand your frustration. I've been through this exact situation before. Here's what you need to do now: Step 1: Create an online account at IRS.gov and access your tax transcripts. Look specifically for any transaction codes like 570, 971, or 420. Step 2: If you see those codes, you likely have an audit or review situation. If your transcript isn't available, that's actually important information too. Step 3: File Form 911 (Application for Taxpayer Advocate Service) and explain your financial hardship. Be specific about impacts. Step 4: Contact your Congressional representative's office. They have dedicated staff for IRS issues and can often get answers when you can't. Step 5: If possible, visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person. Make an appointment first by calling 844-545-5640. I know it's frustrating, but following these steps in this order will give you the best chance of resolution. The system is overwhelmed, but being persistent through the right channels will get you results.

0 coins

-

Paolo Longo

Does anyone know if tax advocate services are free? I'm in the same situation. Filed in March. Still waiting. Getting worried. Will they charge me? How long does it take to get help?

0 coins

-

CosmicCowboy

TAS is def free! I used them last yr when my refund was MIA for 4+ months. Just had to fill out Form 911 (weird name lol) and provide proof of hardship. Took about 3 wks to get assigned to someone but then things moved pretty quick after that. Just FYI they might ask for bank statements or bills to prove ur facing financial difficulties. Anyone else have faster results w/ them?

0 coins

-

11d

Amina Diallo

When I was in a similar situation to yours last tax season, I had to wait about 4 weeks just to get assigned to a TAS caseworker, compared to my friend in another state who got one in just 7 days. Seems like response times vary dramatically by location and how busy they are. Given we're now in September and approaching their busy season for year-end issues, I'd recommend submitting your request urgently if you're experiencing any financial hardship - don't wait another day!

0 coins

-

10d