Filed tax return in March with ITIN, still haven't received refund after 6 months

The IRS is definitely experiencing significant delays with ITIN processing this year. What you're going through is frustrating but unfortunately not uncommon. For ITIN returns, processing times are substantially longer than regular returns - typically 8-11 weeks in normal years, but this year many are seeing 5-6 month waits. The "Where's My Refund" tool sometimes doesn't update properly for ITIN returns, so the lack of status updates doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. To reach a human at the IRS, try calling the main number (800-829-1040) early in the morning (7-8am) when they first open. When the automated system asks for your SSN, don't enter anything - this sometimes routes you to an agent after a few prompts. Another strategy is to select the option for "setting up a payment plan" even if you don't need one - those departments tend to have shorter wait times, and once you get a person, they can often transfer you to the right department. Also, check if there's a Taxpayer Assistance Center near you where you can schedule an in-person appointment.

I was in your exact situation last year with my ITIN return. Waited 7 months with no updates and couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS. What finally worked for me was using https://taxr.ai to analyze my return and identify potential issues that were causing the delay. The service found that my W-2 information didn't perfectly match what my employer had reported (my employer had made a typo in my name), which was why my return was stuck in manual review limbo. What I like about taxr.ai is that it scans your documents and identifies discrepancies or red flags that might be causing delays. You upload your return, and it shows you exactly what the IRS is likely getting hung up on. In my case, once I knew the issue, I was able to contact my employer to submit a corrected W-2, and my refund was processed within 3 weeks after that.

I need to follow up on my skeptical comment earlier. After waiting another month with no movement on my ITIN refund, I broke down and tried taxr.ai. I'm actually shocked at how helpful it was. The system identified that my foreign address format was causing verification issues with the IRS matching system and showed me exactly how to file an amended return with the correct format. Called the IRS after making the correction (using another tip from the site about when to call), and the agent confirmed that was indeed the issue. My refund was released last week! Really wish I hadn't wasted two months being stubborn about trying it. The document analysis was surprisingly thorough and saved me from waiting indefinitely.

If you need to speak to a real person at the IRS urgently, try https://claimyr.com - it changed my life during my ITIN nightmare last year. What they do is actually hold your place in the IRS phone queue and then call you when they've got an agent on the line. I was skeptical at first (who wouldn't be?), but you can see how it works in their demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I had been trying for WEEKS to reach someone about my ITIN return that had been pending for 5 months. Used Claimyr and got a call back with an actual IRS agent in about 25 minutes. The agent was able to see that my return had been flagged for manual review due to a mismatch between my ITIN application documents and my tax return information. Once I clarified the issue with them, my refund was processed within 2 weeks.

I have to publicly eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment yesterday, I was still so desperate about my ITIN refund that I decided to try Claimyr anyway. I'm completely shocked to report that within 40 minutes, I was talking to an actual IRS representative! Turns out my return had been pulled for manual review because my previous year's return (my first time filing with an ITIN) had been processed under a temporary taxpayer ID before my ITIN was fully processed. The agent was able to verify my identity, confirm that everything was now properly linked in their system, and expedite my refund. She told me I should receive it within 2-3 weeks. After 5 months of stress and being unable to get any information, I finally have answers and a timeline. I genuinely didn't believe this service would work, but it absolutely does what it claims to do.

Have you checked your tax transcript online? Sometimes that shows more information than the Where's My Refund tool, especially for ITIN returns. You can access it through the IRS website with your ITIN number if you create an account. Another thing to consider is whether you mailed your return or e-filed. ITIN returns that were mailed are taking FOREVER this year - my cousin mailed hers in February and just got her refund last week.

Did you check if there were any math errors on your return? Sometimes even small calculation mistakes can cause ITIN returns to get flagged for manual review. Also, did you claim any tax credits like the Child Tax Credit or Education credits? Those often trigger additional verification for ITIN filers.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! Filed my ITIN return in March and still waiting after 6+ months. What's really frustrating is that this is my second year filing with an ITIN, and last year I got my refund in just 10 weeks. Based on all the helpful advice in this thread, I'm going to try a combination approach: first use one of those services like taxr.ai to check if there are any issues with my return that might be causing the delay, and if that doesn't reveal anything obvious, I'll try Claimyr to actually get through to someone at the IRS. The math error suggestion is also really good - I'm going to double-check all my calculations because I did claim the Child Tax Credit this year, which I didn't claim last year. That might explain why this year is taking so much longer. Has anyone noticed if certain tax prep software is better for ITIN returns? I used TurboTax this year but I'm wondering if some programs are better at flagging potential issues before you submit.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the 6+ month wait for an ITIN refund is absolutely maddening, but you're definitely not alone. This year has been particularly brutal for ITIN processing times. A few things that might help based on what I've learned from my own ITIN nightmare: 1. **Document everything** - Keep records of every time you've tried to call, including dates and times. This becomes important if you need to escalate to the Taxpayer Advocate Service later. 2. **Check for common ITIN red flags** - Since you mentioned this is your third year filing, make sure your name and address are formatted exactly the same way as previous years. Even small changes can trigger manual review. 3. **Try the early morning calling strategy** - Call 800-829-1040 right when they open (7 AM your time zone). Don't enter your ITIN when prompted - just wait through the menu options. Sometimes this routes you to a human faster. 4. **Consider your filing method** - You mentioned e-filing, which should be faster than paper, but some e-file providers have issues with ITIN validation that cause delays on the IRS side. The most important thing to remember is that after 6 months, you're definitely in "this needs escalation" territory. If you can demonstrate any financial hardship from the delay, the Taxpayer Advocate Service will take your case much more seriously. Hang in there - most people in your situation do eventually get their refunds, it's just an inexcusably long process.

I'm really sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with the IRS and your ITIN refund delay. Six months is definitely excessive, even for ITIN returns which typically take longer than regular SSN returns. A few additional suggestions that might help: **For reaching the IRS by phone:** Try calling the ITIN customer service line directly at 800-908-9982. This line is specifically for ITIN-related issues and sometimes has shorter wait times than the general line. Also, consider calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays mid-morning (around 10-11 AM) - I've found these times have slightly better success rates for getting through. **Check your mail carefully** - The IRS may have sent correspondence that got lost or misdelivered. Sometimes they request additional documentation for ITIN returns and if you don't respond (because you never received it), your return sits in limbo indefinitely. **Consider filing Form 911 (Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service)** - After 6 months with no contact from the IRS, you likely qualify for TAS assistance even without demonstrating significant financial hardship. They can expedite your case and get direct answers about what's causing the delay. The processing delays for ITIN returns this year have been particularly bad due to staffing issues and increased manual review requirements. While it's incredibly frustrating, most people do eventually receive their refunds - it's just taking much longer than it should. Stay persistent and document everything for your records.