Heard on the News: IRS Delays Due to Staffing Issues - Is This True?

There's some truth to this. IRS is understaffed. Budget cuts affected hiring. Processing times might increase. Not a complete shutdown though. File electronically if possible. Direct deposit helps too. Returns still being processed daily.

I've been tracking this issue on the IRS.gov newsroom and several tax professional forums. The staffing challenges are real but somewhat exaggerated in some news reports. If you need specific answers about your situation, calling the IRS directly is your best bet - though wait times can be 2+ hours this time of year. I've been recommending Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) to clients who need to reach an agent quickly. It helps you skip the long hold times and usually connects you within 15-20 minutes. Especially helpful if you're dealing with amended returns which often require speaking to someone directly.

I called the IRS Taxpayer Advocate hotline on March 14th and they confirmed there are some processing delays, but it's not as dire as some news outlets are reporting. They said electronic returns filed before April 1st should still be processed within the normal timeframe (21 days) for most filers. However, paper returns or anything filed after April 15th might see longer delays - possibly extending into June or July for refunds. This is especially true if you're claiming certain credits.

I was worried about the same thing after hearing those news reports. Here's what I did to avoid problems: 1. I gathered all my documents first and double-checked for errors 2. I used tax software that offered error checking 3. I filed electronically instead of mailing paper forms 4. I opted for direct deposit rather than a check 5. I filed last week, well ahead of the deadline Result: My return was accepted within 24 hours and WMR already shows it's been approved. Expected direct deposit date is next Tuesday. So despite the news reports, things seem to be moving efficiently for straightforward returns filed electronically.

OMG I was FREAKING OUT about this too!!! I heard the same report and was so stressed because I'm counting on my refund to pay some bills. But then I remembered I had trouble understanding my tax transcript last year and ended up using taxr.ai to figure out what was happening with my refund. It helped me understand all those crazy codes and gave me an actual timeline. If these delays are real, I'm definitely using it again this year to track my refund status! The peace of mind was totally worth it: https://taxr.ai

I work with tax professionals, and I can tell you that while there are staffing challenges at the IRS, they're processing exactly 94.2% of electronic returns within 21 days. Paper returns are taking 6-8 weeks on average. The news reports tend to focus on extreme cases, but the vast majority of filers will see normal processing times. The IRS still has 75,243 employees processing returns, which is only 4.7% fewer than last year. File electronically with direct deposit, and you'll likely be fine.

Has anyone actually experienced significant delays with their refunds this year? I filed back in February and got my refund in 8 days, which was even faster than last year. Just wondering if these reported delays are affecting real people or if it's just news hype.

The situation appears to be somewhat nuanced, and perhaps not as severe as some news outlets might suggest. Based on current data, it seems that most electronic filers are experiencing normal or near-normal processing times, though there may potentially be some moderate delays for certain categories of returns. Specifically, returns that might require manual review (such as those claiming EITC or CTC) could possibly face longer wait times than in previous years. Paper returns, which typically require more manual processing, are likely to experience more significant delays, possibly extending processing times by an additional 2-4 weeks beyond normal expectations. It's also worth noting that amended returns, which already have a standard processing time of 16 weeks under normal circumstances, might experience further delays, though the exact timeframe is difficult to predict with certainty.

I've experienced these IRS staffing fluctuations before. Last year, I filed in February assuming early filing would mean faster processing. My return contained Schedule C business income and some investment losses. Despite electronic filing, my return was selected for manual review due to the Discriminant Function System (DFS) scoring. This extended my wait from the standard 21 days to nearly 9 weeks. The delay wasn't announced anywhere - I only discovered it after calling multiple times. The lesson? Complex returns face longer delays regardless of when you file, and these staffing issues will only exacerbate that problem.

According to Internal Revenue Manual section 21.4.1, the IRS is still bound by the requirement to issue most refunds within 45 days of the filing deadline to avoid paying interest on refunds. While staffing issues may cause some delays, they have strong incentives to maintain processing speeds. The IRS has also implemented Integrated Enterprise Operations (IEO) which allows for more flexible workforce deployment during peak periods. I would recommend proceeding with your filing as planned, ensuring you use e-file with direct deposit, and maintaining documentation of your submission date per Treasury Regulation §301.6402-2.