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IRS taking forever to process $4k deduction from $21k refund - any advice?

Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with the IRS. I sent them a letter agreeing to let them take $4000 out of my $21000 refund, but I haven't heard back from them yet. It's been a while and I'm getting worried. I've checked my tax transcript but there's no updates or new transaction codes. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of situation? How long does it usually take for them to process this kind of thing? I'm starting to wonder if I should call them or just keep waiting.

Tom Maxon

I found a way to solve IRS refund delay issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olpwzuz9VyQ

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Andre Lefebvre

Ugh, dealing with the IRS is always a nightmare. I had a similar situation last year and it took them like 3 months to even acknowledge my letter. Have you tried calling them? Sometimes that's the only way to get any real info.

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Carmen Ruiz

3 months?! That's crazy. I guess I'll have to be patient then. I haven't called yet, but maybe I should. Did you get any useful info when you called?

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6M

Andre Lefebvre

Honestly, it was hit or miss. First time I called, the person had no clue. Second time, I got someone who actually helped. Just be prepared to wait on hold for ages šŸ™„

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6M

Zoe Alexopoulos

Pro tip: call right when they open. The wait times are usually shorter and you might get someone who isn't burnt out from a full day of calls yet.

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6M

Jamal Anderson

Have you considered using the Taxpayer Advocate Service? They can sometimes help push things along when you're stuck in IRS limbo.

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Mei Wong

I found a way to actually get someone on the phone without waiting forever. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Jc9x-gysK0

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QuantumQuasar

Sounds too good to be true. Does it really work? How long did you have to wait?

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6M

Mei Wong

It worked for me! I got a call back in about 2 hours. Way better than sitting on hold all day.

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5M

Liam McGuire

Idk man, paying to talk to the IRS? That's some dystopian stuff right there šŸ¤”

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Mei Wong

LOL I get it, but when you've been trying to reach them for weeks, $20 starts to look pretty good šŸ˜…

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Amara Eze

Here's what you need to know about dealing with the IRS in these situations: ā€¢ Be patient: The IRS is notoriously slow, especially with manual processes like reviewing letters. ā€¢ Keep records: Make copies of everything you send them and note down dates of all communications. ā€¢ Use certified mail: When sending important documents, always use certified mail with return receipt. ā€¢ Check your transcript regularly: Sometimes updates appear there before you get official communication. ā€¢ Consider professional help: If things drag on too long, a tax professional or the Taxpayer Advocate Service can often help move things along. ā€¢ Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. It can be helpful if you need to escalate your case. ā€¢ Follow up: If you don't hear back within 6-8 weeks, it's reasonable to follow up with a call or another letter. Remember, persistence (and patience) is key when dealing with the IRS. Good luck!

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Carmen Ruiz

Wow, thanks for all the detailed info! I'll definitely keep all of this in mind. I guess I need to work on my patience šŸ˜…

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Giovanni Greco

This is gold šŸ’Æ Saving this for future reference!

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Fatima Al-Farsi

have u tried faxing them? sometimes that gets a faster response than snail mail

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Carmen Ruiz

Faxing? What year is it, 1995? šŸ˜‚ But seriously, do they still accept faxes?

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Fatima Al-Farsi

lmao i know right? but yeah, they do. government agencies are stuck in the stone age šŸ¦•

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Dylan Wright

Just went thru this. Took about 2 months for them to process my letter and adjust my refund. Hang in there!

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Sofia Torres

Why did you agree to let them take $4k? Did you owe back taxes or something? Make sure you're not getting scammed!

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Carmen Ruiz

No scam, just a mess up on my part from a few years back. They actually wanted more but I negotiated it down to 4k.

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Sofia Torres

Ah gotcha. Good job negotiating it down! šŸ‘

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GalacticGuardian

The IRS is so behind on everything, it's ridiculous. I filed my taxes 4 months ago and still haven't gotten my refund. The whole system needs an overhaul.

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Dmitry Smirnov

Preach! šŸ™Œ It's like they're using computers from the 80s or something

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Ava Rodriguez

You think that's bad? I've been waiting for over a year for them to process an amended return. It's a joke.

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Miguel Diaz

Have you checked the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website? Sometimes that has info that isn't on the transcript.

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Carmen Ruiz

Yeah, I check it like every day šŸ˜… Still says processing...

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5M