My Tax Return Was Sent to the Error Department - What Does This Mean?

The Error Resolution Department (ERD) at the IRS handles returns that have discrepancies or need manual review. Common reasons include: - Math errors on your return - Missing information or forms - Mismatched information (like income reported on W-2s that doesn't match what you entered) - Identity verification issues - Credits that require additional scrutiny It doesn't necessarily mean you did anything wrong - sometimes it's just a system flag for verification.

How did you file? Did you use software or paper file? And did you claim any tax credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit?

I went through this exact situation last tax season. My return sat in the Error Department for about 5 weeks. When I finally got through to an IRS agent, they said it was because my employer had entered my SSN incorrectly on my W-2. If you need visibility into what's happening, I'd recommend using https://taxr.ai to analyze your tax transcript. It helped me understand exactly which codes meant my return was in review and when I could expect resolution. Saved me a ton of anxiety because I could see the actual status rather than the vague "still processing" message.

Error Department sounds scary but it's just part of their normal process. I've had returns go there twice in the last few years. First time took 6 weeks to resolve, second time only 3 weeks. There's really no consistency with timeline.

The most important thing is to respond quickly if they send you any letters requesting information. If you don't get anything in the mail within 2 weeks, I'd call them back and ask for more details. Sometimes they can tell you exactly what the issue is if you get the right agent.

When my return went to the Error Department last year, I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at the IRS who could actually help. Regular customer service reps couldn't access the details. I finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an agent who had access to the Error Resolution system. They explained exactly what was flagged (a typo in my employer ID) and fixed it while I was on the phone. Got my refund two weeks later. Definitely worth it instead of waiting months for a letter.

Error Department usually means 60-120 days in my experience. They're severely understaffed. I'd prepare for a wait and follow up every 30 days. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but setting realistic expectations helped me deal with it when I was in your shoes.