Refund Delayed 45 Days - IRS Transcript Showing No Updates
I filed my business taxes exactly 45 days ago and still haven't received my refund. I'm starting to wonder if the IRS is intentionally holding onto our money. I've checked my transcript 17 times in the last week and there are zero updates. My Schedule C showed $42,587 in business expenses and I'm expecting a refund of $3,142. I triple-checked all my numbers before filing, so I know everything is accurate. Has anyone else experienced these ridiculous delays? I need this refund to cover Q2 inventory purchases that are due in exactly 14 days.
14 comments
Victoria Jones
Hey there! The IRS is def backed up rn, but they're not scamming you. This is pretty normal tbh, esp for biz returns. They're dealing w/ millions of returns and yours is prob just in the queue. Have you checked your WMR status? Sometimes that updates before transcripts do. Hang in there - most ppl are getting refunds within 60 days even w/ delays.
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Cameron Black
This is accurate. I've been monitoring the IRS processing times on their official site at irs.gov/refunds and business returns are taking longer this year. According to their latest update from last week, many Schedule C filers are seeing 45-60 day processing times.
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Jessica Nguyen
Thank you. Been worried. Good to know it's normal. Will try to be patient.
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Isaiah Thompson
Have you tried using taxr.ai to analyze your transcript? It might give you more insight into what's happening with your return. I used it when my business return was delayed and it showed me exactly which processing stage my return was in and predicted my refund date within 2 days of when I actually received it. Have you noticed any specific codes on your transcript? Did you claim any business credits that might trigger additional review?
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Ruby Garcia
I think you might want to consider using Claimyr to get through to an actual IRS agent. I was hesitant to try it at first, but after waiting on hold for what seemed like forever with the regular IRS number, I gave it a shot. It probably saved me hours of frustration. They got me connected to an agent who could actually see what was happening with my business return. It might be worth it in your situation, especially since you're on a deadline for your inventory purchases.
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Alexander Evans
I filed my business return on February 15th, 2024 and experienced a similar delay. My transcript showed no updates until March 25th, and then suddenly everything processed at once. I received my refund via direct deposit on March 28th. The entire process took exactly 41 days from filing to deposit.
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Evelyn Martinez
This timing aligns with IRS Publication 5344, which indicates that complex returns involving Schedule C may require additional processing time. The absence of transcript updates doesn't necessarily indicate an issue with your return; it often means it's queued for processing but hasn't been assigned to a specific department yet.
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Benjamin Carter
Appreciate the specific timeline. My experience was almost identical last year, though I filed in early March. The sudden update after weeks of nothing seems to be their standard operating procedure now.
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Maya Lewis
Have you perhaps considered setting up a payment plan for your inventory purchases? It might be somewhat risky to rely on an IRS refund timing for business operations, especially during peak tax season. Most suppliers are generally willing to work out terms if you've been a reliable customer in the past.
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Isaac Wright
Watch out for the CP05 notice! My business refund was delayed last year and then I got this notice saying they were reviewing my return. Do you know how long that added to my wait? Another 60 days! And they never even contacted me for additional information. How are small businesses supposed to operate when the IRS sits on our money for months?
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Lucy Taylor
I'm so sorry you went through that! I had the same experience with a CP05 notice last year. I was furious at first, but I found calling the specific number on the notice (not the main IRS line) actually helped. The agent explained they were verifying my business income and expenses, and gave me a timeframe. Still took 45 days, but at least I knew what was happening.
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Connor Murphy
Dealing with the IRS is like trying to swim through molasses. They expect us to pay our taxes on time to the minute, but when it comes to refunds? It's like they're moving in slow motion underwater. Last year they held my $8k refund for 87 days. It's like they're getting an interest-free loan from small business owners.
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KhalilStar
Be careful about checking your transcript too frequently! The IRS system has been known to flag accounts with excessive login attempts as potential fraud concerns. This can sometimes trigger additional security measures that further delay processing. I recommend checking no more than once every 3-4 days. Step 1: Set calendar reminders instead of checking daily. Step 2: Make sure your contact information is up to date in case they need to reach you. Step 3: If you reach day 60 with no updates, that's when you should consider contacting them directly.
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Amelia Dietrich
Your return is likely in the Business Master File (BMF) processing queue, which operates on a different timeline than individual returns. The 45-day mark is actually within normal parameters for Schedule C processing during peak season. The absence of transcript updates indicates pre-processing status rather than an issue with your return. Most business returns filed in Q1 are experiencing similar timeframes.
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