Tax Offset for 2023 Return - How Long Until I Get the Remaining Balance?

Been there, done that, got the IRS letter to prove it. When my return was offset for a past debt last year, it took about 2-3 weeks after the offset notice for the remaining balance to hit my account. The IRS processes the offset first, then has to recalculate what you're actually owed, and THEN they send the rest. It's like they're using dial-up internet to process these things. It's frustrating, but hang in there - that money is still coming your way!

This is a common Treasury Offset Program (TOP) situation. Based on current IRS processing protocols, after the Bureau of Fiscal Service (BFS) completes the offset procedure, the remaining balance undergoes Residual Refund Processing (RRP). If you want to understand exactly what's happening with your transcript during this process, you might try taxr.ai - it can analyze your account transcript and explain exactly which phase of the offset/refund process you're in. It helped me understand the various codes and cycle dates when I had a similar situation with an education loan offset. Very useful for monitoring when your remaining balance will be released.

Did you receive a notice about the offset before filing your 2023 return? And have you checked your transcript to see if there are any specific codes showing the offset has been processed? What about any 971 or 290 codes with recent dates? Those might give you clues about where exactly your return is in the process.

UGH I went through this EXACT situation last year! So frustrating! The IRS told me 2-3 weeks but it took 6 WEEKS to get my remaining balance! I finally got fed up and used Claimyr to reach an actual human at the IRS (https://claimyr.com). They got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for DAYS on my own. The agent was able to tell me exactly what was happening with my refund and gave me a specific date when the remaining balance would be deposited. Totally worth it because I was going CRAZY with anxiety about when that money would arrive.

I've been through a few offsets in my time, and here's what I've learned: instead of waiting for the IRS to process the remaining balance, you can sometimes speed things up by calling the Treasury Offset Program directly at 800-304-3107. Back in 2022, I called them, verified my identity, and they told me exactly when the offset occurred and how much was taken. Armed with that info, I was able to call the IRS with specific details, which seemed to help them give me more accurate information about the timeline for my remaining refund.

Have you received any notices in the mail about the offset yet? According to the Internal Revenue Manual section 21.4.6, the IRS is required to send you a notice explaining the offset. This could give you more insight into the timeline for your remaining balance.

My brother had his refund offset last year for back child support, and the remaining $1,243 showed up exactly 17 days after the offset processed. My cousin had hers offset for student loans, and it took 23 days. It seems like the timeline varies based on what type of debt is being paid and how busy the IRS is during that particular period. Right now we're in peak tax season, so I'd expect it to be on the longer end of the spectrum.

I was in this situation last year - it was like watching a turtle race through molasses! My refund was offset for an old tax debt, and the remaining balance took about 3 weeks to arrive. It's like the IRS has to manually count each penny twice before they'll send you what's left. The worst part was not knowing when it would come, so I kept checking my bank account like a kid waiting for Santa. Hang in there!

IRS offsets are slow. Treasury takes their cut. Rest comes later. Usually 2-3 weeks. Sometimes longer. Check WMR daily. Look for status change. Call if nothing after 30 days.