Who to call about NY unemployment tax refund from last year?

The unemployment tax refund isn't actually handled by NYSDOL - it's an IRS thing. If you paid taxes on your unemployment benefits and were eligible for the refund, the IRS would have processed it automatically. You should check your tax transcript on the IRS website or call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. They can tell you if you were eligible and if a refund was issued.

i got mine like 6 months after i filed taxes last yr. it just showed up in my bank account one day, never got any notice about it. check ur bank statements maybe u already got it??

The tax refund for unemployment benefits from last year depends on your income level. If you made under $150,000, a portion of your unemployment benefits (up to $10,200) should have been excluded from taxation. The IRS was supposed to automatically recalculate and issue refunds. But there's a few things to check first: 1. Did you file your taxes before the American Rescue Plan passed? (That's when this exemption was created) 2. Did you include your unemployment as income on your tax return? 3. Have you checked your tax transcript on the IRS website? You'll need to contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040, but good luck getting through. Their hold times are ridiculous.

My sister had this same problem and spent WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS. She finally used this service called Claimyr that got her through to an actual person at the IRS. I think she said it cost money but was worth it to finally get answers. The website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I never got any refund either and when I finally got through to someone they said I wasn't eligible because I had other income sources during the year. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN. They make it impossible to even talk to a person and when you do they give you different answers every time!!!

I went through this exact situation last year! The key is checking your tax transcript on IRS.gov - it will show if they processed an adjustment for you. Look for a code 971 or 290 on your account transcript. If you don't see any adjustment but think you're eligible, you might need to file an amended return. Also, the NY Department of Taxation and Finance might have information if you're asking about state tax refunds on unemployment benefits. Their number is 518-457-5181, but again, this is primarily an IRS matter for federal taxes.

when i used that claimyr thing for my regular unemployment it totally worked but my friend tried it for irs and said it worked for that 2. worth a shot if ur desperate

My tax person told me that they're STILL processing some of these refunds from last year! The IRS is so backed up it's ridiculous. I filed in February 2024 and didn't get my unemployment tax adjustment until November! You might still be in their system waiting to be processed.

Just to clarify one thing - the refund being discussed was for unemployment benefits received in 2024, not the refund itself. The American Rescue Plan excluded a portion of unemployment benefits from taxation for that tax year only. If you received unemployment in 2024 and had federal taxes withheld (or paid estimated taxes on it), and your AGI was under $150,000, you should have qualified. The IRS was supposed to automatically recalculate and issue refunds, but many people fell through the cracks. Definitely check your tax transcript first before taking any other steps.