Why My Return Is Taking So Long?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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What’s Taking So Long? If you don’t receive your refund in 21 days,

your tax return might need further review

. This may happen if your return was incomplete or incorrect. The IRS may send you instructions through the mail if it needs additional information in order to process your return.

What is taking so long to get my refund?

In fact the IRS has already announced that there will likely be longer than usual tax refund payment delays due to

processing/validation of past year and amended returns, staffing/budget constraints and the ongoing payment and reconciliation of past stimulus payments and tax credits

(like the CTC).

Why is my IRS refund still processing 2020?

If you’re still waiting on your tax refund, it’s possible that

your tax return is taking longer for the IRS to process because it requires additional review

. There are several reasons why your tax return may be delayed: Errors such as an incomplete filing status. Missing information.

Why does my refund say still being processed?

Return being processed’ means

the IRS got your tax return

— but your refund could still be delayed, says CPA. Typically, the IRS issues refunds in three weeks or 21 calendar days.

How far behind is the IRS on tax refunds?

WASHINGTON — Even though the Internal Revenue Service issues most refunds in

less than 21 days

for taxpayers who filed electronically and chose direct deposit, some refunds may take longer. Many different factors can affect the timing of a refund after the IRS receives a return.

How long can the IRS hold your refund for review?

The IRS can go back through three years’ worth of returns or review

up to six years if they find a serious error

.

Why is my 2022 refund taking so long?

Additional factors could slow down the processing of your tax refund, such as

errors, incomplete returns or fraud

. Taxpayers who claim the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC) may see additional delays because of special rules that require the IRS to hold their refunds until Feb.

How long does it take for refund to be approved 2021?

The IRS typically issues refunds in

less than 21 days

. You can use the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool or call the IRS at 800-829-1954 to check on the status of your refund, beginning 24 hours after you e-file. The IRS will provide an actual refund date as soon as your tax return and refund are approved.

What is the difference between still processing and being processed?

This message means the IRS has processed your return and you are just waiting for your direct deposit date to post to your account.

If you are seeing this refund status “still being processed” it means the IRS can no longer guarantee your refund within the 21 day time frame

.

Why is my tax return still being processed after 2 months?

It is possible that you get a DD date posted by the IRS and then a moment before the refund is released it gets put on hold while the IRS reviews the account which can delay it for months. Think of the IRS process as a long pipe line.

When can I expect my tax refund 2022?

Most filers who use this method should receive their refunds

within 21 days of submitting their return online

. If you mail your return, you can expect to receive your refund in about six to eight weeks from the date the IRS receives your return.

Why is my refund taking over a month?


Your refund may be delayed if you made math errors or if you forgot to sign your return or include your Social Security number

. It may also be delayed if your dependents’ information doesn’t match IRS records, or if you left out a corresponding schedule or form to support a deduction or credit, says Pickering.

Why is my refund still processing after 3 months?

Tax return still being processed after 3 months

There are many reasons your tax refund could have been delayed.

Perhaps your numbers and your employer’s numbers did not match, or you accidentally skipped a line or an entire form, or maybe you claimed a credit that the IRS takes longer to check

.

How long will my refund status say processing?

The IRS says: It should take

21 days

to issue a refund once it has been processed. If it has been longer than this, several factors may be holding it up. Before you start to panic, take into consideration the process and what is going on with your paperwork.

Does still being processed mean something is wrong?


It simply means that your e-filed return is being processed and that the government hasn’t approved or rejected it yet

. Sometimes return status does not update for several days or even longer. During this time, the government reviews your refund (processing).

How long does it take the IRS to process a tax return?

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about

six to eight weeks

from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

Why is my refund delayed beyond normal timeframe?

The most common reason for tax return processing delays in current and past tax seasons is due to a legal requirement (under the PATH act) that requires the IRS to wait for around 3 weeks after it starts processing returns to issue refunds to taxpayers claiming the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax …

How long does it take for the IRS to approve your refund 2022?

Most taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit will get their refund within

21 days

, assuming there are no problems with the return, according to the IRS.

Are taxes taking longer this year?


The IRS said it’s taking longer to process tax returns for the 2020 tax year

, and up to a month longer to process amended returns. “It’s taking us more than 20 weeks (instead of up to 16 weeks) to process amended returns,” the agency said on its site. “Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS,” the agency said.

How do I know if my tax return is flagged?

  1. Excessive write-offs compared with earnings.
  2. Unreported income.
  3. Refundable credits like the earned income tax credit.
  4. Home office and auto deductions.
  5. Rounded numbers.

Can I sue the IRS for my refund?

Generally, if you fully paid the tax and the IRS denies your tax refund claim, or if the IRS takes no action on the claim within six months, then you may file a refund suit. You can file a suit in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims.

Why does IRS need 60 days?

What does this mean? The review means that

your return is pending because IRS is verifying information on your tax return

(e.g., income items calculations, etc.). They may just have randomly chosen your return to review; no need to worry. They may contact you before processing your return.

Is the IRS behind on refunds 2022?

“In the year 2022, this doesn’t just seem crazy. It is crazy,” Collins wrote.

As of March 18, the paper return backlog — original individual and business returns as well as amended returns (1040-X forms) — was nearly 15 million.

Why is the IRS holding my refund?

The IRS can hold your current-year refund

if it thinks you made an error on your current-year return, or if the IRS is auditing you or finds a discrepancy on a filed return from the past

. If the IRS thinks you made an error on your return, the IRS can change your refund.

How long does it take for tax refund to show in Bank Account 2021?

The IRS notes, “If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued

within 21 days of the received date

. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances.”

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.