Seeing a lot of comments from filers this year saying that not only have then not gotten their refund payments but are still waiting for their tax refund for returns filed last year!
Why the Ongoing Delay in Processing Returns and Paying Refunds?
The main reason for this is that the IRS has millions of returns under review due to errors or those submitted via paper or as an amended return that need further examination. So if you are still waiting for your current or prior year’s refund, you are not alone!
Never received return ..said still being processed … Status never changed on they’re end.i can’t get any info. From irs!! (Tim K)
[IRS] are focusing now on the current year returns, and unfortunately last years return went on ‘the back burner’ until… who knows?? I am still awaiting my return from 2 years ago, same thing happened to me with the bars and status last January. (Crystal)
Same thing with me and it’s impossible to get someone on the phone this is so ridiculous the customer service is horrible when they [IRS] do pick up. (Pandora)
Return and refund delay comments
New tax laws and mandates to pay stimulus checks, exclude unemployment income (in 2020) and child tax credits in advance have also diverted the IRS’ focus and extended processing times.
Even though some of these changes were only temporary, the IRS processes and antiquated systems have been unable to keep up resulting in more manual reviews.
Because most of these “under review” prior year returns need to be processed manually for further examination, it is taking several weeks for an already short staffed IRS to assign someone to review older returns.
Can I Still File My Current Return if Waiting for Last Year to be Processed?
Yes, as discussed in this article, even if you are a tax filer whose prior year tax return has not yet been processed by the IRS, you can still file a current year tax return.
Just remember to enter $0 (zero dollars) for last year’s AGI since the IRS requires you to input your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your most recent tax return when you file electronically. You won’t be able to submit your return until this is done.
How Can I Check the Status of my Past Returns or Refund?
The IRS’ WMR or IRS2Go tool only provides the status of your most recently filed tax return within the past two tax years. If you need to go back longer than that or need more detail, then check your IRS tax transcript.
How can I get Help for past year returns?
If you have been waiting for over 4 to 6 months on getting an update or a live IRS agent has been unable to help you, then consider contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).
They are especially helpful for those who cannot afford to see an accountant (or CPA) or facing extreme hardship and need urgent help with issues around their tax return and refund delays
Can I SUE the IRS if still waiting for my return?
Technically yes, but legally you will have little legal recourse as the IRS cannot really be effectively sued for overpayments (i.e. your refund). Further the cost of suing the IRS will likely be far more than your refund is worth.
Note, however that the IRS has to pay you interest if your refund payment was delayed through no fault of your own (i.e. due to their processing issues).
It has been more than 20 weeks since I filed my Amended Return all I get is still in processing now I cannot even access online status