If you're expecting a tax refund, the most common advice is that you should file your tax return as soon as possible. There is no reason to let the government keep your money any longer. But for some filers this year, your early tax return will be delayed because of new laws designed to stop identity theft.
Over the last few years, identity theft related to taxes has exploded. In order to reduce possible losses from identity theft, Congress passed a law that forces the IRS to delay issuing refunds for people claiming certain deductions (the ones most likely used by identity thieves).
The sad part is, though, that many honest people will see their tax returns delayed by several weeks. Now, that's not detrimental, but it is a longer wait than in past years. In fact, you can see our estimated tax refund calendar to know when you're going to expect your tax refund.
Why Your Tax Return Will Be Delayed
If you're a crook, you try to file as many tax returns as quickly as possible. You see, the IRS processes everything on a first-come, first serve basis. So, if a criminal files a tax return in your name before you do, and they steal your refund - they win the race.
For the government, they will end up paying you the proper refund, but they also lost the money that went to the criminals. The bottom line is that they are delaying your tax refund because they don't want to lose more money. And it is serious money - the IRS estimates it paid out of $1.3 billion in fraudulent tax refunds last year.
If you're a victim of identity theft, you're going to have to submit a bunch of documents to the IRS to get the identity theft issue resolved. This can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. It's a long process, and it's not always easy.
In an effort to combat this, the IRS is now going to hold some refunds until February 15, 2018. The goal here is to see if two tax returns are filed for the same individual.
If you're concerned you are a victim of identity theft, read our common IRS questions and answers here for more information.
What Types Of Tax Returns Does This Impact?
It's important to note that not ALL tax returns are being delayed because of this new law. Only tax returns that have the following tax credits are being held:
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)
These are likely the most common tax credits taken by criminals, since they are what's known as Refundable Tax Credits. That means, even if you owe no taxes because of low or moderate income, you could still receive a refund for these tax credits.
If you're a criminal looking to get the most money possible, you'll likely want to file a return with these tax credits on it.
However, the impact is that low and moderate income tax filers have to wait longer for their tax refunds than in previous years.
How Long Do I Have To Wait For My Refund?
So, how long a delay will my tax return have? It all depends...
The IRS is still estimating that 90% of people should receive their refunds within 21 days. If you file early, the IRS will hold your refund until February 15, and then begin processing your refund. So, you could see a delay until the middle to end of February.
Based on what we've seen in prior years, we have a estimated tax refund calendar that we believe is pretty accurate. We encourage you to post your story so that others can see the timing as it happens.
Did you find your tax refund delayed by this new law?
I’ve always filed early and this is the first year it’s been delayed. It’s been 22 days, and I have tax topic 152 with my refund amount. I don’t want to call yet, but I don’t know why I’m receiving this message whereas before, I had bars. Needless to say, it’s frustrating. Anyone else experiencing this? I don’t have EIC or child tax credits, so why the delay?
90% of filers get their refund within 21 days. Remember, though, some tax software doesn’t transmit on the day filing opens. Also, that remaining 10% is like 30 million people – you’re not alone.
I have the child tax credit and I’m seeing the same 152 topic and it’s been 22 days
You should expect it later this week or early next week.
I also filed mine prolly the first week of feb and do have child tax credit but for only one child —I also got an advancement leaving h&r block and then got my state loaded to my emerald card but I haven’t seen my federal return yet and when I look there is also that 152 thing on there
152 means you’re getting a refund. It takes 21 days on average, but since you have ACTC, your 21 days started February 15.
How do you 152 means we are getting a return
Because the IRS says so: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc152
I submitted my tax return on Jan 30. I called the IRS and they said it’s been processed but they are holding it to ensure I don’t have any tax debts or owe money to anyone. I had an installment payment arrangement for 2015 taxes which was payed in full last year (2017). They confirmed all tax debts have been paid so I don’t understand how they can hold my refund. Nobody can tell me when to expect it. Has anyone else had a similar situation? If so, how long did it take to get your refund?
I did my refund on January 23,2018 and i called IRS they said my refund is still processing.
Its been over 21 days now my bars have disappeared and the website says its still processing my refund and it will provide a date when available i called and asked them about the school credit i claim and one rep. Told me people who claim school credit refund will be delayed til may 6. But they cant give me any other answers
Yes, I was advised the same information and I filed Feb. 3rd this isn’t fair to us seeing as though we have responsibilities as well.
What is school tax credit
My return was accepted on 1/25 and mine is still processing.
I did mine Jan 23 says it’s processing it’s won’t tell me but that it’s saying income verification what is that and we are already in march
I received a letter from the IRS that stated the delay can be up to 60 days as they review my income. I have multiple jobs last years as I have done the year before. 60 days is a long time the letter was worded like I was a criminal that didn’t even file my taxes. I filed on 1/29. I feel the real reason is because the government shutdown no reason my return should be delayed. Before that I received my return back in a month or so. They should just state they are behind on issuing refunds.
Mine is the exact same way! If i dont get mine by april 23rd i have to call the IRS.
Well I got the same letter. I filed min Jan 27 2018. This is the 1st time mine has ever gotten held hostage. I guess they think this is extra but its not I live off that though out the year to offset what I don’t make. If I owed them they would want interest on top of what I owed.
I filed mine February 9th and it’s still saying processing omg what is actually going on
Nothing, it takes 21 days on average. You’re almost to that time.
so from feb 15th to 21 days from then I should be getting them march 8th or 9th
We filed an injured spouse claim form w additional child tax credit, now it was my student loan debt with first hubby so I don’t think my new husband should have to pay this debt but we filed married filing joint on Jan 26 2018. It’s been what 43 days and the IRS says still processing. Today is March 9,2018. Oops also claimed student loans for my daughter so this is like 3/4 issues they have to look into and I know it will get to us when it gets to us and the longer the government sits on our taxes they making money. It’s time they let some money go. With new laws in effect this year everyone will get delayed.
Happened to us last year. You won’t get your refund until June -July. But they will add in interest for the time they held the refund.
I filed mine feb 8 and I’m getting the still processing message as well. I don’t have any school. Just work and kids.
I file my taxes jan 25 it still say processing this is crazy only file 2 kids plus my job
I filed my taxes o Feb 6, 2018. It is March 6 and mines still says processing!!! I’m so frustrated.
Has anyone started to receive there returns yet
NO ! I filed mines on 01/29 they said they wouldnt process it until 02/15 and i still have no information yet it still says processing .
I filed mine on Feb 1st and says it is still processing as well.
.
I think they should give us more information than what they are giving us
I filed on January 29th and it still says processing, very frustrating!
I filed on 3/19 any word on when i should get mine??
Check out our tax refund calendar.
Gm morning will they send notice in the mail if anything is wrong.
The irs released my refund march 2nd but i haven’ T received anything an my wmr hasnt updated they said i have to waot 3 weeks an order to recieve a refund
I filed on Feb 1st and it still says it is being processed. I called them and they said it is in their “resolutions department”. I’ve been told it will fix itself to they don’t know what is wrong, they aren’t able to see it. Should I be concerned?
I wouldn’t. It’s probably a simple mistake or error and they’ll fix it and send you an adjustment based on what was wrong. I’ve had it happen to me before and it’s no big deal.
I also just called h&r block to see what is goin on they said my return was picked to be audited ?
If you were being audited you would have received a letter, had to provide a bunch of information to the IRS, and likely have to have a meeting with the IRS.
The fact you don’t have a refund or any information means you’re NOT being audited. However, your return could be under review (which isn’t an audit), or it could still be processing.
I’m very surprised to hear that a tax professional would tell you that you were being audited.
ok thank you for responding! They have me completely stressed out over it – thinking I did something wrong on turbo tax.
Remember even if you ever get audited which we have and I didn’t have receipts but wrote it on a calendar that year the IRS does accept that as proof. So always keep a calendar for the year of taxes stowed away. Just a tip
For all of you people waiting on your tax refund and have been checking where’s my refund I filed early probably the 1st of February and it was accepted it hit my bank today. And the IRS website still says being processed check your bank account
March 8th 2018 would be 21 days from February 15. So should I receive a direct deposit soon? An IRS tax rep told me to wait 30-45 days from February 15. This is confusing.
Yes it should be any time now.
Hello, I filed my taxes on March 5th. No status bars and that’s puzzling. Just says “We have received your tax return and it is being processed.” No tax topic next to the refund amount. I’m not claiming any earned income credit or child tax credits. What do you think is the holdup? Are they running behind?
I don’t think there is a hold up. You’re not even at 21 days yet.
well I filed on 1/22 and it is 3/28 i am way past the 21 days. Is there a reason for that? anyone who comments that is within 21 days you have that reason… “you are still in 21 days” but as for me i am not! so whats the excuse? it said still pending, my transcripts state my cycle posted is 20180605 and my remittance date is 4/15/18 what does all that mean??
You should call if you’re past the 21 days.
We filed 1/29, waited our 21 days and still showed we were processing. We called on Feb 23 and they said it would be another 30 to 60 days of processing before we would be given an update because my husband and I are both in college!! Still have no idea when we will even receive our taxes!! It’s B.S. if you ask me!
Change your W-4 withholdings so you don’t get a refund next year – problem solved.
We are trying to figure out how to do this and tried the paycheck check up calculator. Our daughter will be starting college next year and we struggled to figure out how to change our withholdings to the right amount (my husband works two full time jobs, I work & we get EIC). Is hiring an accountant just to help us figure out what we should have on our W4’s to avoid an overpayment a good idea?
If you’re not scared of paying the IRS, you can always change it to 0. If you’re scared you’ll spend the money all year and not be able to pay your tax bill, you need to adjust your withholdings more accurately. The IRS withholding calculator is a great tool: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-withholding-calculator
Hey . I filed my taxes on 2/9/2018 and I had my bars up than a week later , I check the wmr and my bars was gone and said still being process. No tax topic . No letter from the irs . I called and a computer I answer the same reply as the wmr. And it’s still in process
I filed 2/4 and accept same day I got a letter saying I was under review do nothing, then I finally got some transcripts that’s said they didn’t start processing it til march 5 it had a code 570 2018705 when will I received my money its been almost 2 months smh
Did you call the IRS?
I filed 1/29 and still nothing . called in feb and the irs said everything was fine just under review. Then i got a tax advocat and she said some of my earnings were not released from previous employer so i faxed it all ove. Well its now april and i am still waiting. This is so stupid
I e-filed on December 31, 2017. I applied for a loan and received it within 3 day. Then I received a notice by mail letting me know my refund was being Delayed Reference# 1541 and that I didn’t have to do anything, I only have to wait 60 days from when the letter was mailed which was February 7, 2018. Now I’m 3 days shy from the 60 day delay should I prepare for another delay or will the IRS keep there word an release my refund.
Error code 1541 typically means there is an offset – meaning for some reason your refund is being taken to pay a debt of some kind. You should really follow up with the IRS.
My taxes were efiled 02/20 got a letter from irs 03/19, I called and was told I was under review. I have been filing the same for 10 years einc and child dependent, They told me if I haven’t received my refund by may 16th to give them a call back. What is going on???
On any given year, around 0.10% of returns are randomly selected for review. Maybe you simply were unlucky?
We filed 1/29. Everything is the same as the last few years. On April 2nd we still hadn’t received our refund. We called and after hours trying to reach someone we were told we were “under 60 day review with no notes”. We asked what that meant and she says “it’s cause of path act, call us back June 9th if you don’t have it then”. We asked why it was taking so long or if we did something wrong and she said “no everything seems fine it’s just how long it takes.”
I wanted to cry.
I did my taxes March 12th, they were accepted that day. It’s now April 11th and nothing. H&R Block said the irs accepted them. On the IRS site it says they are being processed and will be given a date in time. So then I called the irs and the lady seemed clueless, she said it doesn’t say anything’s wrong but to check and see if I get a letter in the mail which she thinks will happen and it might be over insurance but she said she wasn’t sure cause it didn’t say anything when she pulled it up? Idk I’m just really comfused and want my money and idk what to do 🙁
I would wait another week or so and call them back. Make sure you clearly state it has been 21 days and no update. Just a note that 10% of returns go past 21 days, and it’s normal.
I submitted my taxes Jan 28th 2018, was supposed to recieve Feb 21st 2018… did not recieve .. i called on Feb 26th lady told me i was selected for a review that i would be recieving it 21 days from the review start date of Feb 5th….. If i dont see it by March 9th to call back… i did not recieve it… i called again on March 12th the lady i talked to this time said that my review didnt start until March 6th that i should expect it by April 18th… call back if it dont….. I need my money seriously….. I have alot to catch up. i depend heavily on it. IRS has no clue what they are doing and on different pages. how does a review start on 2 different months????
I claimed my kids and worked all year, I bought a house in 2017 was the only change from previous years… needless to say im pissed and a friend of mine told me she had a review few years ago didnt get nothing until september……. shoot me now. tired of the run arounds.
You might benefit a lot from contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service to see if they can help: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/21673/what-is-a-tax-advocate-and-should-you-contact-one/
I filed 1-31-18. No letter,no refund no codes, wmr says still processing as of today 4-17-18.
I’m still waiting..somewhat patiently, filed on 1/29.. glad to see I’m not the only one still in the dark about my refund. Relieved review letter March 8th. Waiting till May 7th before I start to loose it. Tax season has never been such a pain in the neck, definitely changing my dependents to 0 after this fiasco.