I’ve received several messages to readers who read this forbes.com column, asking for assistance in tax refunds as well as stimulus payments. They’re looking for information on what’s the problem? I’ve got some suggestions however, I cannot offer advice to every reader because each delay is a matter of circumstance or particular to the person who is suffering from the delay.
Users Speak Up
B.W. of Georgia states: “I am still waiting for my refunds for 2020. We submitted our tax return on the 1st of March and haven’t received any answers. When I visit the IRS website, it says that they are waiting for it. On the phone, they advise using the website. The site states that they are”Pending.
L.K. of Delaware writes:”I am an avid Forbes reader. I read your article about tax issues. I sent my tax return in, but I’m unable to see whether they have received it.I have tried for more than 2 months.”
C.G. of Chicago says: “I was supposed to receive my refund today. I’ve yet to receive it. … What should I contact regarding this?”
T.L. of Seattle wrote: “I’m still waiting on my tax refunds. … I contacted [the IRStwo months ago, and I was told I’d be able to receive an IRS check by the 24th of May 2021.”
M.M., who was laid off, wrote: “I’m waiting for my refund, like many other people who are in a similar situation. … I am extremely frustrated with the fact that those who need it the most, people who had children during the pandemic and are the ones who have not received stimulus money , and who are experiencing our taxes slowed down and there is no communication.”
All Different Conditions
The individuals listed above have distinct experiences and situations that may cause delays in refunds or stimulus payments. However, the only thing they have in common is that they require help. The issue is that there is no universally applicable solution. The best thing we can do at this moment is get some information through the IRS. Here’s what I discovered.
The IRS Responds
For taxpayers who are waiting for refunds For those who are awaiting refunds, you can rest assured that the IRS recognizes the delays and is doing everything it can to facilitate the processing of the millions of tax refunds.
An IRS spokesperson stated: “If your refund is delayed, we sincerely apologize. We are aware of how crucial that we process and process refunds swiftly. Be assured that our employees are hard at work – even over the weekend – to make sure you get your refund.”
In June around 18 million individual tax returns were still in the pipeline, with some of them that were filed in previous years. The IRS hopes to bring the backlog down to a single digit by the end of summer.
There are several specific reasons specific to 2020 that could delay the process, according to the spokesperson that includes the Reward Rebate Credit (RRC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The most common reason for delays is a taxpayer who claims a credit not what is believed to be the amount they are eligible for (according to IRS documents). For the EITC typically, the issue is an individual who chooses to use their 2019 earnings in order to calculate the credit. In both instances the situation requires specific attention by an IRS employee and the tax filing may be more time-consuming to process.
Does Your Tax Return be delayed for Other Motives?
Other delays that could affect your specific situation may be due to these factors that are listed by the IRS website: if the return is impacted by fraud or identity theft or has errors, it could be not complete. The IRS will notify a taxpayer by mail in the event that more information is required to process the return. The only thing that is known is what time it might happen.
Refunds have been processed to date
This won’t be helpful to those who have written to me, so far the year has been a success. IRS reporting statistics from the week ended on June 4 2021 indicated that more than 102 million refunds had already been made and more than 90% directly deposited. There are weekly information on processing tax returns through IRS.gov on IRS Operations during COVID-19: Mission-critical tasks continue.
Which Should You Choose?
You can always contact the IRS to get help (800-829-1040) Try this first.
Visit ” Where’s My Refund?” on IRS.gov. Select”Check My Refund Status” in the “Check my refund status” blue box. Then you must enter your Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) and your filing status, and the exact amount of refund which was reflected included on the tax returns you filed. The program has a tracking tool that can show three phases: (1) Return Received; (2) Refund Approved (3) Refund Sent. (3) Refund sent.
The site is updated at least once each day, and usually overnight according to an IRS spokesperson.
The IRS App is Another Choice
There’s an IRS web-based application that can provide you with up-to-date information regarding your refund. It is possible to access the application through the internet or via your smartphone. Visit IRS.gov. IRS.gov site to the following page. You’ll be able to see “IRS2Go,” which is the official mobile app from the IRS which you can download onto your phone via Google Play, amazon.com or Apple.
The app will let you know the status of your refund. It is also possible to make use of the app to complete your tax return at no cost If you haven’t filed it already. The app is available in English as well as a Spanish version.
It’s Not Helpful To Sending In Two Returns
If you think it would assist in sending the IRS an additional duplicate of your tax-related return don’t be helpful, according to the IRS spokesperson The IRS spokesperson said that it “won’t help speed up the process, but it can delay it.”
What else can be done?
It is beneficial to offer people in desperate need (M.M. for instance) particular attention. One option is to let them contact representatives of the U.S. House of Representatives representative in their congressional district. Contact information is available here. on this page. The same option is available to find contact information to U.S. senators.
Where is My Stimulus Payment?’
“Get My Payment ” “Get My Payment” tool that is available on IRS.gov is the most reliable tool to check if they are close to the process of completing your economic Impact Pay (EIPs).
With regards to EIPs, more than 169 million direct deposit and checks have been made , that comprises more than eight millions “plus-up” payments (to people who had zero or less than the total amount).
If you’re not receiving the stimulus money you believe you ought to have received, you have two alternatives: either prepare a tax return in order for your Recovery Rebate Credit, or sign up for the new Non-filer Registration Tool.
If you didn’t submit a tax return for 2020 and don’t owe tax or other taxes, you may submit a tax return in order to receive a credit for the Recovery Rebate.
This Registration Tool for Non-filers was made public the 14th of June, 2021, by the Treasury Department and IRS. Treasury Department and the IRS. Although the tool is designed to assist families that aren’t required to complete tax returns, to sign up in time for monthly advance child Tax Credit payments (set to start on the 15th of July), it also is available to those who do not have tax returns to file and wish to receive their 2019 Recovery Rebate Credit and their third Economic Impact Payment. The tool, which is an upgrade of the IRS version for non-filers that was launched in the year before and is available through IRS.gov.
This tool might be of use for another user, J.D., who wrote: “I need help on understanding how to obtain the stimulus money. … This is me, an individual who struggles each day to get through the day. I am struggling to make enough to cover rent and to buy food items to eat for the whole month, and at the close of the month, I’ve barely any cash remaining in my bank account.”
In the end, help is out there, but perhaps not as quickly as one would prefer. We hope that — soon, we’ll have an option to accelerate the process of granting stimulus funds (and refunds) when the need is urgent.
