Updated Feb. 14, 2019
Princess Bride impatience via Giphy.com
Mid-February is finally here, the time when the Internal Revenue Service can finally issue refunds to taxpayers who had claimed the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) and/or the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Does that mean these refunds will show up today? No, that's a refund myth, even if you filed your Form 1040 on Jan. 28, the first day that the IRS began processing 2018 tax year returns.
Neither is your refund likely to be directly deposited into your bank account, loaded onto a debit card or as a paper check stuffed in your snail mail box next week.
In fact, the IRS is warning affected ACTC and EITC filers that they probably won't have their tax cash before Feb. 27. And that's in the best-case scenario; that is, when the refund is directly deposited and there are no other issues with the filing.
Reasons for delays: It's no secret why refunds due taxpayers who claim the two refundable, meaning you get money back even if you don't owe any tax for it to offset, credits are slow.
Congress, concerned that ineligible folks were getting EITC and ACTC cash, mandated the mid-February hold starting last filing season. That gave the IRS extra time to make sure the claims were legit.
Other returns are delayed because of the inevitable errors many filers make.
Then there are the increased number of filters and checks that the IRS puts all returns through to ensure that they are being filed by lawful taxpayers and not identity stealing criminals. It's working.
Since 2015, the number of tax-related identity theft victims has fallen by almost two-thirds, according to an IRS announcement earlier this month.
In 2017, the IRS received 242,000 reports from taxpayers compared to 401,000 in 2016, a 40 percent decline. That marked the second year in a row this number fell, thanks in large part, to the IRS' work with its Security Summit partners in the tax industry and state tax departments.
No firm delivery dates: Still, for taxpayers anxiously awaiting tax refunds, the delays can be frustrating.
The IRS used to issue an annual chart, officially known as IRS Publication 2043, of when you could expect your tax refund. Too many folks, however, started taking those delivery dates as strict promises.
So in 2012, the last year of the printed refund timetable, the IRS decided to focus instead online refund tracking. That year, filers started getting more personalized refund status info via the IRS' Where's My Refund? search tool.
Now millions of taxpayers each year use Where's My Refund? to find out, well, where exactly in the IRS processing system their refund is. Once a return is processed, the tracking tool lets the inquiring taxpayer know an expected delivery date for his or her refund money.
The refund data is updated once a day, usually overnight, so checking it more often won't get you any additional info or spur a quicker arrival of your refund.
You can check out Where's My Refund from your PC or laptop, as well as your digital devices with the IRS2Go app. Or you can use your cell phone to call 1 (800) 829-1954 for refund information.
Recreating refund tables: Some folks have recreated the old refund cycle chart to project when refunds filed on a certain date might be available.
These unofficial tables generally use the IRS' oft-repeated statement that it issues nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days to project when refunds filed on a certain date might be available.
I get it. I'm a big fan of tables and charts myself. And I know folks like some certainty, particularly when it involves their money.
But I'm going to have to go with the IRS and its decision to no longer provide even quasi-specific refund delivery dates. Taxes, like life, can get complicated and mess up plans.
That's also why I'm reiterating the caution that the IRS makes in its current, revised Publication 2043, now known as Refund Information Guidelines for the Tax Preparation Community. It says there:
Caution
Urge taxpayers not to count on getting the refund by a certain date to make major purchases or pay bills. Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, it's possible their tax return may require additional review and take longer.
You also might find these items of interest:
- The pros and cons of tax refunds
- When real life meets tax refund loans
- Government shutdown could revive tax refund advanced products
Wilma L Whitt
I filed January 16 and received a letter requesting more documentation in May and faxed all the documentation to them within 30 days and started calling to verify that they received the documentation and they did on july 12th and then started getting the run around till I received another letter requesting more documentation showing proof of residence and dependent verification. I faxed that to them within a week and now can’t get any one to answer the phone! I am so aggravated and angry. I called the taxpayers advocate services and they said they couldn’t help me unless I had a foreclosure or eviction! Really?
Whitney Knight
I filed on January 30th. I am still waiting for my return. I never got a letter in the mail or anything. But I did move after I filed. When I check the status of my refund all it says is processing. I’m very frustrated and can never get a person on the phone.
Gloria
Been 60 days nothing yet still processing been filed since February 18 where is my money
Jeremy
FINALLY BEEN APPROVED!!! Start checking. Hopefully it’s happening for everyone!!
Angela Monique Britton
Stop with the political bs, honestly the whole government is crooked. Democrats, Republican, no difference. It’s June I still don’t have money or any word this is totally bs!!! I want answers and MY MONEY!
Tiffani Pool
Exactly the same thing happen to us. It’s been 4 months. This is such crap. I am at a loss for words
Jeremy
I have never in my life had to wait this long for my refund. I got the letter like everyone else, waited my 60 days, called them on day 61, and now they’re going to put in a referral which could take an additional 60 days! JULY!! Are you kidding me?? Where is the accountability for these people? Oh, wait, there isn’t any. They can take our money in a second but I have to wait almost 7 months to get mine back. And, that’s if I even get it in July.
Cassie
Got the letter that said wait 60 days that was up on the 9th of this month so called back was told they will file a part and now I have to wait unother 60 days and if I don’t get a phone call or letter to call them back. This is bullsh*t. If I owed them money I would have to pay intrest.
Shelly Mckee
Same boat as everyone else… if you received a letter that says wait 60 days I have a number for IRS to call. As long as it has been 60 days they will send to a different department and they are required to make a move. She did say it can take up to an additional 60 days but at this point at least we are moving… I hope here’s the number. 1800-906-9887
John W.
But remember, that refund is just your money that you are letting the government hold for you. And it isn’t earning you any interest. If you adjust your withholding values, more goes to you and less to the government during the year. And yes, I know there are exceptions, but if you are getting a regular salary you ought to be able to calculate out how much to have withheld. Not that I ever could figure it out, but my wife can.
And of course, you can also have the option to owe the government money and pay them as late as possible; meanwhile that money can be sitting in savings or some other financial arrangement earning interest.
Doc
We know who to blame only idiots would vote for idiots….thanks a bunch
James plante
Still waiting with no word from the low life feds..but if i owed them money they would have it in there hands asap..give me give me give me but when its on the other foot its no no no..and this is not trumps fault you fools. Do some research before you blab of at you sucker..its obamas 2015 act fault.
Alli
I am having a difficult time understanding why the mess that we are currently experiencing regarding our tax refund situation isn’t getting any better. I can see wanted to ensure that money isn’t lose due to fraud and what not, but the time involved has left me unable to get caught up with old bills and new ones are coming in full force which means another year struggling just to keep the necessities in tack. In my opinion this is so wrong on so many levels. I mean we can figure out simple task as it relates to spending more money for various reasons but not to help folks get their tax refunds faster so bills can be paid. I thought filing earlier and through turbo tax would be the ticket for one because turbo is cheaper than H&R Block sad I say
Faith Charity Hackney
I see now im feeling pissed lost my car over this bullshit… thanks for making me feel non alone though..
Kamron
I’m in the same boat, extremely close to dropping deeper in depression. I filed the 29th of Jan thinking that if I submitted my return early I would naturally receive it faster, WRONG. Never received a letter until the first week of March stating it would be sorted out by MAY 5th WTF!!!!! I have now become deep in debt with interest rates raping my already depleted bank account and on the verge of going to jail as a result. As a single father and full time student this is absolute bulls*t and unfair to the middle and lower class american population. . .
Randell brooks
I file like everyone early only to be put on hole.i file evey year the same.still in possessing mode for two months and counting what yto do
cassie
I filed the 1st of February and it was accepted the 2nd. I used HR Block like I do every year. I had the process bar up until the 15th then it just keeps saying processing will have a date as soon as it’s available. I called the IRS around the 1st of March to ask what is going on that is when they told me that they had to verify my EIC, the lady told me if they are my kids I have nothing to worry about. I was so pissed at that point and ended the call. On the 9th of March I called back because I wanted a time frame since I never got one before. The guy from the IRS said I should expect something between the 2nd and the with of April. 2 days later I have a letter in the mail that says they are reviewing my return for the EIC and I should hear something with in 60 days from the data of this letter. I look at the date and it was dated for the 9th of March so that puts my earliest return date to May. I’m pissed. If I owe them I have to pay intrest on every dime I’m late on paying…ugh
Megan
Yep, same as everyone else. I filed mine in January using TurboTax. I’m single with no children, so my taxes are usually very easy. Turbotax said it was accepted pretty fast. Now, according to the “Where’s my Refund” app, it’s been “processing” for two months now. It’s pretty frustrating.
Shay Wilson
I filed on February 1st using turbotax and still nothing. No letter, nothing. I am over it.
Jeremy
Everyone who wants to blame Trump can actually blame Obama. Sorry Liberals. The delays are due to the PATH Act that was passed in 2015. So, do your homework before looking like an idiot placing blame on the wrong person.
cris
Same thing…used turbotax… filed and accepted Jan 29 th and nothing ..I am a single mom and work two jobs and was counting on my return for so many bills! I finally received my state my mail but no one in all the calls I’ve made can explain the federal delay, I got a letter the 23rd of feb but it gives little info only that its under review and on my ‘wheres my refund site” i also get the 152 code
Pebbles
I have also been dealt the same hand then told me that I will receive a letter in one to Two weeks and still no letter I believe this is substantial bullshit.
Shameeka
I FILED ALSO AND EXCEPTED ON THE 31ST OF JAN , I WAS ALSO TOLD AFTER FEB 27TH THAT FEB 15TH I was selected for further review , received a letter a wk later saying that I was selected for review an ,if they needed more info they will contact me. That was the last wk of feb , it’s almost April and I have not received anything….I also have files the same way for the past 6 yrs after moving back home to Mass. I have NEVER had any issues with my taxes until I moves back here , I thought I was the only one that didn’t receive my Fed. I got my state taxes of 2016 this year , so I was surprised that I got 2017 so early but they shorted me 368. Saying it was a EIC or AIC issue of over payment so I still got screwed by the state taxes. But I’ve never had issues with fed. I wonder if all those that called was suddenly picked as we called in and those whom didn’t call got theirs. But I’m so sure that there’s not too many whom received both , either u got the state and not the fed, or u got the federal and not the state , What ever the case I’m not sure what’s going on , but as on 3/24/18 I still have not received my fed. Smdh
James C Nicholas
You know Trump has screwed all of us from the IRS to every branch of the government.This is what happens when you put a Moron in charge.
jamie battles
I will never use turbo tax again and i will not file early. Those two reasons are why your taxes are late. All the fraud is online and we all filed online. No one I talked to who filed by regular mail had any issue.
Michael
I have had the same thing happen to me. I used a certified public accountant. After reading these post and seeing the same information on WMR, leads me to believe maybe the IRS is playing games with the average American. How can refund speeds change in one year?
Mastewart2018
filed 1/29/2018 believing I was doing the right thing by getting it over with early. bad mistake. although seeing people get their DDD puts a smile on my face. Nothing like seeing everyone around you get the BIG BUCKS while all I see is WAMMYS!!! great… I haven’t called IRS because I’m not a sit on the phone and wait type of person. My frustrations are the reason I’m LOCKED out of WMR as of right now. NICE!
Jeremy
Yeah I got the letter too. Didn’t ask for anything. Just that I’ve been selected due to one of a few listed reasons. I filed with an EITC so I know that’s why. Said something about 60 days from date of letter which will be mid-May. The whole thing is ridiculous. They can hold my money but they take what’s there’s under no certain terms.
Samantha
Did anyone Evee receive the letter if so what did the letter ask for?
Nate
I filed january 29th and got accepted the same day but about two weeks after tracking”wheres my refund” the app said “there has been a delay in prossessing” with a number and an ext. So i called and they had no reason why but for me to wait 45 days for them to “REVIEW” my return -.- okay so i waited well about a week later i get a letter saying to wait 60 days to REVIEW my return -.- WTFF DUDE!! Noo ryhme or reason in the letter it says we may send the return if applicable?? What is that supposed to mean just because i claimed ACTC and EITC
Megan
I filed early, same job, same , kid, same everything, I was put under a 45 day “review “! WTF? I need my money and they are now saying if they hold it to long they have to pay us interest on our money! How long?????? WOW
Taxpayer
This taxpayer is tired of stalking the app, where’s my refund. Anybody else feel the same?
For weeks, it’s says the same thing, there’s a delay in processing your return. Tell me something new Uncle Sam because that story is played out.
Mercelis Odom
I filed my taxes every since Jan 28. At first I had a date of getting my money on Feb 22. After about two weeks of checking… the bar disappeared, the date, and I received no letter. So I finally called the irs after a month past and checking the website and still seeing “your refund is still being processed “. They told me I was randomly selected for review on Feb 15 and it could be within 45 days from that date till either I received a letter or my refund. This is crazy !!
Amanda
Same problem. I filed my taxes on February 4th and my fiance’s the same day. I claim 2 children on my taxes and one child on his taxes. He received his February 21st. I have yet to receive mine and when I check it it says still processing a date will be provided when available. So I called the IRS and after 30 minutes the lady tells me that there’s no errors there’s no issues and there’s no letter but that it could be 45 days after March 5th. No Rhyme or Reason. We don’t have anywhere to live right now and I’m trying to use that money to get us a house. This is so frustrating I’ve never had this problem in the past
Adrian
I filed threw turbo tax Jan 26th it was accepted Jan 29th by the irs. Feb 1st I started tracking it got the red bar with a date of Feb 19th then Feb 5th my state return goes in my direct deposit account so I check where’s my refund again to see if my federal return date has changed and the bar gone and says still processing code 152.. So after February 27th I go back to look and it still says the same thing. I call irs and they put me on hold for over 20 min , she comes back to the phone and tell me nothing appears wrong with my tax return so don’t worry. If I don’t receive the return in my account by the march 26th then give them a call back. She said she had no other info for me.. I file the same status every year from the saw job for 12yr and filed my same to kids every year …I’m totally confused as to what’s going on so I’ve counted this tax return as a loss its not worth stressing over…its bad enough it took 6 days just to get the irs on the phone and they day they finally answer my wait time was 1hr 22min.
Tina
I got accepted on January 31st and I had a bar before. Now I don’t have a bar but it comes up saying my My refund is being processed and date will be posted when available. I need my tax money because I have to get a new motor for my car and my daughter was a preemie so we have a lot of doctor appointments. It have been 5 weeks now and I have just received my state a few days ago and that was only 3 weeks after it was accepted. I can’t even get a hold of anyone.
Eli bond
This is insane i was toldbthe exact same thing as most of tou wtf is going on
Rkeyser70
I received same info. Filed 1/22 accepted 1/23. I have still processing no tax codes, transcripts n/a. Called yesterday and was told to wait 8 weeks from Feb 2nd when it went to still processing. But also
Told that is the amount of time they have to send you a letter, and then could be a wait from there.😡
Brandy
Hi I am in the same situation as you all. I filed on Feb 3 and Irs accepted Feb 3 it’s now March 3rd and I get the same message your refund is still processing.. Tax code 152 I called the Irs and was told 4 different answers finally a lady from Irs says my return is under review which will take about 45 days. I have filed the eic for 20 years and have always had my refund in about a week..Its b.s.
Lola Felona
I filed in January and I’m still waiting. I called the ira and they stated some crap about waiting 60 days for further reviewing and if they needed more info within the 60 days they will notify me. What I’ve come to notice is, people who filed early have some sort of delay meanwhile people who filed and gotten accepted after the 15th of February got theirs right away. It seems like they skipped over the early filers! 😡🤬😡
Charlee Ryan
I filed my taxes later than normal this year I filed through turbo tax around the 20th of February. They were approved the 25th! Awesome! Today March 2nd I got my state refund wow! So I thought they it’s only been a few days but I wonder how my federal refund it going since I haven’t looked since the day they got approved. This is where it begins
I no longer have the Orange progress bar but just a blrb type notice that says
“Your refund is being processed. A refund date will be provided to you when available.”
With a 152 code
Which is utterly useless
So I start looking things up and it gets worse
Apparently the safe bar should say my name ssd filing status AND amount, well my amount is gone.
What is going on? I didn’t file that long ago so I want to say not to worry YET but what is this 152 code that talks about nonsense and why isn’t my refund being processed like normal like every year?!
Jessica
Filed Feb 3 and was accepted Feb 3… it is now March 1st and my refund “is still processing” that’s along with my state taxes. My anxiety is shot up to the ceiling. Everyone I know has already received theirs. It’s ridiculous that they don’t reach out to let you know what’s going on!! Besides really depending on that refund this month, it’s scary sitting around not knowing what’s going on. I’m so upset and frustrated.
Bridgett
I called IRS and they stated that I have to wait an additional 45 days from Feb 14th as well. They started I may or may not receive a letter and if I do just follow the instructions. It takes them no time to take my taxes and forever to receive them. It should be a law against that. This is B.S It’s my money and I want it NOW. 😂😂
Frustrated
I called on Feb 27th and was told my return was under a 45 day review and the review started February 15th. Called back today and asked what was going on and was told that they just received an email that stated the 45 days wouldn’t start until March 5th. Im not sure what is going on was told i had codes on my account but she couldnt tell me what they were I havent recieved a letter or anything. Has anyone else been told this??
Heather
Yeah I am in the same boat filed my the 2nd. Was accepted and submitted to them by the 5th. Call them up and as of the 15th having a review done. This is total and complete bullshit. Why pick some people with the EIC and not all? Its bs to make some wait and not ALL. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Asia George
im in the same boat as all you are. I was accepted on January 31. On Feb 12 it went into still processing and have been like that since. I called the IRS, they told me since I have a small business and the child taxes credit it was understand review, to give it 45 days from Feb 15, which will be around April 1. I dont understand I filed the same stuff every year nothing different
Ashley
I did my taxes on TurboTax on Jan.30 it was excepted the next day. So I kept checking on line it kept saying processing. My mother suggested I call them so that’s exactly what I did. After being bounced around from agent to agent. Someone finally told me it was selected for a random review I guess it’s part of the new 2017-18 tax law. So I’m like okay so what does that mean. The agent said I will be receiving a letter in the mail that states I’ve been selected for a review. She also, said it might take 45-60 days to process. Every week you take my money out my check with no hesitation but, when it comes time to give it back you have an issue.
Steve
If you’ve already got your refund, will you receive additional funds for child credit after the 27th??
Charlie
Dis is bullshit!
Nephew Joseph
I don’t get it. I give money to this guy people call, “Uncle Sam”
He ain’t no kin ta me!
Lol jk
Still processing for me too.
I hope it’s just 21 days and not 45.
Calling tomorrow.