Tax payers who submitted their tax returns early this year may have to wait a little longer than anticipated to receive their tax refund. The IRS recently announced there are delays in tax refunds this year while they put new anti-fraud measures in place on their computer systems. As of right now, the delays are expected to cost tax payers around a week or longer than the scheduled tax refund dates originally announced by the IRS.
Your Tax Refund May Be Late
The new safeguards put in place by the IRS are designed to better screen tax returns filed electronically and help the IRS combat identity theft fraud and other fraudulent tax refund scams. These thefts cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars each year, and can tie up tax refunds for months while the IRS investigates the fraud.
Who is affected by the tax refund delays?
The IRS is currently stating this is a system wide computer update which affects all tax returns filed before January 26th, regardless of who filed, how they filed, or which type of software they use. What this means to the tax payer is that contacting your accountant of software provider won’t do anything to speed up your return, since this is on the IRS side of the house.
As of right now, the delays are only affecting tax payers who filed their tax returns before January 26, 2012. Taxpayers who filed their returns on or after January 26th should still receive their tax return according to the IRS refund schedule.
What to do if your tax refund is delayed
The first thing to verify your tax return was accepted electronically, and verify the date your tax return was accepted by the IRS. If you filed your tax return manually, then you may or may not be affected since it takes awhile for the IRS to enter the returns into the computer (this is done by hand and can take some time depending on the backlog of returns the IRS is working through).
So far, the IRS has stated this only affects people who used E-file during the first week tax returns were being affected. If the date you filed your tax return is among those affected, then there probably isn’t much you can do except wait it out.
The next thing to do is visit the IRS page, Where’s My Refund page, to verify your tax return will be late. You may also be able to check on your refund date via your tax return software, or your accountant may be able to offer assistance in verifying dates.
If your tax return is being delayed for another reason, then it may be a good idea to contact the IRS. It is possible there was an error in your tax return or there may be another problem holding up your refund.
Photo credit: MoneyBlogNewz
Comments
Great, this helps alot…even tho I efiled on Jan. 30, 2012 this will help me better understand what is going on with the IRS…Thanks!!
Did u get your refund today? I filed 31st still nothing!
The IRS is currently stating this is a system wide computer update which affects all tax returns filed before January 26th, regardless of who filed, how they filed, or which type of software they use. What this means to the tax payer is that contacting your accountant of software provider won’t do anything to speed up your return, since this is on the IRS side of the house.
As of right now, the delays are only affecting tax payers who filed their tax returns before January 26, 2012. Taxpayers who filed their returns on or after January 26th should still receive their tax return according to the IRS refund schedule
I believe all tax returns are affected… I filed mine on January 27th, it got accepted within minutes and I have a delay. Every site I get on it states only if filed prior to January 26th… According to the Refund Cycle Chart I am supposed to have my refund deposited by February 8th and it states February 14th… at times when I go to check it states that they can not find my info… So obviously they still have not completed all of the updates as there is still system glitches going on here..
Did u get your refund today?
I have been told that if you log into your “where’s my refund” more than 3 times a day, then it says they can not find it. I had the same problem alot too. It just gets tired of you checking 100 times a day like i did
You think the IRS would have installed the new computer program way before TAX SEASON!!!!! Wow what a smart one on their half! WOW, LAZY! Not only do we wait til the last minute to do things, we also don’t think ahead! Lets get a round of applause for these people!
I agree this is ridiculous. I efiled on the 22nd of January and was told that I would receive my refund by 2/1. When 2/1 rolled around, the WMR said I would get it by 2/7. Now that its 2/7, the WMR now says if I completed my return accurately, I will receive it within 6 weeks. There is no excuse for this mess that they created that could have definitely been avoided had they decided to do this oh so necessary software upgrade before tax season.
You can’t blame the IRS for not having the updates available. It is the fault of Congress they wait until the last minute every year to approve/extend changes in the tax code. This is exactly why we need to go to some type of straight tax. That way there is no filing for tax returns only filing to pay if you have not paid all of your taxes (self employed, freelance work, other incomes). this would allow us to derease the size of the government and thus help cut spending. \
So you say you won’t get a return that is a good thing actually. You see a tax return means that you gave uncle sam a few bucks to do with what they want then they give it back to you a year later without interest. If this is of no concern to you then why don’t you just lend me the amount of your tax return and I will repay you without interest come early next year.
what about penalties and interest. The irs ***** me on penalties and interest for 5 months on money i didn’t even realized I owed. liberty tax f-uped my 2009 taxes. So if they hold onto my money longer than they say shouldn’t I be rewarded interest. The same interest scale . In my case right now, in a one month time would almost be a couple hundred bucks.)
No nick they should not because if you had had your taxes properly withheld you would not get a refund or pay taxes. You chose to have more withheld in an interest free loan to Uncle Sam.
Exactly but hey…at least they arent them people that say “Lemme borrow 50 bucks” and 2 weeks later “Lemme borrow 10 bucks” u say didnt i just give u money u owe me and they say “Hey um i thought we was friends” lol soon they will be though and idk income tax is fraud
I E-filed on Jan 25 but way after 11 am. Before 11 there’s a delay of 1-2 weeks. I Checked my status and it’s schedule to be deposited when the IRS originally schedule it. Hopefully stay that way.
I efiled on the 19. N no refund yet
I filed and accepted on 1-31 and no info found in the system for me! It used to say the 14th now that’s even gone
I filled and was accepted right away, the first time i checked wmr it said 2-14, but nnow it tells me they cannot give me any info. Wtf…. But reading these posts i see i am not the only one this is happening to. The irs neef to get it together…
I have been told that if you log into your “where’s my refund” more than 3 times a day, then it says they can not find it. I had the same problem alot too. It just gets tired of you checking 100 times a day like i did
Is that true? It happend to me and I was worry all day……..I checked more than three times today…….and I tried it again tonight and it said can not find my information……will it fix itself so I can check it again tomorrow……….please let me know…………Thanks.
I do notice that if I check several times under my husbands social I get that.. But I can put in mine a few times til I get it again… Then the next day I see my status
okey…..it helps……I’ll see what happens tomorrow……..so do you know when I will get my money into my bank of america account…….IRS DD my refund on 02-08-12….and it says I’ll get it before the 13th……anyway thanks again.
I agree with Jarhead, the irs has officially ****** me off with their so called processing delays, why let the irs use our money interest free for a year. i used to be a nice guy and claim zero exemptions on my w-4, well guess what this year its getting changed to 4 exemptions. They aren’t using my money interest free anymore this is crazy, when u count on money to be their and its not. luckily my chase card is interest free for the first year or i would be ******* in having a balance carry over into Feburary and be charged interest
Frack em all. I did 1/17 file – still no refund. I wait wait wait for this government…
Same here…I filed 1/30/12, w/in 15mins @ 4:59pm I received an email that my return was “IN PROCESS”. Then @ 5:14pm I received another email saying my return “WAS ACCEPTED”! My eta for refund was originally 2/8/12. Then “Wheres My Refund” was updated & said I would have my refund no later than 2/14/12. And ever since Thurs or Fri of last week…”Wheres My Refund” cannot give me any info, just a bullsh*t “9001″ error code! WTF? I do my return every year via Turbo Tax (just a simple return)…Never Ever have I had a problem…until now. And it really ****** me off to hear people who filed after me have already received their refunds!
Thats the truth… my husband is overseas with the military and he is repeatedly calling and telling me that someone in his unit got their return and filed after us… REALLY REALLY annoying… I file early to beat the crowds, not get caught up in the procrastination of security updates. BUT, i also have a friend who last year was a victim of the fraud (someone filed taxes in his name and collected his refund) and he had to wait til october to get his return… YUCK
I just want to know if anyone that was suppose to get their refund yesterday has recieved it via DD. Please let me know..
NO!!!!SCHEDULED FOR DD 2/8/2012. NO MONEY IN BANK ACCOUNT.WHERE IS MY REFUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nope…..does anyone know how long do we have to wait to get my refund after IRS sent it out? IRS said they DD my refund 2-08-2012….I should get the refund before or by 2-13-2012…………if not, call them back………………Thanks
I am also curious if ANYONE who was scheduled to get their refund direct deposited yesterday actually got it?
NOPE… not me… My WMR says that is has been deposited, but i have not seen it yet. I called the bank and it wasnt rejected or anything, the bank just says they have not gotten it yet
NOPE. NOTHING!!!!
IF WE OWED THEM MONEY IT WOULD BE
GARNISH WAGES.
If you check the refund status and it gives you a date for the deposit, it clearly says it can take up to 4 days for the bank to ok it if you listen to the entire message. I know we are all waiting, but it does say this info. At least it did on my end. Hope you all receive it soon
I filed on 1/17, accepted on 1/17 and still nothing! I called on Wednesday to speak with someone and he asked if I received a letter, I said no “Oh that is a very good thing, you will get your refund just be patient” I have been patient. I filed early for a reason, I need the thousands of dollars that I am due. My WMR says We have received your refund and it is being processed. It used to have a date now no date!!!!! ugh!
I am in the same boat as you filed on 1/18 and accepted 2 hours later was given a DD date of 2/3 . 2/10.and nothing wmr says within 6 weeks I am outraged. I have bills from Christmas that need payed. I have a bad feeling
My says “Your tax refund was direct deposited on February 8, 2012. If your refund is not credited to your account by February 13, 2012, check with your bank to find out if it has been received. Please wait until February 13, 2012 before you contact us again because we are unable to take any action until then.”
I guess that’s a good thing….right?
Steven, I am hoping this is the case and we will see our money on Monday.
hopefully before Monday………………………..^_^
For anyone who got a DD and your money still just isnt there, you could have had a federal offset… my husband stopped paying his student loan, and they took all of our tax return… here is a number to check 800-304-3107
Mine still says within 6 weeks. They can kiss my ***.
I filed on 1/26 and I have a potetial DD date of 2/14. It was showing that there was no record of my tax return but has sence reverted back. I have a bad feeling!
My return was accepted on Jan 27th and Where’s my refund is still telling me a deposit date of Feb 14th (today) but I haven’t received anything!
Me either! Same deposit date!
So I Filed my return on 2/6/12 it was excepted the same day.
Today is 2/14/12 The Wmr site posted my return is being processed
Then I call the irs..Very nice lady that I waited 21min. For told me it was an
Small error..No worries its something on our end.So try back on the 28th okay
I’m so lost I know there systems have been really jacked up.but to jack up my return is just bogus..i have no kind of error code on my
Status update..But I’ve been looking on other websites
Seems like lots of people got the same msg.So hopefully its just
A system generated msg and it’ll be fixed by Friday 6am….
i also filed mine on feb. 6th got a message the same day and it told me i’d get mine tomorrow. now i go to “where is my refund” and i now have to wait till the 28th. someone reassure me i will get this sometime this week.
Hi Lisa….that happened to 2 of my clients that I filed on Jan. 30th…think it was an IRS computer glitch who knows…but theirs also said few days later they would get it on the 15th….we will wait and see…
I called the IRS and spoke to a lady and she said I was missing information but WMR said nothing of it and on top of that I have a traffic ticket i have to pay before friday and they want me to just wait for it in the mail to come so i can send them additional info that i know i gave them but hey they are the GOV so i guess i cant say crap
hi everyone..its not gonna take long at all they are just giving those stretched out dates to by time but your dd should hit your account a week before the date that they give you..and 2 days prior to the date the state should hit..i filed on 31st and was accepted the wmr site told me 21st and when i called they said still processing..i went back to look at it again and it had changed to the 15th. my state hit the account on monday and today the federal came. so whatever date they give you should get it a week earlier..hope this helps and make alot of yall feel better..when i figured this out last week i felt better..i was comparing the deposits of my coworkers and how they filed and it all worked out..
Just want to give an update regarding my refund…Please keep in mind my return was: E-FILED and refund will be: DIRECT DEPOSIT!!!
* 01/30/12: Date e-filed & the date the IRS accepted my return!
* 02/08/12: Estimated date the “IRS Refund Chart” listed that I would receive my refund (VIA DIRECT DEPOSIT)!
* 02/03/12-2/08/12: For approx 1 week, “Wheres My Refund” said that there was an issue (ERROR CODE 9001) with my return etc. After researching this, I found out that “the 9001 error” was just an issue the IRS was having with the wheres my refund site…and that my return was FINE!
*02/09/12: “Wheres My Refund/9001″ issue corrected and now reflects that I will actaully receive my refund on 02/14/12!
* 02/14/12: To my surprise…I RECEIVED MY REFUND!!!
I know it really sucks but hopefully this helped ease some of your minds. The dates given on the “IRS Tax Refund Scheduled” are by no means accurate, they are just approximate dates (that basically mean nothing)! You cannot go by that EVER! The most accurate info for each individual person would be the date given to you on “Where’s My Refund” after your return is accepted! Good Luck!!!
I filed after 11am on the 1st of this month. Was given a date via the WMR site as 2/14 and 2/15 on the refund chart……… Today there is nothing. -_-
Called the bank and there is nothing pending either.
However, I am relieved to know I am not the only one experiencing this issue. I guess now I just wait
Filed on Feb.1, 2012…dd was today, 15th….Nothing in bank!!!!
Where in the world is our money
I filed on January 31st and received an email from
HR Block telling me that it would be deposited on Feb 13 but I checked
Wheres my refund and it is saying Feb 21st! Please someone tell me that they got theirs early..
I also filed on Feb. 4th and was accepted within minutes. DD was set to be 15th, but WMR cannot give me any information and still no deposit. Called IRS and nice lady said my taxes were in fact accepted but she had no scheduled deposit date and no way to find out when it would be deposited….
My refund date says february 7th. Its the 15th and still no refund. The thing is my expected refund date hasnt changed. Has that happened to anyone else?
I am having the same problem! Filed on 2-2 and was excepted on 2-2. Originally my refund for dd was scheduled for 2-21 but now it says 2-14 and the cycle chart says 2-15. Still nothing tho! It’s very aggravating. Does anyone have a number for the IRS that you can actually talk to a live person because I keep getting the automated message and can’t seem to get a person to talk to! I’d really appreciate it if someone can help me out! Thanks!
I downloaded irs2go app on my smartphone and I put in my info in the WMR and it couldn’t give me any info. They gave me a 800 num w an ext to talk to a real person. I called and waited 17 mins to talk to them and then she put me on hold for another 10 mins to tell me my taxes are in processing. I filed and was accepted Feb 4th and still couldn’t get a date from her or from WMR but she did say it could take up to 3 wks to be processed and DD in my bank. It did say I was suppose to get it yesterday. I know I should just relax and wait but this is rediculous!!!
I filed 2/2/12 very early morning, about an hour later it was accepted. I received my state 2/8/12. According to the refund cycle chart I should have had my check in by yesterday 2/15/12. AND NOTHING!! The WMR gives me an error message, i called the irs yesterday they said it as in fact accepted the 2nd but they had no further information but that they have up to 3 weeks for it to process
VERY HELPFUL.. NOT! I filed with turbo tax and according to them i should be receiving my dd no later then the 23rd.. i guess we will wait and see how true that is!
Mine was accepted feb.5, according to chart should have received feb. 15 wmr says expect by feb 28. Crazy that they don’t even know what is going on. They do but don’t tell.
Our government is failing to do its job, while we pay them to do it!!!
Website says “speak your mind”. Let’em hear it!
There’s a ton of misinformation on this site, this is the worst page I have found for looking for answers. So here’s all the info you guys seem to be missing.
1) The IRS is using two different systems. One that sends direct deposits out on anyday, and one that sends them out on Thursday Night/Friday (usually 12:01 am, although depending on the bank it may take until opening for it to be there).
1A) If you filed, and for whatever reason you got put in the old system you will NOT get your refund on the 15th. You won’t get it on the 14th. You will get it on the 17th. Even though the cycle chart says Wed the 15th, that only applies if you are in the system that actually sends out batches of direct deposit on Wed. The reason the 15th is the date is because that is the new system, which they should’ve switched too completely by now.
2) If you try to check the WMR refund website multiple times in a short period (possibly a max per day) it will lock you out and say it has no information. Just call the WMR hotline number, and you will never be locked out.
3) Just because it says “expect your return by ” that doesn’t mean anything. Until it says “your refund WILL BE DEPOSITED on…” then you can’t start freaking out. Use the cycle chart, and you can guess when you’ll get your DD. The Fri after the Wed it says.
4) If you have funds taken out of your refund it will be a longer delay. The IRS DD the money to the bank of the company that takes their fees, and sends you the rest. Which is most likely going to cause you +1 extra day, except this weekend because you might get +2 more days for the weekend, and +1 more day for Presidents day, but that really depends on the institution.
SO DAVE ON THE EFILE CHART IT SAYS I SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED MINES ALSO BY THE 15TH OF FEB…BUT IRS WMR SAYS I SHOULD RECIEVE MY FUNDS BY FEB 28TH…BUT LIKE YOU AND OTHER TAX PREPARERS SAY FEB 17TH FUNDS MAY BE RELEASED!!
I filled mine the last week of Jan and then a few days later it said I should have it by the 14, now it says 6 wks….why? I called the IRS and they told me I dont owe them anything.
MY TAX REFUND IS 1 MONTH LATE FILED ON JAN.17TH STILL NO FUKN REFUND WHAT IS GOING ON AM I GETTING AUDIT OR WHAT WHAT SHOULD I DO I CHECK WMR EVERYDAY NO DD DATE WTF PEOPLE OBAMA SUKS………….
Early filer what will wmr change to when its pasts 6 weeks for you and me its 4 weeks and we are getting the same 6 week message.I’m guessing their next step is to ask us to mail in our w2s to verify accuracy to further delay.
Filed on 2-2-12. Accepted 2-2-12. Expected DD date 2-14-12. It’s now 2-17-12, nothing in bank, and “Where’s My Refund” still says 2-14-12. Used Turbotax as every year. This is first time I’ve had any problem. Problem isn’t Turbotax, it’s with unconstitutional IRS. If this were me, I’d get charged late fees and penalties. Can we bill the IRS for late payment?
My last post I stated that I called and talked to someone at the IRS cause it didn’t have any info on WMR. The lady I talked to said 3 wks, the site says 10-21 days. Well now when I go to WMR it says March 6th. WTF! I filed and it was accepted by the IRS on Feb 4th. So that is neither 3 wks or 10-21 days. Wahts more aggravating is that my son, his girlfriend, my boyfriend and I all filed from the same computer, the same day and was accepted by the IRS at the same time. We filed maybe 20 mins apart and they got theirs Feb 15th. My boyfriend’s says March 6th too. So I get to move in my new house with no stove and no microwave which means I can’t cook and means more money I have to spend to eat out. This is BS! Anybody get theirs earlier than date stated on their WMR? Hey IRS, next time put your new software in BEFORE tax season starts!
I agree had we owed the government money we could have penalties and garnish wages and who knows what else
I paid to have my taxes done to get them earlier and nothing had i known all this BS i would have filed for free and by snail mail maybe then i woulda had my taxes back so tired of messing with this BS
BTW efiled Feb 3 supposed to get them 7-12 days later the irs said 15th today nothing
I was told to wait 6 wks, finnaly talk to someone and they said i would get it released to me on the 23rd…this is how to talk to a live person at the irs is very easy. when i called their number, i would alway get that prompt and trying to navigate through them was hard. so i read here at some post that you just stay on the line, dont press anything and a person does come and talk to you. so all you do i call them at 1-800-829-1040 and wait, dont press anything. hope that helps u, you will get an operator and she/he will ask how can i direct your call and say I want to talk tosome one about my personal tax return, then you will get transferd and i waited 20 min but finnaly got some help, if you have more question feel free to call me 208-965-5366 Brad
You know what I have discovered. As of Febr 17th, NO ONE I know has received a refund yet. No one. Could be our government doesn’t have the funds yet in their treasury, and are waiting for enough people to pay their OWED taxes to fund those of us that are due a REFUND. Think about it. Ask everyone you know. Has ANYONE received a refund yet??
Every year it’s something new. I’ve just grown accustomed to it, I guess. To all my fellow tax payers out there: you are not alone, I feel your pain, and I only wish you receive your refunds quickly.
and try to focus on something else.
And how come these “glitches” are never in our favor?
What of I told my landlord “I have no information regarding your rent”
For some reason it’s never quite a two-way street: when you owe, you OWE! But when you’re owed, ehhh we’ll get to it when we can…
How come, in past years, when my refund had to through H&R first, because of those pesky RALs and RACs, the money came pretty fast?
I’m not trying to say I’m rolling in money and I could care less when it comes, much to the contrary. I could truly use it right about now. Am I stressed? Yes. But I try to accept that it’s out of my hands, and my bank
Eventually, you will all get your refunds, hopefully sooner than later.
I wish you could all (legitimately) receive more for the time and patience you have spent.
Take care, and when that sunny refund day comes and the bank account has more than 50¢ I’ll let y’all know.
Sincerely,
Refund-Itis
So angry
I Filed on Jan. 30th and was told by turbo tax that my refund was accepted that day. I started checking the irs WMR website and started getting an error code 9001 and to call a number and use ext. 362. I called the first time and after getting through I spoke with a woman who said my file was “under review” this freaked me out. She said it was normal, but it could take up to 30 days to get my refund. I waited another week, did some research online and checked the WMR and still with the 9001 error code. I called for a second time and followed the directions again. This time the woman said that my return was “still processing” and that it could take 7-21 days for this to complete, she also informed me that the irs did not accept/receive my return until Feb. 1st. I have no idea what to think at this point, Im getting different answers from the irs, so obviously they have no idea what is going on and neither do we. This sucks!
I did find one thing that may be helpful to people though, the IRS distributes all their refunds through a bank called Santa Barbara Tax Preparers Group…. Here is their website. http://www.sbtpg.com …you can see if youre refund has been disbursed there.
think they would have updated system before the tac season
I GOT MY REFUND!!!!! *HAPPY DANCE* Thank you guys so much of the information both in the article and from all the commenters. You really helped me and calmed me down.
When did you file??