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Level 2
June 24, 2020

Refund not received

  • June 24, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

I am not a regular tax preparer. I work in a nonprofit, but prepare a few returns for friends. I agreed to prepare a 2019 return for someone I know who could not afford to pay a return preparation fee. She only has social security income, but for some reason, she had voluntary withholding on her social security, so I filed the return just to get the withholding amount back. The client said she wanted direct deposit so I entered her account number on the return. She is not well-organized and unbeknownst to her, her bank had closed her account for excessive overdrafts. The return was accepted on May 7, 47 days ago, and she never received a refund. I tried "Where's My Refund" on the IRS website, but it just said that the return was still being processed. I don't believe this, since it has been more than 6 weeks. The client contacted her bank, but they said they couldn't help her. If her direct deposit was rejected, I would think that they would have issued her a paper check by now. I called the refund hotline and the regular IRS number, but they just had automated information. What's next? Should I try to Practitioner Hotline? I know there's a form 3911 - Taxpayer Refund Statement. Is that my next step?

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    2 replies

    Just-Lisa-Now-
    Intuit Community Champion
    June 24, 2020

    Many refunds are delayed.  If you see that its still processing no refund has been issued yet.

    ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥Lisa♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
    qbteachmt
    Level 15
    June 24, 2020

    "I tried "Where's My Refund" on the IRS website, but it just said that the return was still being processed. I don't believe this"

    Why not? That's why they provide that portal.

    And if the amount was sent to that bank account which had an Overdraft condition, the bank would hold that against collection:

    https://www.moneycrashers.com/reasons-irs-seize-tax-refund-money-debt/

     

    Don't yell at us; we're volunteers
    Level 6
    June 26, 2020

    Patience is key followed by paperwork.  I had husband and wife with withholding from their social security-about $4,000.  They received IRS letter requesting info.  They no longer e-file but snail mail file to avoid IRS letters.  No, they still want to over-withhold to save up for their property taxes.

    Alice1Author
    Level 2
    June 29, 2020

    Thanks - this is the same situation - voluntary withholding on Social Security