Refund taking an unusually long time to process

[TaxPanda]

The refund for one particular client is taking unusually long to process. She is claiming Head of Household with a child dependent, gets an Earned Income Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit. The return was filed and accepted on January 28, 2019. Other clients with similar returns have already received their refunds. There are no mistakes on the return.  Is anyone else seeing this issue with IRS?  I understand that returns with the EIC etc., did not start processing until 2/15.

[IRonMaN · Accepted solution]

Unless someone's refund doesn't show up after a long, long time, I don't ever hear how fast or slow client refunds are coming through.  Have you checked the IRS site to review the status using "where's my refund"?

[TaxPanda]

I have. The return shows as "Processing", but without the usual colored graph that shows with other clients. It seems unusual. But this is the IRS we're dealing with after all.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Returns that get sent on the first few opening days seem to commonly get hung up in processing longer than those filed after the first few days....I never file a client return that first 4 days.

[gk624]

TaxPanda: It looks like your cleint's tax return was selected for further review & probably sitting on an agent's desk.  

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Some just take longer than others...if you ever go look at the TurboTax boards, this is a common complaint over there. 

I had a return with EIC and ACTC I filed on the 13th and they had their refund direct deposited on the 20th, the Where's My refund website showed it wouldn't even be issued until the 22nd....so I have no clue what IRS is doing over there!

[TaxPanda]

Thanks, Lisa.  Yeah...who knows what's going on. Between the government shutdown and the IRS trying to update their software to comply with the newest tax laws, it's going to be an interesting tax season!

[IRonMaN]

"it's going to be an interesting tax season!"
It already is

[Terry53029]

The IRS started a new program this year "Taxpayer Protection Program" designed to help prevent fraud. the IRS will send out a letter (5071c) to verify ID on some tax returns. If taxpayer does not respond the IRS will flip return to IRS check in snail mail.

[The-Tax-Lady]

I was notified yesterday, by the bank that handles my Bank Product clients, to expect the first major IRS funding to come through next week. None of my 2/15 EIC/CTC holds have been refunded yet.