Your Tax Return Is Still Being Processed (All You Need To Know)

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Why is your tax return still processing?

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Your Tax Return Is Still Being Processed

Are you wondering why your tax return is still being processed?

If you’re still waiting for your tax refund, it may be caused by the significant backlog that the IRS had to deal with.

In general though, most people will receive their tax refund within 21 days if they have filed their return electronically.

However, in case you have not received your tax refund and your tax return is still being processed, it may be caused by the IRS processing delays (as it was warned).

Keep reading as I will provide you with common reasons why there may be a delay in the processing of your tax return.

I’ll also tell you how you can get your tax return much faster!!

Why Your Tax Refund Can Be Delayed

If you have not received your tax refund, it’s because the IRS is still processing your request or there may be a particular reason why it’s taking longer.

Here are some of the common reasons why your tax return may be delayed:

• Your tax return was incomplete
• You have missing information in your return
• The IRS intends to do an additional review of your file
• The IRS is assessing potential security issues (identity theft or fraud for example)

Other reasons may be that you have a claim for an earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit that must be processed.

Also, if you have filed Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation), you can expect longer processing delays that can go up to 14 weeks.

How Do I Check The Status of My Tax Refund

You can check the status of your tax refund by accessing an online tool offered by the IRS called Where’s My Refund?

The easiest and fastest way you can check the status of your tax refund is to look up the status of your filing through the Where’s My Refund tool.

If you’ve filed your tax return online, you can expect to already start seeing the status of your return within twenty-four hours.

On the other hand, if you filed your tax return by mailing it in, you can expect to see the status of your refund within four weeks.

To use the Where’s My Refund tool, here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

• Go to Where’s My Refund? (you can also go use the IRS app called IRS2Go
• You will need your Social Security Number, filing status, and the exact refund amount
• Click on “Check My Refund Status” and provide the information needed
• View your tax return status 

The different filing statuses that you may encounter are “Received”, “Approved” or “Sent”.

Received means that your request is being processed.

Approved means that your request and refund amount has been approved.

Sent means that your refund check was sent or direct deposit sent to your bank

How Can I Get My Tax Refund Faster

What can you do to get your tax refund faster?

First, it’s important to note that if you have already filed your income tax return, you’ll need to be patient and wait for your refund to come.

There’s really nothing else you can to do expedite the processing of your return.

However, if you have not filed your income tax return, you can do a few things to help speed things up.

Here are a few things you can do to speed up the process so you can have the tax refund hit your account as soon as possible:

• Submit your tax return electronically 
• Provide your bank information to the IRS so you can get your refund through direct deposit 
• Make sure that you do not have any errors in your tax return before filing 

Here are a few tips and suggestions given by the IRS to help you get your return faster:

• Make sure you provide your correct civil status (example, married, single, widow, widower, etc)
• Make sure to report all your taxable income on your return
• If you received unemployment compensation, include them in your return
• Make sure that you have not made data entry mistakes
• Answer all the virtual currency questions 
• Make sure you sign and date your tax return 

Your Tax Return Is Still Being Processed FAQs

Let’s look at a few common questions asked related to the meaning of “your tax return is still being processed”. 

Can You Call the IRS to Check Your Refund Status?

Yes, in some cases, it may be advisable to call the IRS.

The IRS recommends that taxpayers only called them when:

• It’s been more than 21 days since they have electronically filed their return
• It’s been more than 6 weeks since they have filed their paper tax return
• A message appears on the Where’s My Refund? tool asking the taxpayer to call the IRS

To call the IRS, you can reach them at 1-800-829-1040.

If you do not meet the above conditions, you may not get any value in calling the IRS as their customer service representative will not have any further information to offer you.

Also, be prepared to stay online for a long time before someone answers your call.

As a result, make sure you call when you have a few hours of free time ahead of you.

When Should I Call The IRS To Get The Status of My Return?

You can call the IRS to get the status of your tax return only when it’s been more than 21 days since you have filed your income tax return electronically.

If you have filed your return in paper format, you should wait at least 6 weeks before you call the IRS.

If you call prior to 21 days (or 6 weeks), the IRS representative will not have any filing status information to share with you.

During this time, you can use the Where’s My Refund? tool to verify the status of your return online.

If there are any updates on your file, you will be able to see them online.

How Can I Expedite My Tax Refund Processing?

The fastest and most effective way of getting your tax refund is to file your income tax electronically.

By filing electronically, you can expect to receive your refund within 21 days as it is claimed by the IRS.

If you want to make sure you expedite the processing of your request, use the e-filing services to submit your income tax return electronically and provide the IRS with your direct deposit information so you get paid faster.

What Are The Reasons My Tax Refund Processing Is Delayed?

Here are the most common reasons why your tax refund processing are delayed:

• Due to IRS backlog
• Your tax return includes errors
• Your tax return Is incomplete
• Your tax return needs further review 
• Due to suspicions of identity theft or fraud
• Your tax return includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit
• Your tax return consists of a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process

How Can I Contact The IRS?

You can call the IRS using their toll-free line at 1-800-829-1040.

However, be prepared to stay on the line for a long time before your call is answered.

Also, according to the Taxpayer Advocate, it appears that only 1 in 9 calls are answered by the IRS.

This means that 8 out of 9 callers will not even get through to the IRS.

Will The IRS Pay Me Interest on Late Refunds?

Typically, the IRS has administrative delays of 45 days to issue your refund without having to pay you any interest.

However, if they exceed their administrative delays, the IRS may owe you interest on your refund.

Your Tax Return Is Still Being Processed Takeaways 

So there you have it folks!

According to the IRS, most tax refunds are issued within 21 calendar days from the moment you have filed your electronic tax return.

If you have not received your tax refund within this timeline, there may be a reason why there’s a delay.

There may be a variety of reasons for the IRS delay but the common ones are:

• Your tax return included errors
• Your tax return is incomplete
• Your return has been flagged for identity theft or fraud
• Your return includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or an Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) your return will be delayed. 

If your refund is delayed is does not automatically mean that you’re being selected for an audit. 

Should the IRS need more information from you to process your return, they will contact you by mail. 
Now that you know the your tax return is still being processed meaning, the common causes for the delay, how you can check the status of your return, and how you can expedite your tax return processing, good luck with your income tax refund!

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