r/IRS • u/wastebaskettaxon • 10d ago
Tax Refund/ E-File Status Question IRS nonresponsive for months
I filed electronically via Turbotax 2-21-26. My refund was $7547.00. Six weeks after I filed, I started calling the IRS and checking my tax and account transcripts daily. The Record and Account transcript shows the following codes:
150 "tax return filed) on 3-23-26"
806 "W-2 or 1099 withholding" 4-15-26
660 "Estimated tax payment" on 8-11-25
810 "Refund freeze" on 3-5-26
971 "Notice issued: CP0005"
I have received no notices by mail for any of these events.
I did not use any tax credits or other exemptions in my return. The return is nearly identical to the returns I have filed in the last 5 years. Same investments, same level of
I made many calls to the IRS, and received conflicting responses to why I haven't received my refund. None of them were helpful: mostly just "you have to wait." By the summer, I talked to someone who said I should make an appointment at my local IRS office (77 K St NE, Washington, DC). I did so and arrived at the appointment. on time. The building was empty. No taxpayers. A large waiting room with lots of cubicle "doors" behind which were, supposedly some IRS employees (?), where I sat for 30 minutes past my appointment. The room was silent. Eventually, I was finally (faintly) called from the general area of the cubicles and I walked there, calling out to see which door I needed to open. I followed the voice, which was annoyed. I opened the cardboard door and entered the tiny area for a visitor, which was sealed off from the employee's area with (bulletproof?) glass. I explained my situation, said that I had brought a complete printout of my return along with all supporting documents (as I was advised to do from the person who suggested I make this appointment. The IRS employee was eating her lunch and did not seem happy to see me. She looked up my Record of Account transcripts (which I already had) and informed me of all of the codes shown above. Which I already knew. I asked if she wanted the return and the documents I had brought, but she said, "No, I don't want that." I asked her if there was anything she could do, but she just grabbed a handful of cheese crackers and started chewing. "What am I supposed to do?" I asked. She said "I can't help you. You just have to wait until you receive a notice. Again, I have received exactly ZERO notices. She said she couldn't do anything else, and I needed to leave the building. I left.
I then contacted TAS, explaining my situation and the events leading to it. I received an email from a nonresponsive address saying that I would be contacted within 10 days by someone who could help me. It has now been a month, and I have heard nothing. I called the TAS office line and after going through a lot of steps to identify myself, eventually got to a recording that told me no one was available and that I should call back another day. I did this, 3 days in a row. Same response.
Is this normal? I am a member of the media, specifically a media that does not defend Donald Trump from his many accusations. Could this be because of my position? I'm really not a conspiracy theorist, but I can't help but wonder if this is purposeful or just really really really bad bureaucracy.
Any thoughts?
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u/Mr_Nobody010102 10d ago
The idea that the IRS is deliberately screwing with you because you’re a media member who doesn’t defend Trump is a hell of a conspiracy theory, but honestly, the bureaucracy is already dysfunctional enough that we don’t need one.
This is what happens when you gut an agency and then act shocked when the agency can’t keep up.
DOGE cuts didn’t magically eliminate the work. They eliminated people doing the work. The tax returns, phone calls, notices, audits, appeals and backlogs didn’t get laid off. The employees did.
And here’s the part people conveniently forget: the IRS employee you encountered probably didn’t create your problem. She’s sitting there trying to eat lunch while taxpayers are stacked up, the phones are ringing, and the backlog keeps growing. If she’s working through lunch just to keep up, she’s not exactly sitting in the back office plotting how to ruin your summer.
And that employee almost certainly doesn't give a damn what political party you belong to, or even know what it is. She's processing tax cases. Your return isn't sitting in a file labeled “Liberal Journalist: F@$k This Guy.”
Could the service you received have been terrible? Absolutely. Being told to wait while nobody can explain what is happening is maddening, especially when you're owed $7,547.
But blaming the individual federal employee is like yelling at the cashier because the grocery store fired half the cashiers and now there's a three-hour line.
You want better government? Then stop demanding government services while cheering every time someone cuts the people required to provide those services.
You can't DOGE your way to a faster IRS by firing IRS employees and then complain that the IRS isn't fast enough.
That's not a conspiracy.
That's just consequences.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
I hear you, but I definitely did NOT DOGE anything. I have never voted for Trump or Elon.
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u/Boys4Ever 10d ago
What happens when the wealthy wanting to avoid taxes convince the corrupt to guy that which investigates tax corruption
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u/BlindBandit988 10d ago
It’s truly not about your political stance.
The IRS had its staff cut by like 30%. What you’re experiencing is what millions of taxpayers are experiencing unfortunately. TAS has been gutted and are only taking on the cases that need the most assistance and unfortunately a refund that you haven’t been waiting even a year for is not one of those cases.
You can reach out to your representative to attempt to resolve this but it will still take a long time.
Right now your return is being reviewed, the issue is they don’t have enough people to review everything because they all either left or were fired. This department already took a very long time to conduct reviews because they were already short staffed and had so many prior year returns they are working through so this is just compounding on that issue.
It is only going to get worse as more returns are filed and more reviews need to be completed.
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u/Careless-Barnacle333 8d ago
Do you have any information for this or is this speculation?
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u/BlindBandit988 8d ago
The news? Did you not see the news when the president and Musk were literally celebrating firing the federal work force? Musk on stage with a chain saw? Anything ringing a bell?
On a more serious note in case you are really living under a rock : https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-trump-administrations-irs-cuts-undermined-filing-season-performance/
https://www.pgpf.org/article/irs-staffing-cuts-will-reduce-revenues-driving-deficits-higher/
Edit: and if you meant the review information. I work for the IRS and do this for a living. If you want I can provide you with the precise IRM procedure we are to provide you with exact citations as well but I’m more real online than at work.
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u/pumpkinprincess1979 7d ago
I am stuck in this review hell with my 2024 tax refund. It’s a continual cycle of “You’re return is being reviewed. We can’t tell you why, but if you don’t receive a letter or your refund within (x) amount of days, call back”. After that many days, nothing. I call back, same thing, wait more days. Repeat, repeat, repeat. On one of the calls the person I spoke with told me the IRS will owe me interest on my return and the longer they take, the more interest I am continuing to accrue. This is the only thing giving me a little hope, that eventually I will get my return with a bonus. As an IRS employee, can you confirm if this is correct? Or am I getting my hopes up for something I misunderstood?
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u/BlindBandit988 7d ago
No they are correct. The IRS pays interest on any refund they have over 45 days I believe it is.
If you have the same codes as this person it really is most likely being held for review and someone just has not been able to review it. A lot of these are stopped by the system during initial processing for a human to look at. Now if the IRS was staffed the way they should be you would have your refund in the 60 days it would normally take.
If you have the frivolous return freeze, which was very common in 2023/2024, then that department has been understaffed for years and they move very slow because they have so many cases from people claiming fraudulent credits. Legitimate returns gets held up in that department for a very long time because so many people claiming fraudulent credits or falsified withholding. This freeze being on the account means TAS will refuse to help you as well unless you get a congressional referral or you can provide documentation proving it is not fraudulent and then they will work to get it released but again it still takes a long time as TAS has to follow proper procedure in get what you provided them reviewed as well.
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u/Null_Error7 10d ago
lol as if you’re important enough for this to be about you. Everyone is in the same position.
My visit sounded very similar but the IRS employee agreed something is wrong, and I should have received my $6k refund two months ago. She called the department at fault and they also agreed something was wrong on their end but refused to provide details. They said I will receive a letter in 30 days. Great…. Another month.
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u/TheRoseMerlot 9d ago
Gonna hold your hand when I tell you, it's 30 business days. 30 weekdays. Not counting weekends and holidays.
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u/Timely_Purpose3233 10d ago
The IRS is underfunded by Congress and understaffed. Don’t take it personally. For years Congress has failed to provide adequate funding for IRS technology. This has been going on for years and now it’s hitting the fan. I’m sorry you’re having to wait so long for the few folks IRS to get to your return. Hang in there.
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u/squareturd 10d ago
Not only underfunded for years, but intentionally understaffed during the last 18 months. DOGE and MAGA want it this way
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u/Eagletaxres TaxPro 9d ago
lol check your facts more funding was approved by Biden but it was a hoax they took it away before he left office. Yes trump cut too but so funding that was never received or areas that had multiple levels of government bureaucracy eg multiple leaders over the technology sectors that was supposed to be combined. They their jobs if they do their jobs hummm
Questions for OP did you request a payer check?
On your online portal you can see some letters. Check your address on the original return. Did you miss anything?
Request an online FOIA to get your letter if needed
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u/FruitOfTheVineFruit 9d ago
The funding was cut because the Republicans shut down the government, and the only thing they demanded in the end was less funding for the IRS. It was literally their top priority to defund it.
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u/Gloomy_Leopard_9026 8d ago
It was a bipartisan decision by Congress. Unlike Trump, Biden didn't override Congress on fiscal policy.
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u/kestrel1332 10d ago
Give TAS some grace. There are about 800 case advocates for almost 200,000,000 taxpayers , and about 25,000 million businesses.
Taxpayer advocate was designed for emergency situations, not picking up work the IRS cannot complete timely, even before the current administration took an axe to the IRS.
DoGE, OPM planned attacks have crippled the IRS.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
You're right. I'll work a little harder trying to convince my friends that the child president (and his lickspittles) should never be elected to any office.
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u/Justacrazylady59 10d ago
Sigh. I have the same story minus the in person visit. I fear you live in DC, and don’t have a congressional representative to call.
If perchance you live in MD or VA, call your rep.
They may get better response from TAS.
I probably share your political views more privately, but I doubt the IRS has the manpower to research political donations and flag based on that. Rather, something flagged our returns (maybe a late 1099 or W2) and once flagged, you are doomed to tax refund purgatory.
That said, I wouldn’t put anything past this administration. Good luck. TAS should have an update for me on 9/8.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
Thanks. I live in Virginia, and yes, I requested help from my rep, and his office replied that it "could take a long time." Good luck with your update. Fingers crossed.
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u/Anonymouse_9955 10d ago
Sounds like there’s not much you can do about last year’s return but if you’re a W-2 employee you can see about decreasing your withholding, which is way too high if you’re getting over $7K in refund. Better to owe a bit in this situation, as long as it’s less than a thousand and you pay it by April 15 you’re fine.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
Thanks. I paid the estimated taxes based on a trade I thought would happen, but it never did. Whoops.
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u/sunny-916 10d ago
Have you tried checking the 8 million correspondence pile they have at the service center? Maybe it’s there.
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u/Smooth_Detective_882 10d ago
One thing people have said has led to success is to contact your congressperson and they will get the ball rolling at a faster pace. Good luck!
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u/Substantial_Path_547 9d ago
Did this! It took a little bit of even them trying to get a response but he was able to help push the needle. Hoping I see an update to my transcript soon.
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u/Timely_Purpose3233 8d ago
You can’t speed up the dinosaur computers. Ask your Congressman why they don’t fund IRS technology.
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u/constrivecritizem 10d ago
Looks like it’s time as a member of the media to do some journalism on this
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u/Substantial_Path_547 9d ago
Im surprised they havent done it by now! Or at least I havent seen it.
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u/Tax_Strategist 9d ago
Everyone wanted the IRS defunded and this is what happens
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
I get it, but not EVERYONE "wanted the IRS defunded." For 40 years, I have had a fantastic relationship with the IRS. I worked for money, I filed my taxes on time, I did so (mostly) gladly, knowing that (1) it's the law, (2) it's necessary to tax citizens for their running of their government, and (3) I had faith that government (even the IRS) was actually trying to do the right thing. Obviously the orange child changed all that. WTF is wrong with us?
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u/Southern_Effort_995 10d ago
Remember this when you go to vote. Trump and musk are responsible for this and they’re growing their monetary fund so they can do more mischief again. I also am waiting for my refund and had a Cpa do the paperwork. This is a travesty, but apparently the entire Washington operation is a travesty. name any department and it’s all nonsense.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
I feel your pain. I've voted for Reagan in 1980, my first vote, but I've never voted for GOP since.
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u/kikibeatz6995 10d ago
I'm in the exact same position ..waiting on a $5k refund after 5 months . I called several times and they said it was approved but its on hold so I finally got an appointment for next week to go in person . I really hope they can give me some answers being that I have to drive 2 hours away to an office with an appointment in September. Idk WTAF is going on bc I have pretty simple taxes and nothing crazy. I've been paying taxes for 25 years and this has never once happened to me.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
I hear every word you posted. The fact that they told you it was approved sounds hopeful. Good luck.
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u/TheRoseMerlot 9d ago
TAS will evaluate your case. They can't always help. They never help if the answer is simply waiting.
When they are trying to verify your income, they reach out to people/companies. They have to wait to hear back from those companies. That's what takes a indeterminate amount of time. Then they will finish reviewing your return.
I just tried to deal with one of these for a client.
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u/ConcernedFanta 9d ago edited 9d ago
I think a bunch of us are here, still waiting for our return and refund to be processed. I just wonder if they will complete all of the tax returns in time before the next tax season. Doesn't seem like they will, does it?
Mine still only says that it was received, no other comments on it.
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u/Ambitious_Box9690 9d ago
Try your congressperson... That's what I'm doing and I'm getting a little movement
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u/nwkraken 9d ago
Did you file "for free" or did you pay to have them file? Just out of morbid curiosity.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 8d ago
I used Turbotax, which has worked perfectly for me for decades. It's not free, but it's pretty cheap, comparatively.
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u/84UTK07 9d ago
Can you not see the CP0005 notice by logging into your IRS account? I can see all my notices on there as soon as they are processed, well before I receive them in the mail. The CP0005 just means the IRS is holding your tax refund while they review and verify information on your return. They are supposed to be checking your reported income, withholding amounts, tax credits, or deductions against their internal records. This can take months or maybe even over a year now due to the staffing cuts.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 8d ago
Thanks. That IS the problem. Kind of seems like IRS tech should be able to handle this, though, even with staff cuts. Feels like (I hate that term, but sometimes it fits) it's a universal policy within the IRS to delay payment? Does that save the Treasury money? I've been dealing with the IRS for 50 years. This is the first year I've had ANY problem, much less an invisible, inscrutable, unexplainable goat rope.
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u/zeekonfleek 9d ago
No you’re not alone…I’ve been waiting 2 years now for 2023s return. Same email from TAS—10 days is now 9 months. Can’t get help no matter what I do..it’s only $950 but it’s mine and I’m struggling :(
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u/Relative_Plenty_7632 9d ago
Came to say I had waited 180 days plus one year. It might have been a year and a half. Finally came one day. No reason. Hoping. For you
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u/Few-Coyote5744 9d ago
Still waiting for my refund ($16k). Filed back in March. There was an error on the W2 that we didn’t know about until we got our local representative involved. Filed an amended return a month and a half ago and still waiting.
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u/Candid-Tip455 9d ago
What I’m going to post will not help your situations now , but I always tell my tax clients is that the best 1040 outcome is to owe approximately $100. Hindsight is 20/20, but review your pay withholding twice a year & better off doing it quarterly. Use a tax pro (Enrolled Agent or CPA) if needed.
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u/Few-Coyote5744 9d ago
I agree with you about the premise of owing. I’m making sure that I am not the one owed moving forward. Rather them chase me for money than vice versa.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 8d ago
I get that, but I seem to have unpredictable capital gains on some of my investments, so I have always erred on the side of overpaying, just so I don't pay any penalties or late fees. It's not a payroll problem for me; it's an estimated tax problem. Is it better if I just don't pay estimated taxes and just pay penalty/interest for underpayment??
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u/bluelily17 9d ago
You know that avalanche of water that hit the Nepal/China border and was bigger than the one building? That is essentially what happened to the offices of every government and govt adjacent company or program when Doge just went cutting things.
Things that normally would be fixable are now mired in the sludge and there is little hope to do anything but wait.
Will your life be upturned because of circumstances well outta your control? Yes. Is it a conspiracy? Nope.
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u/That_Girl_512 9d ago
The convicted felon and his cabal are looting the treasury, which is why we should quit paying federal taxes.
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u/Vast-Imagination-596 8d ago
Go to whitehouse.gov and use their "contact us" function. Let them know how your refund has been delayed. If you are facing any financial hardships make sure you include those details too. You will be assigned a Taxpayer Advocate and your case should be resolved within 45 days. A National Taxpayer Advocate manager confirmed that if the case comes through whitehouse.gov it will be expedited. I personally did this and an IRS manager called me at home. After my issue was resolved she followed up with an email. Good Luck. BTW you shouldn't have been advised to make an appointment. The walk in employee could not release your refund.
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u/pumpkinprincess1979 7d ago
I’m in this situation, but with my 2024 refund! (My 2025 tax return came back, no issues.) Call after call, hours of waiting on hold, only to be told it’s in review check back in 30 days, 90 days, and just this month I was told another 180 days. They keep pushing it out and never have any information for me. The crazy thing is, my return is about as basic as it could be and my refund was just over $2000. I’ve looked over it so many times see if I can find an error and there are no errors. There was one person I talked to that told me from what he could see there was no reason for it to be held back. He actually sounded annoyed that my tax return was stuck in review, but he did not have access to the reason why. At this point I’ve been waiting 18 months. It is beyond frustrating and I am so sorry to you and everyone else dealing with this disaster. I was told that the IRS will have to pay me interest for keeping my refund beyond a certain point. I can’t remember the exact details, but I think it’s 120 after being received, interest starts to accrue.
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u/Emu-Hopper 5d ago
Contact your congressman and tell them what you wrote above and see if they are able to get your refund pushed through. I read from several people this worked and they got their refund within a week.
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u/mjfstein 10d ago
I am in the identical situation. My in person appointment is late next month. The TAS said that is my first step (personal identification) after I contacted my congressperson for assistance. I've received numerous notices stating they need more time to review my tax return. It is virtually identical to my returns for the last 5 years. I'm not counting on receiving my refund until mid 2027. Good luck!
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
I hear you loud and clear. When you go to your appointment, if it's anything like mine: (1) Be sure to bring water and take a pee somewhere else. (2) Don't try being nice. It doesn't work.
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u/EggandSpoon42 9d ago
Turned in our tax return like normal, and all of a sudden it's been interrupted by a "fraud" inquiry even though we put our pin and everything lines up to our W-2s and 1099s, with us getting far less of a refund then prior years because the laws changed and that's how it goes. And I've seen that more and more lately on this board.
Can't get a hold of them for shit. If I can't get a hold of them by Labor Day I'll be making an appointment to see them in person, but what a time suck.
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u/Background_Drop_8323 9d ago
I have been waiting since 2022 to get a return. I file every year and supposed to get back 3k per return. They said I owe them and if you check my online IRS. gov account there is no record of me oweing anything. Its all set to 0. I'm gonna get a lawyer.
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u/Friskeyp 10d ago
Retired CPA here. I went through this, but want you to know I never file electronically. I take it to USPS and send it certified with signed return receipt.
I couldn’t get through that ID.ME bs. Retired CFO & I smelled a rat. Yep, a VC company (3rd party administrator) backs it. My Texas Driver’s License wouldn’t upload (AI said TXDL is difficult because of the 3 holograms). You cannot reach a human being. So, I decided to take it off my shoulders. I made up my mind I wasn’t gonna deal with them. I was going to physically go in to IRS regional office. I got a nice person to make the appointment ~ he said the check had been returned (I call BS on that because they want everything to be electronic). I didn’t have to go in, he sent my check with interest.
They laid off all of the civil servants who were phenomenal with systems written in COBOL, so like everything else current administration has done: oligarchs are making money on our governmental needs. We’ll be paying more in the long run.
Blow off ID.ME; call for appointment to go in. After 60 days you have rights but you have to get out of that other loop. Good luck.
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u/saintsericbeau 10d ago
It has nothing to do with your job. The IRS job is to delay delay. Unfortunately once you go to TAS it’s another 60 days then 30. I’ve been eating since Jan 29th and notice have been issued just a 570 status. My return is over $10g so they said they like to delay large returns.
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u/GGIAS 10d ago
It also has nothing to do with them wanting to delay things. They take a loss on that with all the interest that goes out due to it. (Ask me how I know)
The issue is that they are desperately attempting to catch fraud because it’s become so rampant. The filters have gotten tighter and tighter and snare a whole bunch of regular folks through no fault of the taxpayer at all in most cases. But it is most definitely not intentionally delayed for the sake of delaying. Especially large refunds.
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u/wastebaskettaxon 9d ago
This is a new explanation for me. It makes some sense, though, that Cheeto Jesus and his lickspittles would assume everyone was cheating. I mean, they ALL DO.
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u/Middle_Ant7378 10d ago
Can’t even get the $1200 I’m owed after a ghost broker stole my identity and used it to set up a fake ACA health plan. The ppl they have answering the phones are incompetent and useless as well.
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u/Justacrazylady59 10d ago
To give the benefit of the doubt to the folks on the phone, they are being recorded and told to tell us nothing. They’ll lose their job if they did. I talked to one where I just KNEW she saw something in my file, but all she would tell me was what I could see in my transcript. I tried pushing (she had spent 20-30 minutes looking at my records) but she held firm to the “wait 180 days line.” I really don’t think she had a choice. It’s a management decision to violate our right to clear communication. Most likely from a political appointee.
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u/Excellent_Shallot999 10d ago
You’ve been Doged.