Tax refund delay: Why it’s taking so long & how to fix it

If you are still waiting on your tax refund, you are not alone. Many taxpayers, including US expats, are experiencing delays, wondering when their refund will arrive.

The IRS states that most refunds are processed within 21 days, but various factors can slow things down.

Some common concerns include:

• Unexpected processing delays despite filing on time
• IRS refund freezes that require additional verification
• Delays caused by tax credits or outstanding debts

This article will explain why tax refunds are delayed, how to track their status, and what steps to take if your refund is significantly delayed.

Common reasons for tax refund delays

1. Errors or missing information

One of the most common reasons for refund delays is errors in the tax return. Even minor mistakes can result in the IRS placing a hold on your return for manual review.

Common errors that trigger delays:

• Mismatched Social Security Number (SSN): If the SSN on your return does not match IRS or Social Security Administration records, processing will be delayed until the issue is resolved.
• Incorrect filing status: If your filing status does not match IRS records or is inconsistent with the information provided on your return, your refund may be held for review.
• Bank account errors: If you provided incorrect direct deposit information, the IRS will attempt to issue a paper check, causing a significant delay.
• Inaccurate income reporting: If the income you reported does not match IRS records (such as W-2s or 1099s reported by your employer), the IRS may take additional time to verify your return.

2. Claiming certain tax credits

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), your refund will be delayed by law. The IRS holds refunds that include these credits until at least mid-February to prevent fraud.

Additionally, other tax credits, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) or Premium Tax Credit, may require additional documentation, slowing down refund processing.

3. IRS review and refund freeze

What is an IRS refund freeze?

An IRS refund freeze occurs when the agency temporarily stops processing a refund to investigate potential errors, fraud, or identity theft concerns.

Understanding IRS Code 810

If you check your IRS tax transcript and see Code 810, it means the IRS has frozen your refund for further review.

This could be due to:

• Identity verification issues
• Suspected fraud or duplicate tax return filings
• Inconsistencies or errors detected in reported income
• Tax return amendments that require additional review
• Adjustments related to tax credits or deductions

How to resolve a refund freeze:

• Check for IRS notices in the mail requesting additional information.
• Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 for clarification.
• If identity verification is required, complete it through the IRS ID.me system as soon as possible.
• After verification, expect a processing delay of 2-4 weeks before the refund is released.

4. Filing method matters

The way you file your return can impact processing times:

• E-file with direct deposit: Generally the fastest option, with refunds processed within 2-3 weeks.
• Paper return with mailed check: Can take up to 12 weeks or longer due to manual processing.
• Filing from overseas: May be flagged for additional fraud prevention checks, adding to processing time.

5. Outstanding debts that offset refunds

If you owe money to the government, your refund may be reduced or withheld entirely. Refunds can be offset to cover:

• Unpaid federal or state taxes
• Defaulted student loans
• Child support arrears
• Overpayments of federal benefits

To check if your refund has been offset, contact the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) at 800-304-3107.

6. Fraud prevention measures

The IRS uses fraud detection tools to identify potential identity theft or fraudulent returns. If your return is flagged, it will be held until the IRS can verify your identity.

If you receive Letter 5071C, follow the instructions to confirm your identity online or by phone. If verification is not completed in time, your refund may be further delayed or even denied.

How to check your tax refund status

Using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool

The IRS offers an online tool to track refund status: Check your refund status Here.

Information required to check your refund:

• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.)
• Exact refund amount from your tax return

State tax refund status

State tax refunds are processed separately from federal refunds.

Each state has its own refund processing timeline and tracking system.

State	Online refund status check	Processing time (E-filed)	Processing time (Paper)	Phone support
Alabama (AL)	Track AL Refund	8-12 weeks	10-16 weeks	334-309-2612
Alaska (AK)	No state income tax	N/A	N/A	N/A
Arizona (AZ)	Track AZ Refund	3-4 weeks	8+ weeks	602-255-3381
Arkansas (AR)	Track AR Refund	6-8 weeks	10+ weeks	501-682-1100
California (CA)	Track CA Refund	2-4 weeks	6-12 weeks	800-852-5711
Colorado (CO)	Track CO Refund	3-4 weeks	6-8 weeks	303-238-7378
Connecticut (CT)	Track CT Refund	10-12 weeks	12+ weeks	860-297-5962
Delaware (DE)	Track DE Refund	4-6 weeks	10-12 weeks	302-577-8200
Florida (FL)	No state income tax	N/A	N/A	N/A
Georgia (GA)	Track GA Refund	6+ weeks	8-12 weeks	877-423-6711
Hawaii (HI)	Track HI Refund	9-10 weeks	12+ weeks	808-587-4242
Idaho (ID)	Track HI Refund	7-8 weeks	10-12 weeks	208-334-7660
Illinois (IL)	Track IL Refund	4-6 weeks	8-12 weeks	800-732-8866
Indiana (IN)	Track IN Refund	3-4 weeks	8-12 weeks	317-232-2240
Iowa (IA)	Track IA Refund	6-8 weeks	10+ weeks	515-281-3114
Kansas (KS)	Track KS Refund	10-14 business days	16-20 weeks	785-368-8222
Kentucky (KY)	Track KY Refund	2-3 weeks	8-12 weeks	502-564-4581
Louisiana (LA)	Track LA Refund	45 days	12-14 weeks	888-829-3071
Maine (ME)	Track ME Refund	4-6 weeks	8-12 weeks	207-624-9784
Maryland (MD)	Track MD Refund	3-4 weeks	8+ weeks	800-638-2937
Massachusetts (MA)	Track MA Refund	4-6 weeks	8+ weeks	617-887-6367
Michigan (MI)	Track MI Refund	2-3 weeks	6-8 weeks	517-636-4486
Minnesota (MN)	Track MN Refund	2-3 weeks	6-8 weeks	651-296-3781
Mississippi (MS)	Track MS Refund	4-6 weeks	8-12 weeks	601-923-7700
Missouri (MO)	Track MO Refund	4-6 weeks	8-12 weeks	573-751-3505
Montana (MT)	Track MT Refund	4-6 weeks	8+ weeks	406-444-6900
Nebraska (NE)	Track NE Refund	15-21 days	6-8 weeks	800-742-7474
Nevada (NV)	No state income tax	N/A	N/A	N/A
New Hampshire (NH)	No state income tax	N/A	N/A	N/A
New Jersey (NJ)	Track NJ Refund	4 weeks	12 weeks	609-292-6400
New York (NY)	Track NY Refund	2-3 weeks	6-8 weeks	518-457-5149
North Carolina (NC)	Track NC Refund	8+ weeks	12+ weeks	877-252-4052
North Dakota (ND)	Track ND Refund	4 weeks	8 weeks	701-328-1242
Ohio (OH)	Track OH Refund	4 weeks	6-8 weeks	800-282-1780
Oregon (OR)	Track OR Refund	4-6 weeks	10+ weeks	503-378-4988
Pennsylvania (PA)	Track PA Refund	4-6 weeks	10+ weeks	717-787-8201
South Carolina (SC)	Track SC Refund	4-6 weeks	8-12 weeks	844-898-8542
Tennessee (TN)	No state income tax	N/A	N/A	N/A
Texas (TX)	No state income tax	N/A	N/A	N/A
Virginia (VA)	Track VA Refund	4 weeks	8+ weeks	804-367-2486
Washington (WA)	No state income tax	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wisconsin (WI)	Track WI Refund	4 weeks	12+ weeks	608-266-8100

What to do if your refund is taking too long

When to contact the IRS

The IRS advises taxpayers to wait at least 21 days after e-filing before contacting them about a delayed refund.

However, you should call if:

• Your “Where’s My Refund?” status has not changed for more than 6 weeks.
• You received an IRS notice requesting additional information and responded, but the refund is still pending.
• You were informed your refund was issued, but you never received it.

Steps to resolve a delayed refund

1. Use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check the latest status.
2. Check for IRS correspondence requesting additional documentation.
3. Verify direct deposit information to ensure the IRS has the correct bank details.
4. Contact the IRS for assistance if the delay exceeds six weeks.

How to avoid future refund delays

• File early to avoid peak tax season processing delays.
• E-file and choose direct deposit for faster refund processing.
• Double-check return details before submitting to prevent errors.
• Keep copies of tax documents in case the IRS requests verification.
• Use a professional tax preparer to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Conclusion

Tax refund delays can be frustrating, but understanding the common causes can help you take proactive steps to resolve them.

Key takeaways

• Refunds may be delayed due to errors, tax credit claims, IRS refund freezes, or outstanding debts.
• The IRS "Where’s My Refund?" tool provides real-time status updates.
• A refund freeze with IRS Code 810 requires identity verification before the IRS releases funds.
• Taxpayers experiencing significant delays should contact the IRS after six weeks for resolution.

If you are still waiting on your refund and need professional assistance, reach out to a tax expert to ensure compliance and prevent further delays.