It's a new year, but many of the same old problems remain when it comes to tax filing.
A month after the IRS started processing returns, complaints are already coming in about late refunds.
Heather Niehaus is a busy mom of a 2-year-old girl, and every dollar counts at her home.
So she filed her taxes as soon as she could this year.
"I was an early filer," she said. "I filed online at the end of January as soon as I got my W2."
But a month and a half later, she hasn't seen anything yet.
Reasons for delays
The IRS got a late start processing returns this year due to the early January stimulus checks and did not start taking returns until February.
But even with that, Niehaus said her refund is now four weeks late.
"It got accepted by the IRS on the 12th of February when they got my return," she said. "But I still haven't gotten mine back."
The Government Accounting Office (GAO) is warningof several issues right now, that could mean late refunds.
1. It turns out that many of the pandemic staffing issues that hit the IRS hard last year are still not resolved; pandemic-related staffing shortages remain, and employees are still working from home.
2. With another round of stimulus checks now being sent, the agency is again being flooded by thousands of daily phone calls. So the IRS is trying to juggle multiple jobs at once.
3. The IRS reports continued mail delays, and leftover returns from last year still tying up the IRS computer systems.
4. If you claimed a stimulus check (either $1,200 or $600), the IRS needs to take an extra look at your return, to make sure you are not "double dipping" and getting that stimulus twice. That can add a few weeks to your refund.
5. If you collected unemployment benefits, the IRS must have a state report on how much you received. The agency says some of those state reports are late.
What you can do
Forbes magazine says to increase your chance of getting a refund quickly:
- File as soon as possible, and do not wait until April.
- File electronically.
- Request direct deposit of your refund.
- Check the Where's my Refund feature frequently. (You can try calling the IRS at 800-829-1040, but getting through in recent months has been next to impossible.)
For Niehaus, though, it's all a lesson in frustration.
"It still says it's processing," she said. "And they said possibly it could be another two weeks."
Bottom line: Get those returns done soon, so you don't waste your money.
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