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Causes for Delays in Refunds from the IRS
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Several factors may delay the processing of a refund or affect its amount during a typical tax year, including the following:

  1. Claiming Credits Covered Under the PATH Act of 2015: Refunds may be delayed for taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). For more details, see "Refund Delays for Those Claiming EITC and ACTC."

  2. Outstanding Taxes or Debts: Refunds may be offset if the taxpayer owes back taxes, whether individual or business-related.

  3. Delinquent Child Support: Refunds may be reduced or offset for taxpayers who owe overdue child support.

  4. Federal Debts: If the taxpayer has delinquent federal debts, such as unpaid student loans, the refund may be offset.

  5. Name and Social Security Number Mismatch: If the last name and Social Security number of the primary taxpayer do not match the prior year's return, there will be a delay of at least one week while the information is re-matched. (Use the name exactly as it appears on the mailing label of the tax package.)

  6. Estimated Tax Payments Discrepancy: If the Estimated Tax payments reported on the return do not match those recorded in the IRS Master File, the return may be delayed. This issue may arise if:

    • The spouse made separate Estimated Tax payments but filed a joint return (or vice versa), or
    • The return was filed before the last Estimated Tax payment was credited to the account.

  7. Schedule E Issues: If the taxpayer claims a deduction for a questionable tax shelter on Schedule E (Supplemental Income and Loss), it may cause delays.

  8. Unallowable Deductions: Refunds may be delayed or reduced if the taxpayer claims deductions that are clearly unallowable.

  9. First-Time Filers: A taxpayer who has not filed a tax return as either a primary or secondary filer in the previous ten years is considered a first-time filer, and this can lead to delays.

  10. Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation): If Form 8379 is attached, the IRS will require approximately 14 weeks (or 11 weeks if filed electronically) to process the form, according to the instructions for Form 8379.


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