Why Is My Tax Refund Delayed in the U.S.? Common Reasons and What You Can Do
Why Is My Tax Refund Delayed in the U.S.? Common Reasons and What You Can Do You filed your tax return, waited patiently... and still no refund. You’re not alone — millions of Americans experience refund delays each year. Here are the most common reasons why your IRS refund may be delayed, and what you can do to check or speed up the process. ๐ 1. Your Return Is Still Processing Even if your return was e-filed, the IRS can take up to 21 days (or longer) to process: During peak season (Feb–April), delays are common Paper returns take much longer ๐งพ 2. Errors or Incomplete Information Simple mistakes can cause red flags: Wrong Social Security Number Incorrect income amounts Missing forms or mismatched info IRS may hold your refund until corrected ๐ง 3. Identity Verification Needed If your return triggered a fraud alert: IRS may require ID verification You’ll receive Letter 5071C, 6331C, or 4883C Refund will be paused until you verify you...