Tax refunds

[April7901]

I filed Feb.1, having.g the same problem.

IRS was not accepting tax returns filed with Education credits until February 14th. So you may have filled out the forms before then, but IRS did not receive your return until the 14th.

 

[April7901]

Still in limbo. Call HRBlock this morning. The woman would not/could not tell me anything. I was asking for a refund for the $282 that I paid them. The only thing she would tell me was to go to the IRS website.

The problem is not with Block, nor did they create the problem. They can't tell you anything because there's nothing to tell from their end. All they know is exactly what you can see on the IRS website.

They're not going to refund your money - because the problem is not one that they created or have any type of control over. It's IRS.

 

[April7901]

So, here's what we were told over the last few days - "TW" is specific to our tax prep software, but the issue is the same for all the returns:

The IRS is processing them but slowly. I also had a conversation with TaxWise Friday on this issue. They did have an issue as it relates to answering Questions 25 and 26 on page 2 of the 8863. Software was programmed to the effect that if 25 and 26 were not answered then IRS would assume the answer is no. That’s not the case. TW made a change in Version 7 delivered Feb 21st that requires the preparer to address the fields and not leave them blank. Some taxpayers are receiving a letter from IRS requesting a copy of page 2 of the 8863 be mailed with a copy of the IRS letter. In these instances the return is already accepted and cannot be e-filed again. If the return was rejected and the e-file recreated with Version 7 then the preparers will not see any issues.

If clients receive a letter from a taxpayer, the sites need to print page 2 of the 8863, provide them to the taxpayers who receives the letter and ask them to mail it back along with a copy of the IRS letter."

So, no real helpful info here, but it does give you an idea of what's been going on. It's a mess, but it's caused by IRS, not preparers or software providers.

 

[OHJulie]

There is a news story that H&R block had an error on the Education Credit form and that 600,000 returns that they handled are delayed.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100547218

 

[dhuba]

I finally got an email from HRB stating that the IRS is processing the returns and it could be 4-6 weeks and that there is nothing we have to do. It sure took them long enough to send that out.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

I heard from my H R Block office yesterday afternoon. They have spoken to the IRS and our taxes are now out of the errors pile and back in the processing pile. They told her we should expect our refund within 2-3 weeks. She told us to assume 4-6 as a worst case scenario. I called my sons University that he will be heading to this fall. We had completed the FAFSA already (manually). My son has been chosen to have a student verification done which requires my transcripts. His University is allowing us to send in copies of our taxes along with a letter explaining the situation. I am grateful, but still frustrated. What about all the other colleges/Universities that will not allow this???

 

[debbiecarr98]

I finally got an email from HRB stating that the IRS is processing the returns and it could be 4-6 weeks and that there is nothing we have to do. It sure took them long enough to send that out.

me too, just got it early this morning.

 

[KimL141]

Just wanted to add my situation to this. I filed through HR block with Ed credits. I got the letter on Friday, but didn't finally have time to sit on the phone for almost 2 hours until today. I found out that they were able to correct my file and I can expect my return on Monday.

 

[disneygoof]

...my status results window changed to add a link that says "read the following information related to your tax status" and the information mentions form 8888 for direct deposit.

I looked over my form and there is a box to enter direct deposit info and it is filled in accurately. Does anyone know if there is a second form that must be filled out? Has anyone else had this happen and it affected/didn't affect their return?

Thanks.

 

[debbiecarr98]

I called H&R Block today to see if they had any new information. He said the owner had talked to the IRS and was assured that the problem had been corrected and that I should have my refund in 1-2 weeks. He said if I dont have it by next Thurs to call back.

 

[April7901]

...my status results window changed to add a link that says "read the following information related to your tax status" and the information mentions form 8888 for direct deposit.

I looked over my form and there is a box to enter direct deposit info and it is filled in accurately. Does anyone know if there is a second form that must be filled out? Has anyone else had this happen and it affected/didn't affect their return?

Thanks.

Form 8888 is used to split the refund - and is only required if you want to put part of your refund in one place, and part in another, OR if you wanted to buy savings bonds with part of your refund.

If you only used one account for the entire refund, Form 8888 is not required.

That, honestly, sounds kinda strange to me. Is there a number to call about it? I'd be on the phone. There have been isolated issues with unscrupulous preparers adding the form to skim off refunds.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I checked yesterday morning, only to find that ours had been sitting in the bank for about a week already. It was a really fast turnaround on that, maybe 2 weeks before getting the refund deposited.

 

[sammielynn]

I finally got an email from HRB stating that the IRS is processing the returns and it could be 4-6 weeks and that there is nothing we have to do. It sure took them long enough to send that out.

Unless I have something in the mail at home (been out of town all week) I have gotten no notification at all. I have been checking my e-mail daily.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

I'm thinking we are getting closer to a refund. Today at lunch I was finally able to order my transcripts. I've tried to order them the last few weeks but have been unable to. It told me taxes have been completed. Fingers crossed!!!! Maybe I'll wake up and have a date.

 

[goofyfigment]

I'm thinking we are getting closer to a refund. Today at lunch I was finally able to order my transcripts. I've tried to order them the last few weeks but have been unable to. It told me taxes have been completed. Fingers crossed!!!! Maybe I'll wake up and have a date.

Fingers crossed you have been waiting so long

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

Fingers crossed you have been waiting so long

Thank you! It's been frustrating. I've tried to stay positive, but it's not always easy.

 

[sammielynn]

The problem is not with Block, nor did they create the problem. They can't tell you anything because there's nothing to tell from their end. All they know is exactly what you can see on the IRS website.

They're not going to refund your money - because the problem is not one that they created or have any type of control over. It's IRS.

I don't know where you got your info but this is what I found:

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2961742.shtml?cat=565
Here is the first paragraph - H&R Block, the nation's largest tax preparer, admits it made a mistake related to Form 8863 for the educational tax credit. This affects some 600,000 customers who filed between February 14 and February 22.

 

[April7901]

I don't know where you got your info but this is what I found:

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2961742.shtml?cat=565
Here is the first paragraph - H&R Block, the nation's largest tax preparer, admits it made a mistake related to Form 8863 for the educational tax credit. This affects some 600,000 customers who filed between February 14 and February 22.

My info comes from first-hand experience with my VITA program (I've got at least 50 clients in the exact same situation - and I do NOT use H&R Block software), Tax Analysts' daily newsletter (http://www.taxanalysts.com/), and directly from the IRS branch that we work with (SPEC - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/partnering_to_deliver_free_tax_services_extrnl.pdf).

Block may have caused their own problem, but the reality is that the problem is much, much bigger than Block - and other software providers are having the same problem. Given that - I still say that Block (and mind you, I really dislike H&R Block) shouldn't be taking the primary fall for this.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

Well it finally happened......we finally were given a DDD for this week. Here is to hoping that the rest of the limbo returns finish up quickly!

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

Nope - as of 5 minutes ago, still nothing. No direct deposit date, no pending deposit in my account....

Was wondering if you have gotten your DDD yet? Hoping that you have since your cruise payment is due soon. Wishing you nothing but the best!