Refund Delay for Earned Income and Additional Child Tax Credit Q&A

Income Tax Delay 2017: Refund Delay for Earned Income and Additional Child Tax Credit Q&A

The IRS have recently released more details on the delayed tax filing for EITC and Additional Child Tax Credit.

Tax Refund Delay for EITC and ACTC Question and Answer

Q. Will I get my tax refund back on February 15th if I filed Earned Income or Additional Child Tax Credit? Income Tax Delay 2017
A. No. You cannot expect a tax refund back if you filed EITC or ACTC until February 27th.  (We estimate the 24th per our 2017 Refund Schedule.)

The IRS will begin to release EITC/ACTC refunds starting February 15th, 2017. However, the IRS cautions taxpayers that these refunds likely won’t arrive in bank accounts or debit cards until the week of February 27, 2017 — if there are no processing issues with the tax return and the taxpayer chose direct deposit. This additional period is due to several factors, including banking and financial systems needing time to process deposits.

Q. What can I do if I do not see an update to Where’s My Refund or get my tax refund by February 18th.

A. You may contact the IRS toll free line. 1-800-829-1040

“The IRS will staff its toll-free telephone service Saturday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., callers’ local time, and Monday, Feb. 20, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., callers’ local time. All IRS taxpayer Assistance offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, for Presidents Day.”

Q.What if I had EITC and/or ACTC, but I do not have the PATH message, just stuck in processing?
 
A. This seems to be very common right now, and you are not alone in this. It appears that some of the taxpayers are not receiving the PATH message even if their tax return is delayed until February 15th. The only thing we can recoimend is just to continue to check Where’s My Refund or the IRS2Go app daily.

Q. Why is the tax refund being delayed for EITC and ACTC?

A. EITC and ACTC tax refunds are being delayed to allow for more security and fraud checks by the IRS. Basically to save the government some money.

Beginning in 2017, if you claim the EITC or ACTC on your tax return, the IRS must hold your refund until Feb. 15. This new law requires the IRS to hold the entire refund — even the portion not associated with the EITC or ACTC. Like previous years, some tax refunds may be held if there are questions about the tax return or the IRS needs more information.

Q. Does this impact the timing of the normal Child Tax Credit?

A. We have no official word from the IRS, but we must assume that this will also be delayed.

Q. Will this impact my state refund?

A. This should not impact your state refund because your state and the IRS handle your taxes completely seperate.

Q. I have filed the same child for ten years, why would my tax return be held until February 15th?
A. Everyone who filed the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit. No Exceptions.
 
Q. Will my tax return be delayed if I only filed the Child Tax Credit, not the EITC or ACTC?
A. There are no reported delays for taxpayers only filing Child Tax Credit.
 
Q. What does this image mean?2017 Tax Refund Delay
A. It means that you were approved, but your tax refund is being held until February 15th due to the tax delay.
Q. Does filing more than two children cause my tax return to be delayed?
A. Only if you filed additional child tax credit.
Q. Will it be February 15th for the delay or could it be any earlier?
A. Most likely tax refund will be sent out before February 15th, on the 10th and 13th, is our expectations. There is no guarantee though.
Q. Will the February 15th IRS Tax Delay hold my state tax return?
A. The IRS delay has no impact on state tax returns. This is too totally different governments.

Source. IRS.gov

Do you have other 2017 Tax Season questions? Check out our 2017 Tax Refund Frequently Asked Questions section.

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  1. Ryan G Bartaway April 19, 2020