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Q&A: Delayed tax refund? Contact your lawmaker

September 29, 2026 By Liz Weston Leave a Comment

Dear Liz: A reader requested advice regarding a delayed tax refund. I had a similar problem a few years ago. The IRS owed me a substantial refund. I tried calling the IRS but couldn’t reach a person.

The automated system insisted my refund had been sent. I wound up calling my congressman’s office. They assigned a field representative to investigate. She was able to contact someone at the IRS who opened an investigation. She periodically followed up and kept me advised by email of her efforts. It took a few months but thanks to her work (and persistence), the IRS finally sent me my refund.

Answer: Thanks for the great tip! Elected representatives’ constituent services teams often can help people resolve issues with government agencies.

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Filed Under: Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: IRS, tax refunds, Taxes

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