Dear Liz: I e-filed my 2025 taxes in early February. About three weeks later, I received a letter from the IRS asking me to verify my identity, which I did.
I am due a $38,142 refund for the 2025 tax year. I’ve been checking my refund status through the IRS’ Where’s My Refund tool as well as calling the toll-free number. All the responses have been along the lines of “we have received your tax return and it is being processed, no further action is needed” and I cannot talk to a live person to get any further information.
As a retiree whose income now comes from Social Security and my state retirement pension, I need that refund and find the six-month delay disappointing. What more can I do?
Answer: Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS that can help when your own efforts haven’t produced results. You can reach the service online at www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.
Your refund may be taking so long to process for a legitimate reason, or the processing system may have failed, says Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting.
The Taxpayer Advocate can try to pinpoint the problem or see whether your return simply slipped through the cracks.
You didn’t mention why you have such a large refund, but it’s best not to let Uncle Sam keep so much of your money if you can avoid it.
A tax pro can help you estimate your likely tax burden and keep you on track so you don’t wind up with a big tax bill or refund. Ideally, you’d consult a pro before the end of the year, when you still have time to make the appropriate adjustments.
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