Taxpayers may face longer waits for their money and a harder time reaching a live agent, according to a report from WSFA. Experts cited by the Alabama news outlet warned that IRS tax refund delays could stretch out this year, and that getting phone or in-person help from the agency may prove more difficult than usual.
The warning matters because a refund is often one of the largest single payments a household receives all year. When that check is late, it can throw off budgets, bill payments, and plans that people had already made around the money.
Why could IRS tax refunds take longer?
WSFA reported that experts expect processing to slow down and customer service to be harder to reach. The report frames this as a caution for filers rather than a fixed, agency-announced timetable. The specific causes behind the slowdown were not detailed in the material available, so treat any single explanation as unconfirmed.
What is clear from the WSFA coverage is the practical takeaway: filers should not assume a refund will arrive on the fastest possible schedule, and they should plan for the possibility of extra wait time before their money lands.
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While the report itself did not lay out a step-by-step fix, the standard steps the IRS recommends still give filers the best shot at avoiding delays:
- File electronically: E-filed returns are generally processed faster than paper returns.
- Choose direct deposit: A refund sent straight to your bank account typically arrives sooner than a mailed paper check.
- Double-check for errors: Mismatched names, wrong Social Security numbers, or math mistakes can trigger manual review and push your refund back.
For example, a filer who e-files an accurate return and picks direct deposit usually sees their refund far sooner than someone who mails a paper return and waits for a check. Because delays can still happen even on a clean return, it is worth filing early rather than close to the deadline.
How do I check my refund status?
Rather than calling and waiting on hold, taxpayers can track their money online. The IRS runs a “Where’s My Refund?” tool at IRS.gov that shows whether a return has been received, approved, and sent. The agency also offers status tracking through its IRS2Go mobile app.
To use the tool, you generally need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. Because phone lines may be busier this year, the online tracker is often the quickest way to get an answer without reaching an agent at all.
What if I can’t reach the IRS by phone?
The WSFA report specifically flagged that IRS help could be harder to reach. If you do need to contact the agency, a few approaches can save frustration:
- Try the online tools first: Many refund and account questions can be answered through your IRS online account without a call.
- Call at off-peak times: Early mornings and midweek days tend to have shorter hold times than Mondays or dates near a filing deadline.
- Have your paperwork ready: Keeping your prior-year return and current filing details on hand helps an agent verify your identity quickly if you do get through.
The exact wait times, staffing levels, and any policy changes behind the warning were not spelled out in the WSFA summary, so filers should watch official IRS updates for firm figures.
What should taxpayers do now?
The core message from the experts quoted by WSFA is one of preparation, not panic. Refunds may still arrive, but the smart move is to build in extra breathing room:
- Don’t spend the refund before it arrives: Avoid committing the money to bills or purchases until it is actually in your account.
- File accurately and early: A clean, early return gives you the best chance of avoiding the longest waits.
- Use IRS.gov for updates: Check refund status and account details online before turning to the phone lines.
For the most reliable information on refund timing and account questions, the IRS directs taxpayers to its official website at IRS.gov. As WSFA’s reporting makes clear, patience and early preparation are the best tools filers have while the agency works through what experts expect to be a slower season.
