With the recent talk of raising the first-time homebuyer’s credit, one important question is still open: why are the current checks taking so long to go through? No one expects the tax credit to be instantaneous, and of course the IRS will need to validate each claim. But reports of delayed tax credits are pouring in — and when the tax credit is a key part of financing a new home, this has people nervous.
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One online commenter complained of a 12-week wait for the check, which hadn’t arrived yet.
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Other commenters are asking when the check will arrive — the answers indicate that it takes ten to twelve weeks, but there’s lots of confusion nonetheless.
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Other estimates for how long the credit takes imply a wait of 12-16 weeks.
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Some people are even less lucky. One of them had to wait fourteen weeks — to find out that he needed to send the IRS more information.
Some people are in no mood to wait for the check. Several states have found a way around this: HUD is starting to lend people money backed by the tax credits, for certain mortgages. And several states have taken matters into their own hands: here is a list of states that lend new homeowners money to tide them over until the tax credit arrives. For many new home buyers, this can be a good way to stay afloat, but in most cases, it’s best not to rely on that tax credit as the only way to close a new home purchase.
Tags: real estate, State Taxes, Tax Credits
This entry was posted on Monday, June 22nd, 2009 at 7:21 pm and is filed under State Taxes.- Unlimited live support.
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This is a great list! It’s good to see how long other people are waiting for these checks.
My husband and I are on our 14th week- so it’s nice to know we aren’t the only ones. We are crossing our fingers that we receive our check tomorrow. (But not holding our breath) LOL
We are on our 15th week of waiting for our tax credit and are told something different each time we call the IRS. If we owe the government money they are on top of it, levying this and levying that so it’s not fair everyone has to wait this long for their money! It’s not helping the economy and people who really need this money to have to stress about when it’s coming.
My Husband and I have been waiting over 20 weeks now and still no check.. Everytime we call it’s something different.. Mostly they say it’s still being processed.. I think this is ashame but what can you do?
We bought a house in april we have been waiting since april 15 and today is Sept 8. Everytime we call well it could take up to such and such time and that we should be recieveing a letter in the mail that was 4weeks ago. We call everyday they tell us the same thing. This is nuts I want my money now!!!
I am currently in my 12th week of waiting for the first time home buyer credit check (purchased a home in June 2009). After calling the IRS twice over a span of 4 weeks I was told it was in process and I should be receiving the check within the next week or so. Then to my surprise one week later, I received an envelope from the IRS wanting further support on the purchase with paperwork saying that once the support is received by the IRS it could take another 4-6 weeks to get the check processed. I have found it frustrating that the information which was requested could have be easily accessed on a county auditor website verifying the purchase which would have taken 5 minutes. After what happened with cash for clunkers it makes me wonder if this is a way to spread out the checks being issued. It definitely makes me nervous for the government and this promise of the tax credit when I know the stack of first-time home buyers tax credit forms are piling up on the IRS’ desks.
I’ve been waiting for four months and just lask week received a letter from the IRS asking for more documentation. I spoke with someone today and she indicated it could take many more months for them to send my credit.
I know how everyone feels i purchased my first home on March 2, it is now October 1, and STILL no check . I had H&R block file my amended return. The irs did send me a letter saying they needed a copy of the settlement statement too. I sent that in a month ago, so i called today and guess what ITS STILL NOT PROCESSED!!!!!!! The lady i spoke with said it could be another 4 to 6 weeks to hear anything!!!!!!!! This is a crock!!!!!!!!!! Im really pi**ed off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve closed on my house may 28th and the irs said they recieved my paper work june 11th i called a few weeks ago and they said they would be sending it the 1st of october and i would get it in the mail the middle of october my boyfriend was gettin anxious and made me call today october 2nd and they said now they need more information and will try and have someone contact me within the next 30th days this is getting ANNOYING!
Did anyone use direct deposit when amending their return? We closed on our house in late may but didn’t amend our return until early September.
Spoke with IRS on Sept. 1st they said I would have a check between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15 but now I get a letter saying my credit is under review and to expect to hear something in 45 days. Are they running out of money? I think they are just buying more time!!
We mailed out our return out july 24th , I called the IRS today Oct. 13th and they said we where approved and the check was mailed and sent back. They had sent it to our old address an now that they have the new address it is going to take another four weeks.
There are several forums/blogs like this, please know you are not alone! Some ppl have been waiting 5 months! I was sent to exams and still havent received the letter asking for more info. crazy!
I am on my 20th week and still no check. I call once a week and keep getting, “Please be patient” speech. We will get to it”. I was also told an examiner would call me to give me a status update. It’s so unbelievably frustrating. I mailed in my additional information in early August and still nothing. I heard it all depends on which IRS office you send your amended return to as well as the tax examiner’s case load that causes long delays. I plan on calling again tomorrow.
So I guess I should not expect it at all. Another Obama Scam! Just a crock of do do. We will be getting no money. Ever, paper work shuffle is just a ploy! They need nothing, just there is no money to send. Face it.
OMG….i thought we were the only ones going through this. My boyfriend and I are on our 20th week and haven’t received anything yet not even a letter requesting more information. After reading everyone’s comments it seems as if we won’t be getting anything for at least 2 - 3 more months. We bought new furniture assuming we would be getting the check within 8 - 12 weeks, but to wait 20 weeks and to keep getting the run around saying that we will get either the refund or a letter requesting information is RIDICULOUS! Has anyone got their check yet and is there anything we can do to speed this up? We desperately need to pay off these credit cards.
Yep, I hear all of you and am in the same boat. I filed almost five months ago and called yet my ninetith call it feels like and they said opps…. we have not even signed your case over yet to an agent so it won’t help if you sent us the information. And the only way I even knew they needed more information is that I called but never received a letter. I have called and called and called for months and I get different answers every time. I am now in default of my loan because I unfortunatly lost my job but when you contact a tax advocate even they take weeks to get back to you. Thanks local government….. I understand the need to verify the information but you can’t find a way to streamline this system better to make it quicker? Come On! Riduculas is putting it mildly…..
Me and my husband have been waiting 21 weeks an haven’t heard anything. NO letter. NO phone call. In fact noone even returns your phone call. When you do actually get to talk to someone they tell you to wait and receive a letter in 30 days…Never seen one. We called back they told us to write a claim in and wait 7 days to assign someone to your case. We called back and after they told us to fax some information they pretend they never spoke with you and want you to repeat the step. RIDICULOUS!!
How can this be legal? Word is going to get around and guess what …ppl are going to think twice about buying a home, and then the market is going to plummet again!
I’ve been waiting 5 months so far. Two months ago my file went to the audit pile. They told me then it could be an additional 4 months before I ever get the letter requesting the HUD form copies.
Has anyone received a CP21B stating they had their account credited and should be receiving their check within two weeks if they haven’t already?
I spoke to a rep earlier this week and he said that they had received my paperwork (HUD1, Recorded Deed, 5405, and 1040X), but didn’t have any info regarding time line other than the 16 weeks. He also stated that there were no letter to go out. So you can imagine my surprise when 3-4 days later I get this letter (which is dated Dec. 21st and I got it out of the mailbox on the Dec. 19th).
I checked my status on where’s my refund and called the number specified on the letter and they both state that, “There is a delay in processing your tax return. For more information, please continue.” I am guessing I have to call and sit on hold again to see if they need anything else.
I read on a couple of other sites that they may request proof that we live here and proof of identity. I did send some back up tax return info from the original return including SSN’s of everyone in the household.
Has ANYONE gotten a check?? And where are you calling. I’ve been waiting 3 months.
We filed Aug. 28th, and as of Friday, Jan. 8th, got a tax advocate that was going to try to expedite things. I called the IRS today, Jan 11th, and was told “we don’t see a release date, but maybe our screen hasn’t caught up with the examination department screen” We should be receiving it by the end of the week according to the tax advocate, but I’m not confident! The number to the examination department is 866-897-0117
I filed for my credit on 9/15/2009, IRS received it 9/18/2009. I’m now sitting at 17 weeks and apparently my paperwork has been sent to Examinations. I have contacted my local senators office and will be returning permission forms to them tomorrow so that they can address the IRS on my behalf. All I have been told is “It’s is in examinations, and that’s all we can tell you”. So we’ll see how much pull a US Senator has with the IRS.
I filed for my credit at the end of May 09. I sent them more paper work in Nov. 09. I just now received a letter saying I will hear something about my return on Feb. 7th. This is insane!!!!
We filed for our credit on August 21, 2009 and was told we’d have the money by Dec. 20th. Now we’re getting the run around. They told me to call back on Jan 20 (which I did) and STILL they had no information and just told me that I should be hearing something soon, and to call back in a week. Luckily we didn’t ‘bank’ on getting this money to help us pay for the house or furniture or anything, but as always… it would be nice to get! The irs told me that they were having to verify EVERYTHING because of the fraud that was going on with people filing on a dog house. Now not only are they dealing with getting the honest people the credit they are dealing with getting paid back from the dishonest people that lied and received 8000 for nothing. I personally think they are ‘floating’ the money. =o(
DO NOT BE FOOLED!
Be prepared to wait 12 months in order to receive this credit after filing! 8 to 12 weeks is a lie!
BE WARNED! The IRS is extremely behind on these filings.
Thanks,
5 months for me and still waiting.
I’ve been waiting 24 weeks so far. A few weeks ago I called the IRS and they said they needed additional information and would be sending me a letter. Then I would need to wait another 6 weeks, but will more likely be 6 months. By the way, the IRS claims they sent out the letter on the 16th - today is the 29th and it has still not arrived.
The IRS received my amended 2008 return on 11/5/09. I called last week and they say that it’s at the Examiner’s office. Not sure what that means, but they said it could take 12-16 weeks total processing time. It doesn’t sound realistic from the comments on this page. I sent my amended return to Fresno, and I hear that it takes the longest from this location.
I have been waitining since June 2, 2009. I keep getting letters requesting more and more information. I have now filled my 2009 tax returns and will get my refund from my regular taxes before this. Amazing!
I have been waiting since April 15, 2009. Obama SCAM ? Contacting my local Senator!
Filed in October. Waited 8 weeks before I started calling. Was told in December I would get a letter asking for HUD1 form and utikity bill. Never received letter since they mailed to my old address. Nevertheless I mailed additional documents on my own. Meantime Jan 4th I get a property tax bill for suplemental taxes due in 30 days. Call IRS hotline again Jan 5th to see if they received HUD1 form yet. They stated they have all the paperwork and will send me a letter in 30 days telling me of their “decision” to grant me the credit. LOL!! This is a load of xz!o! And I hear folks say, well it’s free money!!! No I don’t think so…I would have bought a home regardless of credit, but the promise of a credit by my goverment certainly help motivate me to move faster and the bill I received for more taxes came 30 DAYS after I moved in, it’s not free money, it’s my money. Well Jan 15th, called again and was told that I was still in processing, they gave me a 800# for the EXAM ROOM that no one anwsers. Jan 29, called again, was told someone from exams would call me. No call of course. Feb 2nd, still in process, they said I have to wait until after FEB 5TH to request the help of a tax advocate since I will be at 17 weeks at that point. LOL! Outrageous is all I have say. Meantime my home need repairs and they want more property taxes.
This whole thing seems to be a scam. Bullshit, actually. There is money out there. We are building new stadiums and paying rich athletes and entertainers. Where the hell is our money???
PLEASE…I need hope. Please write if you have recieved yours. I am currently speaking with a “representative” who says my check is still being processed, but will be sent out Feb 12th. I then told him if I dont receive it shorty after that, I will call and I have his name and badge number. Then he put me on hold again to verify a time frame of when I can recieve the check after it is mailed out. He quoted me 2 weeks from Feb 12. I plan on writing back as soon as I get my check, to let everyone know what happened. Good luck to everyone!
It has been 21 weeks since my husband and I filed for our homebuyer credit, and we have yet to receive anything from the IRS in the mail, not even anything saying we’re being audited. I called about 2 weeks ago and they said if we didn’t receive anything in the next 30 days to call back again. I honestly feel like it may never come!
My Husband and I applied for first time home buyers 4 months ago and on the 13th will be 4months and 1 week. It has been taking soooo long but were being patient lol
Received letter from IRS dated Jan 7th that stated I was approved for the credit after the IRS received it on Aug 31st, 2009. Of course had to send in all my proof in November which I was fine with of course because of all the fraudulent returns they have received. To bad we have such dishonest, greedy people in our country but anyway, they told me 6 to 8 weeks to receive it. I’m in week 5 now so I’m hoping the approval letter was accurate. Guess we will see
We bought our fist home in November. My boss dose taxes part time and she told me not to look for a check till maybe some time in September if we are lucky. We should have known this as we are dealing with our goverment. You know they ones that tell one thing and do another.
I’ve emailed 60 Minutes, local news stations, 20/20. I don’t want to see Miley or Brittany or
stories on lost cats, I want to see the IRS explain nationally why these checks are taking 4, 6 months to go out. You can google my name and see that I bought the house. I spoke with someone at IRS Refund hotline today after holding for 45 minutes, that stated he was “un-trained” in dealing with calls regarding the home buyer credit. I asked to be transfered to someone that could give me a current update, 20 more minutes of waiting only to be told to be patient. I’m in “processing”. They received my HUD 1, Deed, utility bills last month. I asked for a tax advocate. They told me “that’s not needed”, that I should here something in 30 days. They’re robots, the magic number is 30!! They’re programmed to tell consumers B.S.
And I’m amazed not one news channel has carried this story…Maybe reporting real news that affects everyday workers is a thing of the past? I’m at 18 weeks now and have decided not to stress myself out any further. Leaking patio, no heat, and all…I’m thankful I have my home and I hope the refund will turn up one day so that I can repair it.
Update from 2/1/10 posting: I called the IRS this morning and they said it’s still in processing. I’m at the end of 16 weeks now. They said to call back next Friday, 3/5/10.
Update from 2/25/10 posting: Called today and the IRS said my amended 2008 return is being audited for the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. The rep was reluctant in giving me a timeframe on when I should receive the letter, but eventually he said in 2 weeks. I have a feeling I will be waiting longer than that.
I’ve posted a few times here…I filed in October…after multiple calls
and finally a tax advocate, I received a letter on Feb 25th stating refund will
be sent in 6-8 weeks. If this rings true, this will put me at just over 6 months.
Though I was frustrated, I was never rude to the some times rude Irs reps.
What would be the point…I did however keep notes of names and ID#’s and the dates
of when I called…time consuming, yes…but I had run out of patience after 3 months of waiting.
Regardless of if you need the rufund now or not, it should not take more than 2-3 months for processing. Buying a home is public record, even without supporting docs, they can google a person’s name and see that they bought a home. Good luck everyone.