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Patiently (sort of) waiting...
I agree, it isn't fair that the returns filed months after mine are already processed. My advice? Anybody out there that's banking on getting their return in a timely manner or are relying on it to pay a certain bill by a certain date....don't count on it. The 12-16 weeks could easily become 16-20 weeks or 20-24 weeks....you get the point.
It's a good incentive to buy a house, but it makes me uneasy that the government is this inefficient at creating an accurate timeline or project plan. If any of us did our jobs like this on a daily basis....would we still have jobs? I'm just sayin'..... ;-)
It seems like they are randomly choosing who they want to pick on for quality control and fraud prevention. I wouldn't trust any time frame if I were you. It's been 20 weeks for me already and I don't have a check yet. But I live in Cali, so I'm not surprised since we have a lot of new buyers here.
Also, to those of you who received theirs fast, what is the home sales trend in your area? To those that are taking too long, what is the sales trend in your area? This might have something to do with how quickly the return is processed.
With respect to mv's comment: I never thought about it that way but it makes perfect sense. I'm located in California in a high foreclosure area (where here isn't?) and there are a *lot* of FTHBs around here.
The stupid thing (IMO) is that they said "if your address changed, it may take longer." Well, no kidding; it's a homebuyer's credit. Of course our addresses are changing.
Good luck!
Wait, to get the credit you have to have just bought a new house and it has to be your primary residence. So wouldn't everyone who files the amended return have an address change?
I am wondering if the extra long delays (12 weeks plus) are based on individual circumstances? For example, a true first-time buyer vs. a buyer who hasn't owned property in 3 years. I sold a home in '05, so I'm thinking that verifying the sale information - might have something to do with the extra processing time. A co-worker who has never owned property closed 3 weeks after I did and received her check 2 weeks ago, we live in the same state.
I don't think that has anything to do with it at all. I am a "true" first time homebuyer and I have yet to recieve my credit. I'm currently at 21 weeks... I think we unfortunately are all in this shipwrecked boat together!
Question: did anyone do their amended return through turbo tax?? I can't specifically recall changing my address or anything like that...and the turbo tax forms was the only documents I sent in--the only thing I can think of is my address on file (old address) did not match my new home's address....???
DON'T send duplicates even if they tell you to!!
I actually asked the IRS phone person that (one of about 9 I have spoken to during this ordeal). I also told him that I was beginning to wish I'd just waited because it's almost 5 MONTHS since I filed the amended return and if I had known it was going to be like this, I would have waited. His reply was that it would certainly be soon, but that because I bought a duplex with a unit number, there would be more scrutiny because apartment renters were trying to get the credit dishonestly. ??? I assured him that I indeed had a big fat mortgage and offered to have the IRS call me anytime for more info. He said that was impossible because they were too behind. (The others actually had the nerve to tell me they were AHEAD of schedule.) He said there's a lot of fraud being attempted. Here's a link to a great article on the topic: http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/ne...
He ended the call with "Ma'ame, I wish I could afford a house to get such a refund, so you should be happy to wait for free money." Free money my Aunt Fannie.
You can tell they field lots of calls like ours.
Fresno stinks for this credit. My return was sent to Kansas City????? It took so long, that by week 12, the IRS told me to send another amended return. BAD idea. That just screwed up things more.
From reading these posts, I'm beginning to think the lag has more to do with those of us who have previously owned homes years ago compared to those who never have. They seem to get their checks faster.
As for HUD paper work, they don't ask for that up front, so they shouldn't be asking for it 18 weeks into the process. Ugh!!!!
Well, I just called the IRS today and, lo and behold, my check, with interest, is being sent out on in one week!!! So, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Just thought you'd like to know. And it only took a total of 20 weeks. :) They REALLY are behind. The woman I spoke to this time said the IRS was not apprised of just how many amended returns they'd be getting. It's clearing up, however.
PJP
Lawmakers are pushing to revive legislation in the Senate that would almost double an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and expand the program to all borrowers.
Senator Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican, introduced a bill today that would increase the tax credit to $15,000 and remove income and other restrictions on who can qualify, according to his spokeswoman, Sheridan Watson. The Treasury Department declined to comment on the proposal.
Sitting here in breathless anticipation!
I'm beginning to think this $8,000 is like the pegasus, the unicorn or the jackalope -- urban legend!
Also curious: originaly they said they would be direct depositing checks but it looks like everyone above received theirs via mail...is the IRS not dd checks and sending them mail instead?
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June 10, 2009 (Bloomberg) -- Lawmakers are pushing to revive legislation in the Senate that would almost double an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and expand the program to all borrowers.
Senator Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican, introduced a bill today that would increase the tax credit to $15,000 and remove income and other restrictions on who can qualify, according to his spokeswoman, Sheridan Watson. The Treasury Department declined to comment on the proposal.
The legislation, co-sponsored by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, would extend the homebuyer credit to multifamily properties used as the borrower’s primary residence. It would also eliminate income caps of $75,000 and $150,000 on individuals and couples seeking to claim the credit.
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$15,000!!! WOW!!!
It's crazy and stupid. it undermines the whole point of the original stimulus bill.
PJP
PJP
My file was sent for further review but they never requested additional documentation from me, which I thought was strange but oh well....
Goodluck everyone, and yes, be patient. (or at least try..)
April 29, 2009: Sent amended 2008 tax return to IRS.
May 4, 2009: IRS received my amended return.
August 13, 2009: I received amended return back in the mail because I forgot to sign it (still kicking myself...)
August 17, 2009: IRS received 2nd signed copy of amended return and the 16-20 week timer starts over from this date =(.
I live in Washington State and sent my return to IRS in California.
SIGN YOUR RETURNS!!!!!!
It's only three pages.. but there is no place to sign on the first page on form 5405?
Please let me know!
Tks!
I closed on my first home 4/15, sent out my amended return the first week of May, it was recieved on May 19th. I kept checking back in through the IRS website and through the hotline. They kept telling me to wait, because it wasn't showing on the system. (I sent the return confirmed mail, so it got there, they LOST IT" So 8 weeks, 9 weeks and 10 weeks came and went. I finally got to 12 weeks and then they said that they hadn't received it yet so I needed to resubmit. I resubmitted on July 17th, it was recieved July 24th. I keep checking back and intially they told me that it was under evaluation, which was supposed to take up to 45 days, now I'm under review, which could take up to 30 days.... This process that was seemingly "so easy" is turning out to be quite a PAIN! I realize that many people have purchased homes lately, however this process is going slower than a snail.... Hope you all recieve your tax credits soon... GOOD LUCK!
Called tonight at 9:00 and the wait time was only 2-4 minutes. The phone system did not hang up on me and I actually spoke to someone with a personality! If those miracles were not enough I found out the check is supposed to be cut on Oct 2 and I should recieve it within two weeks of that time. Oct 16th for sure! I had given up on that thing..........
If I were you, I'd be more worried about the mortgage company doing a review on you and finding out that you lost your job. They can recall your mortgage because you have no visible means of paying it. And if you say that you were planning on using a tax refund, that won't go over big, believe me. And why should it? When we sign all those legally binding docs (gulp), we all know that we are swearing that all of our assets are true and/or that we will be able to pay back this debt. Losing a job suddenly can be out of your control, but it doesn't matter in the end. In the up market, if you lost your job and you had a great credit score, you could tap into the equity in your home and refinance with no issues. Not the greatest of ideas, but it saved a lot of people while they re-secured their careers. Knowing this from owning other homes in CA (a lot more money involved than here), I know the stress having a mortgage payment can cause when it's too big. That's why, this time around, I opted to go smaller and keep my mortgage, PMI, and taxes each month at the same rate as rent would be for a home similar to mine. That way, I can mentally deal with it better. I qualified for A LOT more house, but, well, we all know where that got us a few years ago as a nation--in the hole we're digging out of now.
And I read several folks here thinking of this money as a done-deal, and having other vital things in their lives depend on it showing up at a certain time. Not a good idea at all, obviously.
This money should be treated mentally as if it does not exist UNTIL YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HANDS. Even then, there are conditions, like not being able to sell the place or live anywhere else for 3 years, or rent it out. I wonder how many of the folks getting this money now even realize that and how many, when they break those conditions, will be getting bills from the IRS for $8,000--plus interest.
I thought long and hard about filing for this credit-will I be able to stay put for 3 years? What if I lose MY job and have to sell, would I be able to give back eight grand just like that? Or, on the other end of the spectrum, say my finance get an unexpected boost and I want to buy another house and live there, and rent this one out? I won't be able to do that for three years.
There is a LOT more to think about with this refund than just how to spend this money. It isn't income, guys, so be prepared to give it back if the conditions don't hold for some of us.
PJP
UPDATE: I just got off the phone with an IRS Agent, today (October 8th) and she verified all my information, AGAIN. She put me on hold. When she got back on the phone, she said that our check will be mailed, on Oct. 16th which is next Friday. I asked her for the whole amount of our tax credit and she said $8,154.00, and she said that it will be mailed by PAPER CHECK. She said that although we filed our 2008 taxes electronically, the IRS does not send the tax credit electronically, but by paper check. She said that the check will be mailed to our new address that was updated in the system, per our request on the 1040X.
Yes my refund was for more than $8000 but I didn't want to look at my account again just to tell a stranger exactly how much it is! It sounds like you're basically calling me a liar. If the IRS isn't doing direct deposit then that's fine with me cause someone just gave me $8000 for free! Maybe the agent you talked to doesn't know what they are talking about. It's okay I know you're jealous!
I got a letter yesterday requesting my HUD-1... sent it confirmed priority mail today... I will be tracking and calling religiously. Wish me luck! Hope you are all close to recieving your credit
I am very sorry that you are in this position... You are completely correct the house is just a house... your son is worth MUCH more than a house, ever could be. I am truly hoping you get the check A.S.A.P... I'll be crossing my fingers for you!
Merry Freakin' Christmas.
Mailed to Fresno May 12
Check received October 13
Five months plus one day.
We'll make it though; just pull in the horns, invest in peanut butter, jelly, vitamin pills and hope for a mild winter. Luckily I'm a retiree, so the mortgage payment, taxes and homeowners policy aren't issues, but car insurance, gasoline, trash pick-up, phone bills, food, and water bills certainly are.
Given the current state of the economy, it's suprising the people who passed tax initiative rebate aren't more interested in seeing that it works. Seems like it's created a new way to get into a financial jam instead of helping people out of one.
My question is, if the IRS if treating so many people like this, why is this not on the news? I think this is more important than balloon boy or whatever other stupid thing that passes for news nowadays!
I also asked if there is a chance of me receiving a check this year, and she flat out said, "Hopefully, you can be approved for an adjustment sometimes in January."
Round 2 of my applications was received by the IRS on May 21. On September 21, I received a letter stating that my application was being examined by another office. This means nothing to me, so I called and asked for an explanation. During all of this, the processing time promised went from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks. I am well beyond that now. After reading several of your posts, I called yesterday and found out that they have sent me a letter requesting additional information (but couldn't tell me what additional information), and that I would receive it within the next 2 weeks. My questions are:
1. After I return the requested documents, how many more months will I have to wait?
2. Why does it take IRS letters 2 weeks via snail mail, but when I send stuff via snail mail, it takes 2-3 days?
3. There are people in my neighborhood who have closed well after me who have already gotten their returns - so the excuse that the applications go to different offices means nothing to me. What is the real deal?
4. Is there a formal place (ie - website, email address, snail mail address, hotline, etc.) where we can submit official complaints such as this?
I find it unacceptable that I was promised 6-8 weeks, and that was 8 months ago. What is promised should be delivered - if you're incapable of delivering, don't make a promise. 8 months. Ridiculous.
Thanks for the help.