IRS backlogs have been frustrating taxpayers and practitioners alike for the better part of the last two years, but given the circumstances there isn’t a whole lot that can be done. The IRS currently has a backlog of hundreds of thousands amended Form 941 filings as a result of the Employee Retention Credit guidance released in the Summer of 2021. Combine that with a global pandemic, major logistics/supply chain issues and staff shortages and it’s hard to see when the backlog will subside.
The phone service is overwhelmed with wait times in the hours and hundreds of thousands of pieces of unopened mail, leaving taxpayers in the dark about when refunds will be received.
When can ERC refunds be expected?
According to the latest information from the IRS, amended Forms 941 that have already been filed should expect to see a refund somewhere between 6-10 months from filing date. Those that are just filing now or have filed recently may be waiting to see a refund for up to 16 months or more.
Large refunds (over $1 million or higher) could even see further delays due to the additional review required before those refunds can be issued.