With the recent talk of raising the first-time homebuyer 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.
- One online commenter complained of a 12-week wait for the check, which hadn’t arrived yet.
- 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.
- Other estimates for how long the credit takes imply a wait of 12-16 weeks.
- 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.
Okay, I may have the longest wait time! We filed an amended return Feb 28, 2010 for the tax credit. 5 weeks later we received a letter saying they needed more info. I knew that was a joke, I was very careful to send more than they required. So, mailed off the 2nd package around April 6. Started calling them in June and was told they had 12-16 weeks to get it to me (counting from the 2nd package, not the 1st!). Called back at the 16 week mark and they said it still hadn’t been processed, no idea why, and now they have 30 days to get back to me on why it is taking so long. And when they do NOT call me back within 30 days (cause who believes that one anymore?!), THEN I can file to have it moved to a different dept. We are now at week 25 and still no phone call, no letter, no direct deposit.
I’d love to know if anyone has contacted their State Rep or Senator and had them get anything done? I need good news…we are struggling here.
My son and his wife filed an amended 2008 return for the first time buyers credit for a home he purchased in July 2009. The amended return was filed in Oct. 2009,, and this is July 7 2010 and they still are getting letters from IRS saying the claim is still under investigation and all of the information that IRS requested was sent in in February 2010 and they have received 2 letters since then saying 30 more days. I am beginning to think something is wrong here! Has anyone else had similiar problem?
I’m at 16 weeks today and still no check I hate the IRS the will hunt you down for $!.00 but when the owe you money they act dumb. I called sat on the phone for 1 hour and was told to call back in a week lame huh
I filed January 25th, was supposed to get my refund direct deposited on March 30th, March 30th I called and all of a sudden it’s in the Error department, I have to wait 3 weeks for a letter. 3 weeks later no letter I call again and now I need a Tax Payer Advocate… Still no word, no letter, no request for information, and no refund. Shoot I just want my NORMAL refund at least! They can hold the dang Tax credit until the fix their dang system!
The IRS is making us all wait because they have no money. It is so easy to tell by the hud one and county office if a home was sold. They are full of …. Our government thinks we are all so stupid and to busy to do anything about this bull crap. Call and email the IRS, your Senator, Congressmen, and any other elected official and make their lives a living hell.