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.
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(
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!!!!
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.
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
Has ANYONE gotten a check?? And where are you calling. I’ve been waiting 3 months.