Receiving the First Time Homebuyer Credit
Although receiving the first-time homebuyer tax credit initially took six weeks to receive, many customers have had problems receiving their credit from the IRS. As evidenced by the six hundred comments below, many have not been thrilled with the process, even those who filed the paperwork correctly and legitimately should receive the credit.
For those of you who have filed or are planning to file an amended income tax return (form 1040X) to receive the (up to) $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit this year rather than waiting for next year, there is some good news.
Although the IRS is more than likely overwhelmed, the refunds initially took six to eight weeks to receive. Here is an early comment from a Consumerism Commentary reader:
Just wanted to let you know that I received my $8,000 (plus interest) from my 1040X by mail yesterday. I mailed my amended return around June 25, so I feel the turnaround was very acceptable. Even though our original refund came by direct deposit, this one came by check; I don’t know why.
There are a few interesting notes to take away from Kimberly’s experience.
The IRS is providing interest payments as if they owed money to the taxpayer since April 15. This is the normal case when the IRS underpays a refund. It’s good to see they are providing interest in the same manner here even though the law was not created until after many people had filed their 2008 tax returns.
Six weeks is a reasonable time frame to expect your credit. Many people I’ve spoken with expected the credits to take much longer, prompting some to suggest waiting until the 2009 income tax return is due. I see no reason to wait that long. Plus, it’s unlikely you’ll receive interest if you wait until April 2010.
Keep in mind that if your paperwork requires manual intervention, like an address change, or if the information you provide does not match what the IRS has on file, your credit could take longer to receive.
The refunds are sent by paper check. I warned of this in earlier articles. Even though you may have designated a bank account for direct deposit when you filed your original tax return, the IRS is sending the refunds through the U.S. Postal Service as if we were still living in the twentieth century.
Have you received your first-time homebuyer tax credit yet? How long did it take?
Article comments
My husband & I lived his great-grandmother’s house for years. This home sits on a large piece of land, so when we bought a double wide, we just put it behind the old house. Because our “mailing address” did not change, our return was “red-flagged”. It’s been 3 years now and we’ve still not received our $6100.00, but I do get a lovely letter every month asking us to please continue to be patient, because they are so overburdened at this time they’ve still not had an opportunity to fully investigate our claim. …I guess the IRS is unfamiliar with the term “mobile-home”. Maybe FEMA could help them understand…
…interest, huh? hmmmm
Good luck folks. The IRS definition for a “First Time Homebuyer” leaves much to be desired and I initially thought that I did not qualifiy for the Credit on my 2009 tax return for the home that I purchased in 2009. After deligent research I determined that I did, in fact, qualify for the Credit. I submitted an amended return April 16, 2010; then the fun began. Going it on my own; then the Tax Advocate; then the Mediation…enough to pull your hair out. Finally, after 18 months (October, 2011), the Mediator agreed that I had supplied enough proof to qualify me for the Credit. He stated, “I would like to thank you Mr. blah for providing me with the most documentation that I have ever received.” a little sarcasm but jokingly. I sent him almost a ream of paper (faxed)(at one time). He then said that he was allowing my claim for the First Time Homebuyer Credit. Then he said that it would take 2 to 4 months to process the payment. I didn’t need to pull my hair out at that time…it just fell out.
Nov 2, 2011
Going on 12 months.
We closed Aug 31, 2010, filed a 2009 amended return in November 2010. Received a letter of denial some 15 days letter, as if it was the default mailer. Hired a CPA Attorney and it is now November 2011. We have gotten the runaround. Ever 45 days they send a letter stating they have a heavy workload or they are still verifying information. Then get this, they send a letter in September 2011 asking for another signed amended return with HUD 1 copy…the documents that originally initiated this entire ordeal. WHAT??#$ How else would they know I filed for the credit had they not received the documents asking for the credit? I’m no Socrates, but there is a puzzle piece missing.
I guess I’m at least going on 12 months of interest. Fortunately, we don’t need the money to pay any current bills, but I would rather be told I will get it in exactly 18 months, then an odd run around where I’m not sure what the problem is.
Is the problem a verification issue, is it a heavy workload problem, have they been told to only send 5 credits in a month? What?
Well after reading all the comments here, I was quite nervous I may never see my credit! I don’t know how I got so lucky especially when I was told it could take up to 16 weeks. I closed in April 2010, sent in my tax return at the end of May 2011 (extension was filed) and received my direct deposit 3 weeks later! 3 weeks!!!!…1st time the IRS has ever came through for me…oh yeah and I did say a little prayer…I needed that money!
I am having a terrible time with receiving the tax credit also. I purchased my first home in June 2010 and filed an amended return the following month. I got a letter from the IRS a few months later stating they needed my driver’s license, a mortgage statement, copies of my bank statements, copies of my car registration, HUD settlement statement, contract for purchase, and they also wanted my first born child. Too bad I don’t have kids. I sent in all the info requested and got a denial letter the following month. The letter says “we received your information sent in on October 10, 2010. We have your HUD statement, dated June 11, 2010, and your contract for purchase dated April 9, 2010” Then the reason for denial stated that their records show I purchased my home on August 22, 2008. Wait, Wait! How can someone be so blind? Just two sentences before, they acknowledged that I went under contract on April 9, 2010 and closed June 11, 2010. How could I have purchased the home in 2008??? So I appealed the denial and sent in my recorded deed, dated June 11, 2010. I also sent in the tax history of my home showing that I did not own it in 2008 or 2009. Then I got crafty and found the previous owner’s deed, which was recorded August 22, 2008. So then I figured out that they somehow are confusing my purchase with the previous owner’s purchase! Ever since, I get a letter about every 30 days saying they need more time to review the information that I sent in in October 2010. Then in July 2011, I called and was told that they were closing my case because “their records show I purchased the home on August 22, 2008.” I feel like I’m in the twilight zone!! No one ever even reviewed all that additional information I sent in, and if they did, whoever it was was an idiot! What makes this so much worse is that I purchased a HUD home… A home owned by the freaking government! It’s not like I’m scamming here, it’s all government documents!!!! I called the tax advocate service and now have sent them all the information and was told I have to wait until September 21, 2011 to hear back from them. Is it ever going to happen for me??? Has anyone else had this problem??
Still waiting for that nice check on the mail. Month 16. I had also used a reputable CPA and long time family friend. I decide to use the WHERE IS MY TAX REFUND link on the IRS website. And no information was discover. I used that number given on the website for me to called their office. But it was not the Fresno office, and they said it hadn’t been filed! I immediately called my CPA, and we called together and it was indeed filed and “processing”. She even gave me a personal $3000 advance. She doesn’t know why its taking so long and is baffelled that I am her only client that has not received this credit. bummer!
We STILL have not received our check!! What number do we call?? I’ve been trying to find it online with no luck! 🙁
Hope someone can help us!
I need help!
I hope someone who has been in a similar situation can give me some advise.
Back in 2008 my then husband and I purchased a home. The mortgage was solely on his name, but my name was on the deed. Shortly after the purchase we separated and in 2009, we filed our tax returns as joint divorced, and he claimed the credit and kept it because we were not living together at the time. Our divorce was final at the end 2009. I married my current husband in 2010, a few months after he had purchased his first home. We filed 2009 taxes as married jointly, and the IRS denied us the credit because I appear as though I had already received the credit.
Is there any way we can prove our case that we never received the tax credit before? Please help!
end of july 2011 – son filed 2010 first time home buyers in january 2011; had entered into contract with down payment in March 2010; closed May 2010. has sent all requested (3 different times) information, supporting papers, etc. whenever responded to by IRS … the last time having been rejected because ‘not sent in requested blah-blah-blah; you owe $1k+’. this requested paperwork had not been requested previously (he kept all communications). this was over 6 weeks ago and he has not heard anything since. he’d purchased this small condominium at a specific price because he’d factored in the first time credit as it’d be suggested by the realtor. he’d not doubted the gov’t honoring this as he met all criteria to qualify … and was/is counting on the returned credit for his final year’s tuition. does anyone have more recent information/experience to share? does anyone recommend using a tax advocate?
entered that first blurb a month ago … here’s an update which truly is no update … they responded to his submitting the information they mentioned as his having not sent & for denying him the credit … they said they’d received it and it was being reviewed and that he’d hear from them again by august’s end … august has come and gone, now it’s the beginning of september … here’s blurb i added elsewhere; let’s all wish one another good luck & god speed re. these refunds which promise helped folks make home purchases, got some homes off the market, helped a bit towards stimulating the economy: review of son’s situation: i’ve left comment elsewhere re. my son’s signing his purchase contract in march of 2010, closed in may 2010, filed for tax credit in feb 2011 … and still waiting (sept 2011) … he has given them extra information, supporting documents each time they’ve said they need something more … one item being something never asked for in original request or subsequent requests but used as reason to deny … needless to say, he too had a response turnaround time of less than 24 hours for each & every requested documentation. he never complained and always responded in a sane, business-like fashion … unfortunately he has been counting on this 1st time homeowner’s return being used towards his senior year tuition … the school year has begun, the semester paid without these hoped for funds. the interest that will be paid won’t cover the accrued interest & cost of taking out a loan to make up the difference. and, nothing can be done about it except let his mother let off some steam in this blog! sigh …
Filed in March of 2010, with my tax preparer, whom has been in the business for over 30 years and is a family friend. I feel so bad for her, because she’s the one that has to wait on hold for me and keep tabs with the IRS. It’s now almost August 2011, and no check. They won’t even let my have my own personal 2009 federal tax return, which is another $1,500 on top of the $8,000, un-be-lievable!!! I received my state return with no problem. So, now, they say it will be another 2-4 weeks. Bummer. I got those Home Depot no interest for 12 months cards and fixed up the place myself to save money. Well, it’s been more than 12 months, so, I’m paying over $600 in deferred interest now. Double Bummer.
This whole thread is depressing. I figured that because I had waited a decent amount of time before filing that I would have missed the rush and would be processed quickly. I filed an amended return for my 2010 taxes which was received by the IRS (sent certified mail) on May, 17th 2011. I purchased the home in April 2010. I have a couple of questions and would really appreciate any info you all can supply.
1. Has anyone filed in the same time frame as me and either heard about or received their credit?
2. How long does it usually take to get the credit?
2. Has anyone dealt with the IRS processing center in Philadelphia?
3. Is there anything at all that can be done to expedite the process on my end?
Thank you God! I will finally be getting my refund in a week or two! I have been going back and forth with the IRS since February of 2009! It is now June 2011! Be persistant with them.
OK. Now, I am really depressed and feeling hopeless after reading the above comments. I filed 5405 in January they contacted me by mail, that they needed more info..I sent it out the next day (march 31st) I’ve been calling and looked it up on their website and it states “there has been proccessing delays you should rec your refund by June 14th.” I hope so! I’ve been checking my bank account each day….ok, a couple of times a day. But, a few of you said that they send it by mail only? I will let you all know how it goes!!
You should receive a letter 5 to 7 day prior. It will tell you to look for the check in afew days.
I filed mine as an extention. SO both letters went to my OLD address not the new address. So I recieve both the letter and the check the same day, because the post office held them and forwarded them at the same time.
I filed an amended return in February of 2011. I received a letter with all my documents enclosed. They told me I failed to mail in form 5405, I took a copy of everything I mailed in and stapled it together. When I received my papers back, I check what was stapled together and that form 5405 was stapled with all those other papers, anyway I did submit all the papers again. Two weeks later I called to check the status and was told that it takes 12-16 weeks and when I returned that paperwork my time starts all over from the date that I returned them. OMG I guess this is just a waiting game.
Yesterday was a year since I’ve been waiting. I got a letter saying it was finally approved on 2/14/11 and would have my check in 4-6 weeks. Still nothing. When I called they said they had a glitch in their system and my check wasn’t released and they don’t know how to fix it. They said I shouldn’t be concerned since they will pay me interest. I’m sure what they pay is nothing compared to what my credit cards are charging. They asked if I was in a financial hardship. I told them I’ve been living off credit cards since a 5bypass heart surgery last July and my car is broke down in the driveway. They said that is not a hardship because although I’ve been paying my bills with credit cards I’m not past due.
Just curious where you’re all getting the phone number to call. We filed in mid-2010 with an amendment and it was returned as denied as they were claiming we previously owned a home – this was not the case. We purchased PROPERTY with intent to build in 2006. No mortgage existed. It appeared to us that they took a sweeping glance at our paperwork and stamped it denied. We aren’t giving up on this without a fight. We re-filed (through our accountant) and sent in mid-March. I got a confirmation through certified mail on 3/21/11 that they received our paperwork. We got our denial letter pretty quickly after the first round so I’m hopeful that they are actually REVIEWING our papers this time around. But again, if someone can give me a number to call that isn’t automated, I’d really appreciate it.
Hi JRM, did you pay property tax on that property, and did you claim that property tax as an itemized deduction? At first I thought I was eligible because I did not actually occupy my newly built house until 2009, but since I purchased the property before that with the intent that it would be my primary residence, I could claim the property tax deduction for up to 24 months, BUT I found after reading IRS Publication 936, that once I had claimed the property tax, THAT started the clock, making me ineligible for the First Time Homebuyers Credit. Would have been nice if the IRS website on this new credit had said that up front, but this whole thing was sprung on them by surprise, and they were not prepared for the avalanche, let alone all the cases with unusual circumstances.
This hurt me financially big time, because I made the final push to get into my house by telling my contractor that I would be paying with the First Time Homebuyers Credit. I had researched, and was sure all was OK. After I got denied, I had to take out cash advances on credit cards to pay the guy, some of which are charging me 29.99% interest!!! And that’s after the credit card reform laws that went into effect last year! And now I find out that the Federal taxes I am paying are being used to give kids in “magnet” schools free I-Pads!!!!!! How fast are those $500 machines going to be obsolete, broken, or stolen???
Ive called every number in my local phone book, even where I did my taxes. The only numbers I can get are the ones with the automated information, enter this and that and followed by the pound key. Apparently its the same in AZ, which was where I had to sent my paperwork by snail mail. It would be wonderful to speak with a real live breathing person. Sure hope Im not being stuck in a perpetual brain fart cuz I cant find a real person to talk to. What number are you guys using????
I call 1-866-897-0177 and speak to an actual person every time.. Of course we’ve been waiting on our credit since February 2011.. almost 7 months later and they say it could be another 45 days or so before someone looks at my account and then another 45 days before they make their decision.. However, I feel that most of the agents will just tell me a longer date in hopes that I will smile, say thanks and have a good day..
I’d given up on my badly needed refund, after my claim was denied even after using the tax payer advocate. I bought a manufactured home in 11-09, put it on very rural property I’d owned for 30 years, and finally moved in my first own house last summer. I payed for it in full with inheritance from my dad. I lost my job shortly after I lost my dad, so have been living on those savings, which are now gone. I’d been counting on living on the refund until hopefully I can find a job or get disability or something. The IRS kept asking for mortgage docs. and pay stubs, when I have neither. Also they wanted a receipt from a moving company. I couldn’t afford one and moved myself in many trips, with some help from friends. A few days ago, an IRS agent actually called me about my claim, and told me to submit everything again! I mailed everything by certified mail yesterday. I’m hopeful, but cautious. I had no idea so many others were having problems.
its been over a year since i filed for the first time home buyers credit. Ive sent in every documentation short of sending in nude pics of myself. I finally received my credit but no interest and so i start another battle with the IRS. SOOO frustrating ! If i owed the IRS money they would have garnished my wages and done everything to get their money this is the most frustrating thing ever and to top it off I’m 9 months pregnant!
We filed for our credit on our 2009 return…provided them with every piece of documentation and then some (over 50 plus pages) After several letters from the IRS requesting more documentation ( same info we already provided) phone calls every 2-3 weeks, we FINALLY received the refund due to us plus interest…..11 months later. Hang in there and be persistent!
Hang in there. We filed in March 2010. Our attorney failed to send in the right papers. We sent them in, didn’t hear, called several times (once speaking to an incredibly arrogant agent who acted as though we should be grateful that they would consider giving any money at all to us), found out (only after a call) that they wanted another document, sent it in, waited six more weeks then – last week – got our check plus interest.
Frustrating, but successful.
This is really diheartening, I just applied for ours in February 2011, and I’ve been checking the mail like a crazy woman waiting for that check, and now I read that it could take up to a year or more by a lot of commentors. We really need that money as a cushion when my hubs gets out of the army soon, looks like I might have to get an extra job to hold us over during that period.
I filed in Sept 2010 and got my check Dec 2010. Everything was filled out right I had a tax company do it. It will take 3 months if everything is filled out right. If you have to send more paperwork that they need, you will have to get in line again. I got real sick with a huge breast abcess. Had to have surgury and could not work. I had to get help from the food banks to make it threw untill I got my check. The good part is it came with interest.
I submitted my amended tax return for the homebuyer’s tax credit over 7 months ago, and I have still not received it!!! I have called several times and even sent additional information when they requested it. Isn’t is interesting that when you owe the government money, they want it right then. But no, when they owe you money…….it’s like it’s never gonna get to you!!!!!
Hang in there, folks. We just got our check yesterday with interest. Only took a year 🙂
Update: I finally called one last time to find out the “status” of my tax credit and fortunately, for the first time ever I got a lady who said she could see that my filed had been closed and approved. So I asked okay, “what does that mean now?” She stated that my check would be mailed out and I should receive it by mid March. I didn’t anticipate it actually happening, but I am pleased to report it did!! (with interest!)
To Cindy, I would only recommend that you continue to send whatever they ask, and send in copies twice (just in case) and call at least every 15- 30 days, and just tell them, you’re checking on the status. They told me the same thing about how they had all these fradulant cases where ppl claimed they bought a house but didnt, they even told me once, “well, you aren’t the only one that was a home time buyer!” I know how livid they can make you feel!! Trust me!!! Hope you get yours soon!!
Reading all these comments lets me know I am not the only person in this predicament. I closed on my house April 1, 2010. I amended my 2009 tax return in May 2010. I’ve called many times and documented each call. Each time I am given a date/time as to when I should receive either my refund or a response from the IRS. I too have received letters with “respond by” dates. I’ve spoken to rude individuals and nice individuals who basically try to reassure me that they are working on it and I should hear something by…..”insert date here”. I was told a while back that I was being audited. OK…fine, but how long does it take to verify that I actually bought the house, I live there, and I am a new homeowner? Really!!! I’ve sent them every document they asked for and then some. This is so incredibly frustrating. I wrote my congressman and that has not helped so far either. I filed my 2010 income tax with TurboTax and it was deposited promptly into my bank account on Friday, March 18, 2011. I can’t believe I received that before this tax credit. What is going on here? Can you hear me screaming? Ugh!!!!
Filed mine at the end of May ’10. Have been calling and calling, heard back 2 weeks ago that they denied my claim because I had to prove I was divorced at the time I purchased my house. Now I just talked to another lady, who tells me the exact same thing every time I call, that they’ve had fruadulent cases, blah blah blah. I told her if I owed the IRS money you’d be up my a$$! I’m so sick of waiting. Told me it would probably be another 90 days. Just very frustrating and there seems to be no end in sight. I hate getting rude with these people b/c I know they are doing what they can, but don’t tell me it just got to your area. I don’t care, not my problem. To me the IRS is the IRS, no matter what division you work in!!
It’s been a year and still no credit refund. I have faxed over numerous paperwork that the IRS requested. My friend turned me on to a Tax Advocate Group that will take your information, make it into a case and present it to the IRS. I am keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath. The Advocate Group stated that it will take 90 days. Whats another 3 months.
*update* after months of the run around and several letters saying our file was under review and we would hear by they by X date, we finally were approved and should recieve our money in 6-8 weeks. It’s only been 10 months or so. I’ll believe it when I see it. With a baby due any day this money will be helpful.
I filed an amendment in May 2010. I still have yet to receive my credit!!! Each time I have called they tell me they need more information. I have sent everything they have asked for and still they just keep telling me it’s still being reviewed!!! It is so agravating!!! I swear each time I hang up with an IRS agent…my entire mood changes…grrrr!!!!!!!!
I filed June of 2010 no admendment. I received the refund outside of the 8K within a few weeks but the homebuyer tax credit went straight to review and has been there every since. Last documentation was received by them Decemeber 13, 2010 was supposed to have an answer in Jan. they sent a letter saying still reviewing should have an answer in Feb. Still no word. Called last week docs have not been reviewed. Did anyone verify if interest would be added? If I owed them 8K I would have a request for garnishment by now but its a totally different story when they owe you.
I’ve now had my home for 1 year and 2 weeks as of 2/15/11 and still have not rcvd my credit. Have got the runaround like you wouldn’t beleive. Just goes to show, your on their time. They’ll get theirs but you’ll just have to wait till we get around to it to get yours
It is 20 months since we filled for First time homebuyer credit…We sent them all paperwork they requested (some of it few times) and we still didnt get the check…. Does anyone know if IRS have to pay interest for all that time we are waiting for our money?
Thank you for reply…
I received a letter stating I was denied because the paperwork I sent in did not accurately define the purchase of the home??? They also sent along paperwork requesting my signature allowing them to close out my case! Why’d they even bother offering the tax credit if they were going employ sneaky tactics to deny or screw with everyone? Anyways, I faxed in another set of paperwork that stated the deed number is the record books, etc., and only yesterday received their response which ONLY told me they’d gotten my fax and again my case is under review. According to them, I SHOULD hear something from them by February 20th. Don’t think I’ll hold my breath. THIS SUCKS!
Do you get any kind of letter saying they received your paper work or do u just wait and hope a check comes ?
Well, it did take us just about a year to get the check, but finally it did come. Along the way we did receive an interim letter requesting information and a form our accountant said they originally hadn’t required. We promptly sent the additional information. Later as the months wore on I did on two or 3 occasions call them, and I must say they were generally responsive and helpful. Having dealt with beauracracies before, I knew not to adopt a demanding or insulting demeanor, because I knew that would be a good way to get my file placed down the bottom of the pile. So one year after closing I finally received my $8,000 check. Yes, it took longer than anticipated and was a hassle, but… the bottom line is don’t get demanding or indignant, honey catches flies quicer than vinegar.
HI! We have been waiting over for 11 months to get the 8,000. Did you get interest paid since they waited a whole year to get you the money? Thanks for the info.
P.S. Any helpful hints when you did call? We were told that Austin was the only dept. that could make the decisions. Thanks, Kathy
bought a house november 2009, filed tax return for 2009 around feb 1 2010. STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED my first time home buyers credit. nothing but a run around. Every time I call I am put off another 4-12 weeks….Here I am, ready to file tax return for 2010……
i amended my 2009 taxes when i bought my home in april of 2010…. over 30 weeks later and no word. i’ve called numerous times, they put me on hold and then i get disconnected…… starting to make me angry and make me a little worried….if it was gonna take this long i would have just waited to do on my 2010 taxes!!! this is crap.
So true I am in the same boat it has beem 10 months and I could have waited to file it on my 2010 taxes as well. I feel a little bit better knowing that I am not alone in my waiting.
amen scott! I’m in the same boat…seems we were “encouraged” to do our part to stimulate the housing market with the promise that we’d get the tax credit…Hmmm..Makes me VERY angry too..Closed on house in July,2010…Still Waiting…
i’ve left comment elsewhere re. my son’s signing his purchase contract in march of 2010, closed in may 2010, filed for tax credit in feb 2011 … and still waiting (sept 2011) … he has given them extra information, supporting documents each time they’ve said they need something more … one item being something never asked for in original request or subsequent requests but used as reason to deny … needless to say, he too had a response turnaround time of less than 24 hours for each & every requested documentation. he never complained and always responded in a sane, business-like fashion … unfortunately he has been counting on this 1st time homeowner’s return being used towards his senior year tuition … the school year has begun, the semester paid without these hoped for funds. the interest that will be paid won’t cover the accrued interest & cost of taking out a loan to make up the difference. and, nothing can be done about it except let his mother let off some steam in this blog! sigh …
Hey Scott,
We closed on our house April 22, 2010, I amended our taxes and filed all the paperwork by May 1, and we received our tax credit with interest exactly 7 weeks later to the day, our friends closed on their house 3 weeks later and filed their credit 2 weeks after that and received their credit 8 weeks later. Call them until you are able to get an agent on the phone to check the status, I know those that filed after they extended the credit are having to wait quite a while due to the volume of refund requests, however, everytime I called in I was able to get an agent and they were very helpful! I hope this helps. Also my sister closed in July, and filed hers in August, they requested more info in October and she has still not gotten her refund but called in November and got put on a hardship to try and speed up the process of getting her refund. Last week they told her they were processing for the last week of October and would start November in the next week or so! Hope this helps some! Sorry you have had to wait!
I filed an amended 1040X in September 2010 and still have not received the check. I have called numerous times and gotten a different story every time. At one point, an agent admitted to me that some IRS agents were telling outright lies to filers when they call because they are so frustrated with having to deal with the public. Apparently, the IRS had a hiring freeze in place when the Hombuyers Credit was implemented and got a few hundred thousand cases and no new employees. In addition, 60% of the filings were fraudulent so they stopped paying them at all last summer until “investigative units” were set up which took months. Obviously the situation is not entirely their fault, but that doesn’t excuse the moronic behavior I’ve encountered on my phone calls to the IRS such as rudeness, lying etc.
One more comment – at this point, March 22, 2010, the refunds are taking a minumum of 4-5 months and more likely till take over 6 months unless things get smoothed out now that the investigative units are in place.
It’ll be a year next month since I filed for mine. It has taken me 3 times of sending in the same stuff which the 2nd and 3rd time included the RECORDED deed. I purchased a home I was leasing and they said they couldn’t figure out how I was able to purchase a home but not have a change of address. I even went as far as giving them a copy of my original lease and a sworn statement that I bought the property I had been renting and they still couldn’t figure it out.
amen!
I finally recieved my home credit on December 31, 2010. It did take 7 months to get but I did finally get the credit. I just kept waiting and every time they requested addtional information I mailed or faxed it back the very next day. They are just really slow getting the credits out, because to many people claimed the credit at the beginning that had not even bought a house and so all of the people that truely desire the credit have to fight the IRS to get it.
All – I have been waiting for my tax credit for 11 months. I believe the IRS has been responsive to my inquiries because I send my letters to them certified. Calling isn’t enough! The IRS workers are either incredibly overworked or are drones, because even after explaining my situation they still forwarded my paperwork to their arbitration team. A 2-minute phone call resolved everything and my check will be in the mail soon (hopefully with a year’s worth of interest!)
just curious if you got interest added to your credit I have been waiting 19 months now looks like they might have finally decided to approve my credit “fingers crossed.”
I should get my check within the next couple of weeks, but my fingers are crossed, too! I read on the IRS website that interest is paid starting 45 days after that year’s taxes were due through the day the check is cut (in this case, interest would be effective 5/15/09 since I filed an amended 09 return). If I don’t get the interest I expect I’ll post an update. Good luck!
I called in today and found out my check will be sent out next Friday. I am getting interest but not a lot for having to wait 19 months only about 8% of my credit. Not complaining though I’m just happy to be getting a check finally.
I got mine in a little over 8 weeks and I got interest of $48. I believe its calculated so much per day like if a regular Tax refund was late.
What additional information did they ask for?
A divorce decree and property settlement that proves I deeded my previous house to my ex-husband proving that I was not an owner of the home despite the fact that I was still on the mortgage. They kept declining my credit because I received mortgage interest statements from the bank. But had they looked at whether I actually owned the home by checking out the house’s deed, they could have resolved the issue in a matter weeks instead of months. But every time I sent requests for updates, disagreed with the declines or provided information I did it all through certified mail.
Am I the only one STILL waiting? We bought our home in Febuary 2009 and we filed in April. Since then we’ve received at least 7 letters saying the IRS will get back to us. We’ve called and called. It’s now Jan 2010 making it 9 months since we filed. Then today when we called, my husband was hung up on after being on hold for 30 minutes and when he called back after another 30 minute wait, an automated response said the IRS could not take our call. What the hell is up with this?! I’m so sick of waiting and getting the run around. This is horrible service! I just wish we didn’t need the money to get out of the debt we’re in for buying our house!
Finally got an agent that I could converse with beyond: “it’s being investigated, sir. You just have to be patient.” This time he passed me on to another agent who said: “What we need is proof that you were out of your last residence for over three years.” That’s it. That’s what all this was about. The question is – why didn’t they tell me this back in June when I made the first inquiry, as I could have sent that on to them immediately.
So I’ll send on the papers and see what happens. . .
Received my check Dec 20th 2010. I sent in the paperwork Sept 17, 2010 I sent in a amended return and got my Christmas present.I had a tax service prepare it for me.
Filed in March. Still waiting. Everytime I’ve called I get: “we are processing your paperwork.” Several dates I was given have passed. I get the same response: “we are processing your paperwork.”
My mistake? Actually it was our accountant. We gave him our HUD statement. He failed to send it in. This started the process giving the IRS an excuse to not pay us. The last conversation I had with an agent was disturbing to say the least. With sarcasm dripping from her mouth she said: “So you have a problem not receiving this free money that you did nothing to earn?” I guess they want us to beg.
I submited my paper work to adjust my 09 tax return June 7.
I still have not recieved my credit. I called to check the status in
August. They said they recieved the paper work July 14 & the
processing time is 16-18 weeks. I still have not recieved my credit.
I’m not happy with the turn around time. I keep reminding myself
this program has never exsisted before and is part of the reason
why I bought my home. With that being said I want my damn money….lol
Final update to my update to my update: (yeah, I know..)
Received check today, December 1, for the full amount plus 200 in interest. It only took 7 months, 2 weeks and 2 days! :p
For those of you still doing the waiting dance: hang in there. I know it’s rough, but you will eventually see action. It might take 7 months, 2 weeks, etc… but you will.
I sent in my amendment paperwork April 15th, called today and it is still under review. I just keep getting the run around they tell me they didn’t receive copies of paperwork, bull. I made copies of everything I sent for my own record, I open the folder and there they are. I think they claim they didn’t receive them just so they can stall more. I wish they were just up front and honest, then I wouldn’t be anticipating the refund. I think prisoners that are being fraudulent receive their check before me at this point.
I filed my tax return on Oct. 12, 2010 and 5 weeks later got by $8,000 check with $157 additional interest. I’m still in shock because I’ve heard so many horror stories about delays etc. All I know is that I brought my paperwork to H&R Block, they did my tax return and we attached my HUD, signed purchase agreement, and 2 pieces of mail I had recieved at my new address (401k and mortgage statement). I’ve heard that if you don’t send all of the information in correctly the first time, your return gets flagged as possible fraud, and thats when the long delays start. I honestly think having a professional look everything over and sending in proof that I am actually living in the home I purchased helped speed things along. I also didn’t call and harass the IRS people. I had a friend that did that and it didn’t help her case one bit, 3 months and she’s still waiting 🙁
Received a letter today dated November 18th stating that “my refund has been approved”. Of course, there’s now a 6 to 8 week waiting period for it, heh.
I estimate that I’ll probably finally receive this money – IF I do, that is – by early February.
Ten MONTHS after I send in the paperwork. Unbelievable.
But at least the wait is almost over – I hope. I won’t believe it until I actually hold the check in my hand.
Hang in there, all of those who haven’t gotten it yet. I totally feel your pain.
Hey all! There is a light at the end of this horribly long tunnel of doom! We received our money plus interest exactly one day shy of a year!! Ridiculous, but it did come! Now I fully believe that if we did not have a tax advocate it would of taken even longer.
Sounds like the IRS just doesn’t want to give taxpayers what is due to them. I closed 6/16 and sent the paperwork in 2 days later. they came back twice requesting additional information..not to mention the fact they lost my amended return and said I did not submit it! After sending them all the information requested, the file was complete on 8/16. Yesterday, I called and they are stating my case is closed, but no notes in the system as to why! This has been the most frustrating process. They are quick to take money, but slow as crap refunding money. I just don’t get it. Now I’m going to seek a tax advocate for assistance. This is TRULY insane! Guess I’ll be waiting another 6 months!
I mailed my ammended 2008 return along with form 5405 and a copy of my drivers license April 15th of this year. I received their request for additional documentation mid to late July. I returned the Purchase Agreement, signed and dated by both myself, my husband, and the seller, a copy of my most recent bank statement showing the address of the purchased home, U.S.P.S change of address confirmation, also showing the new homes address, and copies of every cancelled check written for the mortgage payment dating back to the January 12, 2009 purchase date. This was everything the IRS requested. In fact, I exceeded their request for proof of payment and faxed everything back to them the same day I received the letter. Every 6 weeks since then I’ve called to check on my refund (the time on hold is utterly absurd) and each time I’m told my submission is awaiting review, and could take another 6-8 weeks. The calls all end with an unfaltering invitation to call back in a couple of weeks for an update. The sad reality of this is I’ve yet to receive an update, OR, needless to say, a check!
That is exactly what is going on with us…. Sent all the stuff in April… last month they request more info… sent that in. Got in the mail letter saying they recieved everything and will be under review until 11-30-10… So very frustrated…. was really hoping to have a little extra Christmas money… Looks like next year some time… 🙁
I called them again this morning, a feat which is proving them to be as useless as used toilet paper. The only update I received was that they’d mailed me a letter on November 5th, whose contents, she replied, “were unknown/unavailable to her” and if I hadn’t received it within 30 days of its mailing (she inaccurately quoted the deadline to be the 2nd week in December, her precise words “by the 12th of December”) to call back in. No doubt another one of their stall tactics. The only good thing that came of this conversation, my one and only glimmer of hope, was that she acknowledged it had been over 16 weeks since the RECEIPT of my ammended return, and verbally conceded it had been an unusually long wait for information (she must’ve been new to admit to wrongdoing on their part). Under the advice of other poster’s both here and other websites, I’ve began filling out the application for an Advocate. I suggest anyone else on this boat do the same. Good luck everyone!
More news! Got a call from home saying I had received said Mystery Letter from the IRS today. More accurately, I received a large envelope from IRS Submission Processing Center as well as a standard envelope from the IRS Department of Treasury. Anyone gotten these? I won’t be home to open them ’til Monday! The suspicion is killing me! I was only expecting the one Mystery Letter.
Submitted my tax return in May 2010. I split the tax credit with my boyfriend since we bought our home together. He received his half of the return within six weeks. It is now the middle of November and I still don’t have mine. I did get a letter in June which said to call them in 45 days if I heard nothing. So I called on day 45 and got crap because “It hasn’t been 45 business days yet; we don’t work on the weekends.” WELL your letter should specify BUSINESS days! I FINALLY got a letter in September requesting additional documentation including the signed HUD form which I had already submitted as well as bank statements, pay stubs, mortgage statements, etc. Got a letter saying I should hear from them by December 11th. We will see….It’s absurd that my boyfriend got his half and they’re withholding mine!
Hi, Jill,
Well, we submitted ours in March and still haven’t gotten it. At issue (supposedly) was that we hadn’t sent in our HUD statement (our attorney’s fault actually). But that set the delay in motion. I’ve called several times, always waiting until their (arbitrary) time limit, only to be told the same thing over and over – “its in review.” When you protest they get snippy – “sir, we said its in REVIEW.” In other words – go away!
Don’t hold your breath – this is our government at its patronizing worst. I’m beginning to believe, in fact, that word has come down to not only delay, but cut off all other payments – save some money, you know.
Hi John,
I actually got a letter today (although still no check) saying that I’ve recently received a new homeowner’s tax credit and explaining how repayment works if you move in the next three years…so I’m assuming the check is not far behind (I hope!).
That’s good to hear. Did you use a tax advocate? That seems to be the way people have gotten their case heard.
Hi John,
I actually did not use a tax advocate. I called the IRS two or three times. Once they sent out the letter asking me for my additional information they got the ball rolling relatively fast and I received my check today. It was definitely a pain in the butt process and having to be patient but hopefully yours will come soon!
Good luck,
Jill
Today is 11/14/10, and I still do not have my homeowners rebate for 2009.I used H.R. Block.I have been given the run-around by the I.R.S.I have had a tax advocate, who has closed my file after I met with a compliance officer.The compliance officer gave me a letter congratulating me and saying she recomended no changes to my return.That was two months ago.My return supposedly went to Kansas City;Oakland, and somewher else I can’t remember supposedly for processing.They owe me 6000.They finally paid me $820.which was my regular return one month ago(9 months).I called Barbara Boxers Office(My self proclaimed Rep.)Her staff kicked me to the curb.I will not vote for her again. I’m thinking seriously about not voting for Obama again too.(I guess Democrats Suck These Days)
I sent my paper return for 2009 prepared by H.R. Block into the I.R.S the middle of 1/10.My return included the 5405,First Time Homeowners Rebate,and my settlement papers from all the DOCS I got when my house closed in 9/2009.I moved in it in 10/2009.My house was a HUD home that needed some repairs.I am a senior citiuzen on a fixed income and no retirement.I get a small amount per month.I charged the cost of my repairs on my credit card to the tune of $4,000.00,to make the small house livable.HUD did not pay for any of these repairs.
I waited about three months before contacting the I.R.S.,I had not heard from them and in the past it usually took me about 4 weeks to get my refund.I file the simplest form.I called them several times and was told it’s being processed.So about the sixth month I got a taxpayer advocate.Two months later I got my regular refund of $800. They owed me 6700.I kept calling my advocateand in the 9th month, 9/10,I got a letter from a compliance officer for a meeting.I went to the meeting and brought copies of all my tax forms per her request, by the way I also mailed copies of all my tax forms to my taxpayer advocate9They were faxed costing me $11.00) .I asked each why they keep needing copies of my tax forms for 2009.They really avoided my questions.At the end of my meeting with the compliance officer she gave me a letter congratulating me saying she recommend no change in my refund.She also stated I would probably get my money before I get a final letter from her dept. closing my file, this was 9/13/10).By the way my tax payer advocate told me over the telephone that She was closing my file and that I would also get interest on my return for having to wait.In the begining of this run-around I was told my file went to Kansas City;Then later Oakland.The tax examiner in Oakland told me over the phone my return was never in Oakland, ca. Today is 11.14/2009, and I have yet to receve my Howneowners Rebate.”I DID EXACTLY WHAT PRESIDENT OBAMA TOLD AMERICANS TO DO.AND PUT REPAIRS ON CREDIT THINKING SURELY I WOULD HAVE MY REFUND IN 2-3 MONTHS,BECAUSE BEFORE MY REFUND NEVER TOOK MORE THAN 4 WEEKS.”In my mind I will not vote for President Obama next time.I was stupid enough to vote for him when he got elected.,I won’t vote for BARBARA BOXER again either because I tried to get some help from her staff before her election and was just kicked into the gutter.Ron Moore/TAX PAYING CITIZEN
Fed up with the IRS, I filed mine first of April. It is now mid November and nothing, I have called, I have sent paper work 3 times, Once because they said they had a computer error and lost my Hud form. I have sent fed ex in August. Got a letter in Sept and said would be 30 days. Got another letter in Oct saying same thing be another 30 days. They said I was approved back in August just said they needed the Hud form again. Well I don’t know what to do. I am a single mother making it week to week and could use the funds to fix up my house, IE new Fridge, New Dryer and fix my overhang that is falling. Comeon IRS this is some BS.
Barb, I requested a Tax advocate when I had called in July and they gave me one. I think it’s untrue when someone told you that lawyers are reviewing the paperwork. Maybe it’s law students, but not lawyers. Good luck with your quest in getting the money. I called them consistently every week before I received my check 6 months later.
Can someone tell me how to get a tax advocate? Who do you call? I have filed an amended return and it has been 8 weeks. I have been told it has been received and it is in line to being reviewed. They said it is lawyers who are reviewing these returnes. They told me now it can be 16 weeks. I now have been reading these posts and some have not received theirs and it has been months. I need the money I have lost my job and now I will lose my first home. I need an advocate.
I’ve called four times over the past five months. Each time I get: “we are processing it, sir.” The last time I got an incredibly patronizing person who told me in a voice dripping with sarcasm: “you’re talking about getting the free money from the government, right? The money you did nothing to deserve?” In other words – we’ll hold you up as long as we feel like holding you up because you don’t deserve this money in the first place.
My wife and I are actually resigned to not getting this money at all as its clear they’re just going to keep putting us off until we give up. Is there any recourse we have here?
“pester”(as one poster said, bother, call very often to the IRS. Best get an IRS TAS AGENT immediately.Whatever information your TAS agent can’t take by phone,MAKE SURE you send it ONLY certified mail, return receipt requested. That is the ONLY way you will make headway getting your return-rebate. Even receipted FAXES are denied by the IRS.
CALL VERY OFTEN, MAIL ONLY CERTIFIED, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED and WAIT, and WAIT-but maybe half the time. Sure it will run high, my case a couple hundred dollars in postage getting the IRS to respond, but think of the gross amount of the rebate.
This is frusterating……So I have a couple of questions…We closed on our house June 30, 2010 (but we are military so extended) Sent in Paperwork for amended 2009 taxes in late August 2010. Since we bought the house in 2010 how would we qualify for interest on 2009 taxes? Also, I tried to use their tool on line for checking my refund and it finds nothing. Don’t they send anything stating they received it or an estimated time, or is this something I have to manually call and pester them about?- Thanks in advance… Christina
For John H and others. It’s maybe time we complain bitterly to all our Congressional Reps and Senators. We need to explain the IRS slowness to them in terms of deliberate slow pace, neglect, shoddy evaluation of incoming tax returns, them not tracking in a decent business system incoming/outgoing paperwork.Our reps and senators need to hear how INEFFICIENT this branch of government is and be told to have the IRS rehauled, giving jobs to people who are workers, not takers of paychecks and benefits ‘job earned’, stretcher-outers-of -tasks just to collect MORE pay, overtime, benefits while the rest of us in general are hard up throughout the US.
I’m writing this in November of 2010. I filed my income tax in March of 2009 and am still waiting for the $8,000 new home tax credit. I keep hearing “we are reviewing your file.” Is there anything I can do?
Well, I sent mine in May and still have not seen that check as of yet. Two delays and request for more info, which btw was included with orignally submission.. and now I am learning there is a revised form generated in July that I may now have to resubmit and wait yet again…congrats to those of you who were successful. IRS stall..happy to learn about the interest..
Ann, Yes, I finally did receive the check sometime in September with interest. It didn’t happen until I requested a tax advocate. Good Luck!
This is incredible! We were promised a credit (incentive money) to purchase a home….and now we have to beg to get. That’s just not right. I settled late January and filed my taxes, with Home Credit paperwork, March 1st. After diligent weekly phone calls to the IRS and requesting an advocate I finally received it in September with interest. At one time when I called, someone on the other line told me my name was red flagged on the computer as calling from a prison! Imagine my surprise! I immediately went to the social security office to make certain no one else was using my social security number. The IRS office told me that one of the data entry people must have made a mistake! A mistake! That’s unforgiveable incompetence at its’ best! I didn’t get anywhere until I requested an advocate who called me and I got my check 6 weeks later. My heart goes out for those of you who have been waiting for 8 to 9 months. That shouldn’t be…..there is something wrong with that picture. No one in politics has mentioned this “blunder”…It appears to be hush, hush….Somewhere up there is probably embarrased that it has gone on this far, with no end in sight.
(re:Amy)
An IRS TAS agent out of FRESNO told me there hasn’t really been that much fraud.
I had surmised that.
Is is scandolously shameful that the IRS(supposedly working for the people) is mistreating the people, treating a majority of rebate filers as red flag audit candidates. The people working for the IRS, and moreso the politicians who place them there, need to be fired in the Nov election. Threats of further taxation need be nipped in the bud now. The entire nationwide IRS needs to be torn apart and restructured, bring speed and efficiency-not overbearing ioppression on our pocketbooks. This would take a huge Congressional investigation and clean up under the current bulwarks of the Federal Government.
Trust you own instincts and be prepared to call several times a week, fight for your legitimate return-rebate with patience over months. I feel sorry for those who have not gotten a penny yet.
Yes, they asked me for all kinds of personal information they have no business knowing, that they can use or actually share/sell regaring how much on accounts, mortgage payment statements, drivers license, etc.. The government is trying to catalogue all the information bits they can on indiduals, now. This is not good, not in favor of our free nor entrepeneurial, nor freedom of speech.They will keep trying to take away our Constitutional liberties and using the IRS as one of their controls over us is part of that larger effort picture. Frankly, I think the IRS can be done away with, entirely.
And Amy, keep at it after the IRS, hound them-I did and am not done yet.Best to you getting your return back. THEY owe YOU.
I have been waiting five months for my refund. I have gotten three requests for additional information and each time it is for something different and than I have to wait another 30 to 60 days. I have been requested to send my diver license with new address, mortgage statement, copy of insurance for auto and etc. I just want to thank all those that took the credit when they did not even qualify for it, so it makes us that now do qualify for the credit have to keep sending in information and waiting because of all the fraud.
I am also playing this nasty game with the IRS. I have mailed paperwork to them 5 times now. Some of the requested information is duplicates from prior mailings. WTH are they doing with thte paperwork . I keep getting letters that this correspondance was recieved or now being reviewed. I call and it’s still being reviewed. I files originally february 21. It’s now creeping up on November. The last letter I recieved said I should hear something by Nov 11. It better be a damn check!
Apparently, the IRS and our Federal Government loves the bad,criminally negligent actions against the people regarding the FTHB SR. Maybe all of them think it’s good for their re-election in November.
6 to 8 weeks my a$$!! I’ve been waiting since JUNE to get my rebate. ITS IS NOT THE END OF OCTOBER!!! WHERE THE HELL IS MY MONEY IRS???!!!!! I have called them 2-3 times a month and they keep telling me it is in transit or being review. I hate the IRS
I closed on my very first home in early May10, filled out and sent in the 1040x, 5405, and HUD form end of May/early June. In mid July I received letter stating it was processed and denied with little to no reason as to why, when I called the number for questions/concerns on the denial, the Agent I spoke to said that I had to mail a letter with my inquiries, which I did promtly that same day. I didn’t receive a response from them until August 21/23with a Aug 16th date, stateing that it was being researched and to give them 45 days. I waited and received another letter over 45 days later asking for another 45 days. Called today and was told it was still being researched and to wait that second 45 days and call back if I dont hear anything an advocate will be assigned. This whole process is very frustrating. It will probally be resolved or denied again after I deploy in service of this country.;
You are not alone. We bought a house in May and are given the same spiel…. It is now November and I would like to know who to contact to make this right. I feel violated since I lost my joy and really need this money now.
A follow up to my previous post on October 25, 2010. Now out of country for my Military duties. My wife had called asking for a tax advocate, after the last 45 days was up, which the person on the other end said, sorry you can’t get one since another letter had been sent out asking for another 45 days while it is being researched. Getting more frustrated by the day. I guess all they have to do is keep sending out letters to avoid whaat they should be doing, which is paying the people who qualify for the credit.
A followup to the follow up. We finally got our check with some interest, but it only took 10 Months!!!!
Hi Everyone,
For those of you that still did not receive your refund…I feel your frustration. As you can see from my two previous posts, I sent my amended return back in March 2010 but the IRS claimed they never received it…This is what I did, after 16 weeks and getting no where with them. I went to my local IRS office with all my documents and the agent that help with my case told me exactly what I need to bring and the following day I brought all the documents to him and he submitted and gave me a stamped copy…I receive the refund 1 month after that. Good luck to you all…
ksy
They recieved our info on May 26th.. it went into reviews in August.. they sent in a referal on Sept 30 and said that we would definiately here something in 30 days.. welp its been 21 days so far and we have heard nothing..Has this happened to anyone else?
I am in the exact same boat as you. They received my information on the 25th of June. The 18th of October was the 16th week. I called and they sent in a referal. It has only been 7days since then, but I am in desperate need of that check! I am calling again right now to ask more questions. The woman I talked to last time couldn’t even tell me on what day interest would begin to accrue. >.<
i filed my fthbc april 8 i recieved a letter august 8 for more information on august 12 they recieved it and told me i should recieve notice in 30 days september 20 i recieved a tax advocate whom told me i should hear something form her by oct 26 , oct 8 i recieved a letter stating i was approved and it will take 4- 6 wks…………. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME ….IS THAT TRUE WOW !
Update: Letter from the IRS sent September 5 “requesting more information”. Gathered up everything they asked for (and a few things they didn’t) and OVERNIGHTED it all on September 8. Received all documentation on September 9 (and I know it was because it was SIGNED FOR, I have a copy of the signature confirmation). No word until September 27 – “still under review, you’ll hear from us in 30 days”. Today, October 18 – another letter, only now the story is “you’ll hear from us by November 22nd”.
At this point I think I just should have waited to file the damn thing with my ’10 tax return, because that’s how long it’s looking to be before I ever get it – IF I get it. At this point, I’m not holding my damn breath.
If I don’t hear anything in my favor by December 1st, my U.S. House rep is getting a call, along with my Senator AND the tax advocate. I am SICK OF THIS. It’s no wonder the country is the way it is.
Want to know what’s ironic? I saw a poster the other day that said “Support Obama – Vote Early.” As if!!!! He can’t manage to keep the promises that he DOES make, what makes him think I’d sign up for a second round of this?
Yes, I am UBER-TICKED.
The joy stories of checks received are far between and infrequent.
This “evaluation” and “review” terminology used so loosely by the IRS to consumers means you are under audit.Don’t feel badly, a large part of FTHBR candidates are audited; nothing new there. Make sure you stick the IRS with ALL the interest they owe you. This audit interception and delay tactic is intended to rob the public of their ‘wealth’ and unnecessay in most cases.
I have yet to see one class action suit broadly advertised appealing to cheated and delayed taxpayer filers for the FTHBR.
All I wanted to do, was improve my house so it was liveable, some for better energy savings. The IRS gave me only a partial return, and cheated me on the interest. I am still going to file for the rest of my return. It cost well over $200 pursuing what I got. On a below poverty level SS income.
The IRS is harsh, mean, obnoxious. They are not working for the people.
LIfe is hard, but plenty, without the $ insult from the IRS over their own problems and trying to keep the legal rebate money. I hope their is a big change in Congressional seats in Nov and the biggest change in leadership in 2012, before the IRS and other government agencies are entrenched in these types of practices to the point of no ‘return’ for us.
This new-fangled IRS is shameful.
We filed in February , today is October 14 we did not get our refund yet ! the funny thing in November we got letter from IRS telling us how much we supposed to get but they did not mention when we will get the money ! toda is October 14 we got another letter saying you received First time home buyer tax credit and you can’t sell or rent the house for three years!
The funny thing we did not received a penny yet .
filed back in February for the credit. It’s not October and nothing. I’ve called at least once a month. First they lost my info, then they sent me the wrong forms. They told me today it’ll be another 12-16 weeks which takes us to a year after first filing. You absolutely have to call to get anything done
My daughter filed in March and still has not seen her return.
Is there an advocacy group she can contact?
figure IRS will STILL be merry-go-rounding me on my return for the balance OWED ME of the FULL amount they owed me in 2009 and they will call THEIR erroneous delay MY delay so they rationalize paying me less interest.TG I’ll never have their liability on me imposed again, as punishment for requesting MY FSTHBR.
What phone number can i call to check? impossible to find one!
My 1040X will be identical to my original return for which the IRS deliberately shorted me the flat amount by scale based on my tax. And I anticipate another ‘tussle’ with them, that will take a whole bunch of months just as my partial refund did.
Their agents are ill-trained, not treating one’s return FIRST just as the individual filed it under a particular stimulus. Those inept agents Ilicitately CHANGE anyone’s stimulus rebate appopo filing to any kind the agent(s) please. And that is regardless of how the individual filed the return and WHAT stimulus they filed it for. Fraud, graft in the IRS.
Called today and found that my case was finally been closed in my favor on 10/7. Does anyone know how long after approval it takes for the check to be generated and mailed?
I first filed in April, so this is the best news I’ve had in a while.
Takes about two weeks after close to mail.
This has been the most frustrating experience with the IRS….we mailed EVERYTHING plus some to them…then they say they are missing a signature page from the HUD settlement statment so as instructed by the “IRS” agent, I fax the information to them….call back in two weeks…they can’t even confirm receipt but the agent does tell me something will become of this by Oct 8th….well, here it is Oct 12 and I just receceived a letter from the IRS informing me to file an “amended” return on form 1040X….I don’t have anything to amend..the information is still the same as our original return…..why is it my fault the IRS employees can’t adequately perform their job responsibilities and review the information presented to them??? And when I called on them on the most recent letter, the agent didn’t have access to the “data wharehouse” how the hell can they do their job if they don’t have access to the information?
Nice incentive President Obama…now put your actions where your mouth is….who is overseeing the agencies that are to full-fill your acts? It’s not you!
I sent my amended return on 3/2/10 the IRS received it on 3/4. Today is 10/9 and still no refund. Every time i call they say to give it 6-8 weeks because they are just “running a little behind”. Very frustrated. Was hoping to use $ for nice summer vacation, but hopefully will have by next sumer.
Filed 4/15. They wanted more info in June, got notification to hear something by July 31st. Get a letter SEPTEMBER, telling me wait till 10/31! All mine through Ogden, UT!
I filed all my stuff to validate I am legit, and it takes this long???
Mailed ammended return May 10th 2010 with ALL the right paperwork. Nothing happened until I called Aug 1st. When called they claimed that they didnt have the closing document for my house. I know they did b/c I photocopied exactly what I sent. They said they were going to mail me something which I had to respond to, which did come in 1 week. I sent in everthing again on Aug 15th. I just called today, 10/8/10 to check. They said it was under review and I should call back in a month.
There seems to be 2 takeaways so far. 1 is that you need to call to make anything happen. This is too bad as it wastes tax payers money to have all these people around answering phones. They should’ve gave people realistic expectations instead of these 6 week rumors. 2 is that it is going to take a long time to get a return. I think I will be lucky if it happens in 2010.
Good takeaway points, good observations; both factual.
I wish we all knew from the onset of filing, to call, call, call or forsake our legal return amounts. Made me feel like the Fed and IRS are not working for the people.
I wish all these online helpful type, sharing sites, complaint sites on the FTH stimulus rebate used realistic headlines and cut that “six weeks'” bit out. Realtors, specifically, used the ‘six weeks” enticement to get people to buy.
We all need to educate ourselves to how the government is now operating, left to our own devises on what and how we can do this.
Buyers, consumers,tax filer citizens BEWARE!
****Update***
Finally, received a call from tax advocate. My check will be mailed out Oct 8th with $457.34 worth of interest. That will put me at 8 LONG months. He did make a point to say that the interest will have to be paid back next year. For the many people that have been waiting FOREVER it is coming….GOOD LUCK ALL.
It is “coming’ as long as you call, call, call the IRS for it; otherwise not. Especailly with IRS free access to ALL personal information about you, if they see you are below Federal Poverty Level Income and make any arbitrary decision they want regarding you ‘not being able to afford a home’ Our President granted the IRS more UNUSUAL powers in April, 2010 to disqualify certain classes of buyers and further save the Government a few dollars to verse the national spending payouts in the last two years.
BUYER BEWARE, and fight, fight, fight for YOUR rights.
Some off the ‘backs of the POOREST’.
I filed amended return early April 2010. I received a letter asking for more documentation on 6/25/10. I sent it in the next day.
I received a letter saying it was received on 7/6/10 and I would hear some sort of response by 9/19/10.
Nothing yet.
For some reason, they’re sending to my previous address, even though in both my regular return and amended return, I used my new address.
My guess is that the address discrepancy is what’s slowing it down. Anyone else have this experience?
Oh yeah I had that happen.. its like I filed my tax return based on new address, and they sent a response to an old email address that I NEVER officially filed with the state or on my Drivers license or anything. Its like, what idiot let that glitch happen?
Could you have been dealing with a scam? The IRS does not send responses by email after the fact of submitting one’s return.
*************UPDATE*******************
Official Mail out date will be October 8, 2010. With $146 in interest. So total is $8,146. Has anyone ever had a mail out date and got sooner?
Received today! Total of 14 weeks. $8,146. First received July 7, 2010.
I closed on May 21 2010, mailed my amended return on Aug. 28 2010. I called to check the status on Sept. 27 2010 and was told that the check was going to mailed on Fri. Oct. 1 2010. That would put it at 5 weeks to process. HR Block did my amendment for 100 bucks, and couldn’t be happier.
I find no solstice in groupy togethereness, but understand the dilemna of each and sympathize.
Unregulated IRS sent me a partial return off odd dollars and odd cents only sentsually pandering to what the employees of the ‘investigation devision’ will never know.
I will be hounding them, as I did for months and months for my FULL payment remainder.I am below Federal Poverty Level Income right now, crippled, disabled, have MS, broken spine and will hound them for years to come. Medical is expensive, way beyond my reach for even basics. The IRS does owe me, I spent years paying tax in the past and I am entitiled.
Waiting since january when we filed. Received direct deposit for full refund today. Took 8 months to get our refund. We got a phone call from an auditor a couple weeks ago, and she said to be sure we have our full first and last names on our cell phones and home answering machines, otherwise, they will call but are not allowed to leave a message. She said she was working on “June’s” refunds that came in. We had sent in additional information for proof of residence in June. So, generally speaking, it takes about an additional 3 months for them to review additional information such as proof of primary residency. Just hang in there if you haven’t received yours yet. Its coming.
I am going to give you some advise make sure you include 1040X, 5405 form and the HUD Settlement Statement. Also, calll call callll. I stayed on them I would call like 2 times a week on Monday and Friday. Another hint I did but it is up to you. I applied money toward estimated taxes for 2010. I don’t know if that sped it up but they received July 07 and I spoke with them today and they said refund approved and should be receiving my check in a week.
UPDATE!!! After filing almost a complete year ago we finally have received a letter from the IRS stating that we get our check in 6-8 WEEKS!!!! Im not banking on it coming before the 8 weeks but it is still nice to have the end in sight!!
MAILED OFF THREE SETS OF RETURNS. THE FIRST ONE BEING ON MARCH 20TH 2010. IT IS NOT SEPTEMBER 22 AND THEY STILL SAY THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. I EVEN SENT IT CERTIFIED!!!! WE HAVE DECIDED WE ARE NEVER GOING TO RECEIVE IT.
***Update**** Called IRS today they said refund should be received in 3-4 weeks! Yay!
***Update**** Called IRS today they said refund should be received in 3-4 weeks! Yay!
Here’s an update. My check was actually scheduled to be mailed on 9/10/10. I recieved my check today. exactly 4 weeks from the date the IRS recieved my paperwork.
I can finally finish some odds and ends, I had put somethings on hold after reading some of the other poster’s delays I was afraid to keep dipping into my savings.
***Update****
Was told by tax advocate on July 20th that I was APPROVED, I would not hear anything till the end of August. I called IRS middle of August they let me know that I was not APPROVED it was still in review and it was in “quality control” what does that mean? I asked she had NO IDEA. So I received a letter yesterday saying. “that it was still under review” I would hear something by Oct 9th. I am going on 7 months I’m afraid I want get it till my 9 month. Have anyone else had problems with the Atlanta office? I will stay hopeful…
I filed on March 5, 2009, been waiting since then! I received a request for more info on April 20 and faxed that information the same day. It is now in our 7th month and I get the same crud, “it’s still processing”, “it’s out of errors”, “time frame extended from 4 to 6 weeks to 9 to 12 weeks”, etc, etc…we finally filed with the tax advocacy office because we are so fed up. They have everything they need, just give us the money! Funny thing is, we had to fax in everything all over again to the tax advocacy office, it’s such a run around and it’s so frustrating. Good to hear they will be paying interest on the time they have made us wait. Does anyone know what that percentage is? How much interest and how will they determine that? I am really hoping to get this refund by mid-September or before, but at this rate, I honestly have no expectations. I called today and was told, “it’s out of processing, you had 6 weeks, it’s been 9 weeks and now it’s in Quality Control which takes 4 to 6 weeks”, what the hell is that phase? Just give me my money!!
Well update its been since 07/07 that is when they received. Called yesterday and they advised still processing. So I just hope I can know something soon if I have to provide documentation or when to expect check. Tick Tock Tick Tock…
The IRS received my paper work on 8/11 and processed, I called them on 8/25 and was told my check would be mailed out on 9/11. Even the rep said “they normally don’t process that fast”. Don’t know why mine processed so quickly but I am glad it did. I did include my HUD 1 and also a complete copy of my contract.
We received our rebate check direct deposit, my only guess was because our original return was direct deposit.
I got the same letter. Got the check about 2 days later. I’m pretty sure I heard/read somewhere that you only get the check for the homebuyer rebate.
I closed the house on 5/21. Procrastinated and didn’t sent in the paperwork until 7/10. On 8/6, I called and was told I would receive it in 3-4 weeks. I got the check on 8/23.
Has anyone dealt with the Georgia office? If so how long did it take for you to get refund? mine is in futher processing right now and i daxed my papers to austin on august 5th and they are still sitting there and havent been sent to the georgia office yet? How do you get a tax avocate and should i contact one or what should i do. I am ready for my money and it’s so frustrating dealing with the stupid people on the other end of the line!
They got out original documents on 04/02/10.Was told it would be 6 weeks to get the return.We called and called to check on it but have gotten no where.On July 15 we got a letter they needed more info which we faxed in and were told it would take 30 days to review it. Well the 30 days is once again up and we have been waiting on our refund or any info on it for going on 5 months now.This is crazy and is really begining to piss me off. Is there anything I can do???
Really! Wow that is good news. Was yours in examination stage? Is that a good or bad thing to be in examination?
R1…we are in the same boat, mine was recieved 7-6 and the IRS told me that my rebate would be mailed out on 8-20. Yet we recieved a letter yesterday dated 8-23(?) that said we “may have received our refund already by direct deposit or mail” but if not to expect it in “approximately 2 weeks.”
Has anyone else received their refund by direct deposit? I heard of one person, which I though the IRS couldn’t do that?
I am waiting on my credit. I sent in my amended return on July 7. I’ve been calling everyday so just waiting to see. I hope it doesn’t take too long. It is now in the processing stage/ examination.
Yes, the IRS will take YOUR time, unwanted time processing to get any return/rebate processed.They are intentionally taking significantly more time reviewing, re-reviewing by multiple agents any return who has not had the tax liablity to file for years(violating particulary the majority of ADA backed people.The IRS thinks these people will complain the least…..).They do pay FULL Interest if you demand it, and in arbitrarily selected cases(no legal basis) they will fight you on a full refund(then get a free tax action lawyer, join lawsuits).They did this to me with them thinking that I’d be stupifieed by only a partial refund they recently send, the IRS taking ‘priviledge’ to put me under a totally different qualifying program stimulus then I was originally eligible for AND filed under. I will stick it to them,no matter how long(as before), keep posting and more, to make THEM perform the correct way including illegal penalties pay to me plus full interest. Done many similar things before, always, a life time of reactive, solid behavior their employees will never have ingrained, nor the Federal Government as it exists today. I don’t care about ‘them’, just me and don’t have any politeness with them in approach. Get it while you can, posters.
Sent amended return on 6-2-10, they sent a check on July 30th…to the wrong address. Even though our amended documents had the correct mailing address, the IRS sent it to our old address. Called them, and they said whenever they receive it, they will reissue, in about 2-3 weeks. Very irritating.
One mode of transmittal of requested additional information to the IRS, was denied as ever having been received, even though I had a receipted FAX.
The only reliable way I found was by certified mail,return receipt requested. Of course the correspodence being received in their mailing rooms and stamped, does not mean any agent will get around to reviewing what one sends right away.
Taxfilers having difficulty receiving their rebate refund are not told this of course, but we are subject to the IRS’s many internal rules without all the information on them. This non-transparency on the part of the IRS has led to much distrust.
The very first excuse letter I received from them denying my qualification for the 2009 rebate, I called them on. I knew about the commonly used excuse letter, and countered them with their ploy to “verify” MY address(they sure knew where to mail the letter to!) with several statements and told them to NOT wait the two or so weeks and mail me another document to fill out on my address(would have been a total thirty or more days). I had to keep insisting on the phone, that they drop that right then, circumvent the thirty more days and just straighten out my address right then and there. They did. I would never have received another correspondence from them if they continued to mail to old and older addresses, from which the post offices were no longer liable for forwarding! I’m not amazed at them finding several old, old addresses for me, but why the step in time BACKWARDS?
Update: called the IRS again today since it was 45 days after the date of the last letter I received and was told that they finally approved my refund. After 11 months. Also I had filed it as an amended 08, they closed that out at some point and reopened it as 09 but she told me today they went back and approved it from 08. Do you think they’ll pay me interest for all this time? I’m supposed to get it in 3-4 weeks so we’ll see.
UPDATE: August 6th I received my refund, by direct deposit. They paid me $90.81 interest for a refund that was filed on 1/15/2010.
Just a comment on the post by Wilder Boar. My tax advocate told me the IRS has hired temps, moved people from different departments and are working OT to try to cover all the returns. Everyone knows when you hire temps and move people to a job they don’t know, the people who are training them could probably do more work on their own instead of training, supervising and correcting errors. Just my thoughts.
I hope this process moves along faster for all of you.
I agree with Cheryl, that hiring of temps by the IRS is unproductive; especially from the standpoint of just how expediently they can be trained to produce results of a faster processing rate(questionable). Furthermore, there may be a few more chances for security breaches using outside temps and far broader chances of IRS mistakes. Additionally, putting regular and/or temp into overtime pay situations is a undue tax burden on the public. I would dread to see the IRS implement a (costly)program (at tax payer expense) to work audit their own labor cost vs.temp man hours.
One would only shudder to anticipate a simple solution to such large, broad practices of any government agency that should be operated as a tight, and streamlined business with only the goal of pure service efficiency.
Closed on 4/30/10, went “under review” on 7/12/10. I only found out when I ended up calling them myself about it. I had a panic attack when they said the words “examination unit” because I thought that I’d done something wrong. Hell, I WORK for the Federal government, I’d be the LAST one to get away with cheating on taxes!
Finding this forum has eased my mind considerably, because it appears that a lot of people have been going through this…. and that there’s been a lot of prior fraud about. As usual, the dishonest ruin it for everyone.
If the 150 days holds true in my case, I’m looking at December…. that’ll be a nice Christmas present, in any case. 😀
Today, August 6, 2010, received a PARTIAL rebate from the IRS.They still have made errors on my refund; found out calling my TAS agent this morning, they “thought” I had filed under the long term homeowners rebate! I CLEARLY filed proper refunds for the advertised then 2009, up to $8,000 FTHB rebate/refund! My IRS TAS agent, again suggested, I file a 1040X.At that I know the rest of my money owed me will take another six months to arrive here. And most likely intervention of an IRS TAS agent to get it.
Out of this entire 6+ month process to get my rebate, only ONE person at the IRS was helpful and meant it-that was my IRS TAS agent(B. Johnson) out of the Fresno, CA office.She knew my hardship issues, a couple grave. She used her skill and experience to get this to and across to the IRS Processing,over whom she has no control. She was the best.The rest of the regular and auditing IRS agents need be fired, publically shamed, and the entire IRS needs revamping STAT YESTERDAY. Somewhere long the line, some agent took the personal LIBERTY of changing my filed for up to $8,000 stimulus rebate and CHANGING it on their OWN to an entirely different program than the one which I filed under. Not too swift!
I say again, CAVEAT EMPTOR when it comes to IRS promises, IRS rebate programs advertised.I am still going ‘full guns’ after the IRS for over $200 they STILL owe me. MY money.
I will keep with this forum from time to time to update you on this next stage filing to get my full refund.Best of LUCK(for that is what it will take) to all of you.
Yes!!! I finally have an answer end of August. I filed mine in Febuary and FINALLY received an answer. Sarah you took the words out of my mouth. Frustrating, stressful, and angry. After several phone calls, getting a tax advocate, it literally took an act of congress to get my refund. All else fails contact LOCAL CONGRESSMAN. To all that are waiting don’t give up it will come.
Finally it’s here. I filed for homebuyers credit April 10, and 16 weeks or so later, I received the refund (from the Kansas City office).
DH
DH did they request additional information from you during this 16 week period?
I’m asking because they requested additional information from me, I sent it and they received it but I was wondering if it’s going to be another 6 weeks before they actually process my refund. Things seem to be moving along much more quickly now and mine is in the Kansas cit office as well.
No, there was no request for further information. I did call IRS in July when I was told that the return was in process, and 12 to 16 weeks was the requisite time needed.
I found with the IRS to not trust any verbal promises. Putting your case on some conveyor belt for any IRS agent assigned(no limitation as to number assigned to your case) to start from scratch each time(with typical IRS excuse letters making you verify and re-verifiy your residential mailing address, that you really live there, that you haven’t owned a home in over 3 years, that you are who you are, that your closing papers are the same ones you sent them several times before, that they still haven’t found your original filing forms, that you closed under as specific rebate time frame such as 2009 for the up to $8,000 rebate and NOT the 2010 $6,500 rebate, etc., etc.) is all typical of what what you will have to do.
Perhaps these agents are perpetually ‘in training’ and coaxed to ‘pass the buck’.
It will take the filer for these rebates up to two years in some cases to get a refund. I’ve gone almost seven months, and filed with a one source income hardship case.The IRS doesn’t care, their employees are kept in a job.They are not serving the public well, and have no first obligation to, anymore, like in the ‘good old days’.
This is the worst performance I’ve seen on the part of the IRS and the Federal Government to monitor the IRS’s performance in over forty years.
I did have an IRS TAS agent that I thought would be helping me to obtain my legitimate, legal, just due rebate refund, but it hasn’t happened.That agent removed themselves promptly from my case (their following of it), when they said they fulfilled what they were supposed to-“resolving”. That does not mean following to the end to make sure the regular IRS agents and people responsible for getting your refund to you, have to perform.
To open a new case with some TAS service offices, it may take them two months to get around to have time to start your case.
You are better of, I feel, contacting your Congressional representative, taking out a highway billboard, posting proliferantly online, contacting local and national media, hounding the IRS with frequent phone calls and certified mail letters(they did deny a personal fax of mine, for which I had the receipt, as always-but had told me to fax the requested information to them).
The IRS online “Where’s My Refund” site is as stupid as the Pillsbury Doughboy.
I found with the IRS to not trust any verbal promises. Putting your case on some conveyor belt for any IRS agent assigned(no limitation as to number assigned to your case) to start from scratch each time(with typical IRS excuse letters making you verify and re-verifiy your residential mailing address, that you really live there, that you haven’t owned a home in over 3 years, that you are who you are, that your closing papers are the same ones you sent them several times before, that they still haven’t found your original filing forms, that you closed under as specific rebate time frame such as 2009 for the up to $8,000 rebate and NOT the 2010 $6,500 rebate, etc., etc.) is all typical of what what you will have to do.
Perhaps these agents are perpetually ‘in training’ and coaxed to ‘pass the buck’.
It will take the filer for these rebates up to two years in some cases to get a refund. I’ve gone almost seven months, and filed with a one source income hardship case.The IRS doesn’t care, their employees are kept in a job.They are not serving the public well, and have no first obligation to, anymore, like in the ‘good old days’.
This is the worst performance I’ve seen on the part of the IRS and the Federal Government to monitor the IRS’s performance in over forty years.
I did have an IRS TAS agent that I thought would be helping me to obtain my legitimate, legal, just due rebate refund, but it hasn’t happened.That agent removed themselves promptly from my case (their following of it), when they said they fulfilled what they were supposed to-“resolving”. That does not mean following to the end to make sure the regular IRS agents and people responsible for getting your refund to you, have to perform.
To open a new case with some TAS service offices, it may take them two months to get around to have time to start your case.
You are better of, I feel, contacting your Congressional representative, taking out a highway billboard, posting proliferantly online, contacting local and national media, hounding the IRS with frequent phone calls and certified mail letters(they did deny a personal fax of mine, for which I had the receipt, as always-but had told me to fax the requested information to them).
The IRS online “Where’s My Refund” site is a stupid as the Pillsbury Doughboy.
Well we are over 7 months now. This last time that i sent something in, they rec’d it on July 6th, was told to wait 30 days(which would be this Thursday).. I called today to check status, as I have been every week …and was told another 6-8 weeks!!!!
I faxed all of my information to my local office to be assigned a tax advocate today!
Weird thing. I faxed in a request for a tax advocate on August 3rd and I call the IRS on August 4th and looks like my credit has been APPROVED!!! 🙂 they said the check will be mailed within 3-4 weeks of this Friday.
Has anybody been told this? ..if so how long did it take for you to get your check? …did it actually take the full 3-4 weeks?
HI Sarah! Congrats on this bit of info! When did you originally file and had you received a letter from the IRS stating that they were reviewing paperwork that you sent in? Just curious; that’s where I am right now and I originally filed February 21st 2010. I hope that your refund comes within that 3-4 week window! I’ll be praying for you and everyone else!
I mailed my orginial return in on January 20th 2010. Last week of March received a request for more information. Last week of May it was actually disallowed (they said they ever received more information that they requested, which is not true)
Anyhow, i then sent in the information the requested again along with:
copy of my drivers license with the new address
copy of my vehicle registration with the new address
copy of pay stub with new address
copy of mortgage statement with the new address
copy of water bill with the new address
and then i kept being told it was in processing(everytime i called they gave me a different wait time: 30 days, 45 days, 6-8 weeks) it was actually at 30 days that I got the news that it has been allowed. 🙂
I’m wishing you ALL the luck with this. It has been the most frustrating, disappointing process I’ve probably ever been through.
I know this site has kept me sane, just knowing there’s others going through the same troubles.
Let’s hope that since you only filed a month after me that you are just a few weeks away from the same good news!!
After having called the IRS again a few days ago, I was told that we actually had someone handling our case and that this person would call us. Wow, I was (almost) impressed. Well, nobody called (of course). We had been in contact with the office of our Congressman and were just about to drop off our documents and a permission for them to look into our case (our Congressman was REALLY helpful when we were in a similar situation with the Immigration Service. I really recommend that anyone with problems like this — when you just can’t get an answer from a government agency — contact their Congressman who has several really good people working hard to help their constituents with all sort of problems). However, yesterday there was a LETTER from the IRS in our mail stating that we WILL get our $8000 check (plus interest – does anyone know what that interest rate is?!). FINALLY!! We were quietly wondering if it was that last phone call that ‘did it’ and that they finally wanted to get us off their backs. I guess we will never know why it took such a long time. On the other hand, until we actually have the check in our hands, I don’t just assume that everything is resolved. Show me the money! Good luck to you others out there stuck in the same place.
I guess I should be glad to find out that I am not the only one having a problem with this but I am so frustrated I don’t know what to do. I closed on my new house on 8/28/09, mailed an amended 08 return the next day and still have not received my credit so I have been waiting almost a year now. I have called many times and always get the same answers. It wasn’t until when I called in May that someone finally told me that I had to send in additional documentation (no documentation at all was required when I first filed.) I also found out that at some point they “closed out” my amended 08 return because based on my income they did not believe I could have purchased a house. They never bothered to notify me of this or ask for proof. They have since re-opened it as an 09 return instead of 08. The taxpayer advocate service would not accept my case. I don’t know what else to do. Would it really help to contact my congressman? Are there lawyers that can help? Is there anything else I can do?
Well, we bought our house in April 2009 and submitted our amended 2008 tax return in September 2009. Wating. Waiting. They want an additional document from us in March 2010 so we send that in. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. We keep getting letter after letter saying that we should hear something in x number of weeks. It’s been going on FOREVER!!!! We’ve called the IRS several times, but they have NO information for us. We KNOW that we qualify for the rebate so WHAT THE HELL IS THEIR PROBLEM????!!!!!!!! We have loans to pay and debts to pay down and we just want to know what in the world is going on and why aren’t they telling us anything. It’s an absolute outrage that it should take ONE YEAR TO GET THIS F-NG 1ST TIME HOME BUYER TAX REBATE. It’s all a scam. We’re finally going to get our Congressman to look into this.
To ALL,
I posted this to another response last night per a promise but I wanted others to see it…
—-
WELL WELL, Guess what I found in my Mail Box tonight! Woo Whoo!
So I say to all of you, Download the Form 886-H-FTHBC.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
Follow it to the Letter like I did.
I got my Signed agreement on the offer April 26th,
Closed on house June 1st,
Mailed my 1040x, 5405 and tax return (prepared by H&R Block for $97) & all other required documents, on June 14th USPS Priority 2nd day
IRS in Texas received it June 16th
Received my check July 28th (Which was mailed to old Address and forwarded to new one)
(exactly 6 weeks)
Good Luck everyone and Hang in there
And Download this form …. Form 886-H-FTHBC. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
Later
WELL HERE IS MY STORY:
SENT IN MY 1040X ALONG WITH THE 5405 AND THE HUD CLOSING SETTLEMENT FOR MOBILE HOME ON MAY 21ST AND WAS RECEIVED BY IRS MAY 28TH. IT IS NOW JULY28 AND JUST GOT OFF PHONE WITH AGENT AND SHE TOLD ME IT WAS BEING PROCESSED BUT TO WAIT THE 8-12 WEEKS TIME. SO I GUESS I AM RIGHT ONLINE HOWEVER I DID NOT SEND ALL THE OTHER DOCS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED SUCH AS THE ORIGINAL SALES CONTRACT AND A COPY OF MY LICENSE, BANK STATEMENT, REGISTRATION, ETC. I ASKED THE AGENT IF I NEEDED ANYTHING BUT SHE SAID NOT AT THIS TIME. I ALSO HAD ADVISED HER THAT I ORIGINALLY PUT MY OLD ADDRESS INSTEAD OF THE NEW ADDRESS AND THAT MY NEW ADDRESS WAS CORRECT EXCEPT FOR THE SPACE NUMBER BUT SHE TOLD ME IT WAS UPDATED IN THE SYSTEM BUT STILL SHOWED THE INCORRECT SPACE NUMBER ON THE 5405 FORM. I HOPE THIS DOES NOT HOLD ME UP. THEY HAD TOLD ME ABOUT A MONTH AGO THAT ALL MY DOCS HAD BEEN SENT BACK BECAUSE OF REJECTION BUT TODAY SHE TOLD ME THEY HAD ACTUALLY BEEN MAILED TO ANOTHER IRS OFFICE. I SENT TO THE FRESNO OFFICE, DON’T KNOW WHERE IT IS NOW BUT AN BEING CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. WELL LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, I REALLY FEEL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO BEEN WAITING SINCE MARCH OR BEFORE, I ONLY HOPE I HAVE GOOD LUCK AND OF COURSE GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE I KNOW WE ALL NEED THE MONEY BECAUSE OF ALL THE EXPENSES INCURRED DURING A MOVE.
Hi, does anyone have any experience with the Ogden, UT office? My tax return has been sitting there since March, I sent in my HUD and additional information the first week of May, and every 30 days i received a letter saying they need 30 more days. It’s now 2 weeks since the last notice expired and they appear to have given up sending me letters. A call to the IRS said “we can’t contact tax offices, you just have to wait”
Scott, Call 800-829-0582 Ext. 462. I have been calling that office every week. I haven’t called in 2 weeks because I requested that my case be assigned to a Tax Advocate. It was assigned and he called me directly. Everytime I called the above number I had to wait 10 to 15 minutes, but a person answered that was able to bring up my file in the computer and tell me my status. I have been receiving correspondence from the Cincinnati, OH office. Good Luck! I’ve been waiting since 4/23/10 and no home credit yet. However, the advocate did inform me that my case has been approved and should receive a response in approximately a month.
Yes, my step-son is in the area supported by the Ogden office. He got a letter stating his check will be mailed in a month. Still waiting. He has been waiting since February. When he calls, they just tell him he is in the system, and they don’t need any further information. This is a bunch of BS.
4/29/2010 – Settled
5/6/2010 – IRS acknowledeld receipt of ammended return and hud 1 (signed by all parties)
6/17/2010 – began calling weekly for updates
7/8/2010 – Said it was being processed
7/24/2010 – Received letter from IRS requesting hud 1, driver’s license, bank statement, mortgage statement
7/24/2010 – mailed all that stuff back to them – priority
7/27/2010 – contacted tax payer advocate—I don’t feel like dealing with this anymore
I mailed my stuff out via normal mail on June 7, 2010. My refund check was mailed on July 23 and I received it today, July 26, 2010. I live in Indiana and I sent it to the Fresno office. After reading all the scary comments here about the Fresno office, I didn’t think I would get it back so soon, but I did……just a little over 6 weeks. Woohhhoooo! For those of you who would like to call, I used the number that was posted here and got through very easily. The woman told me that my check would be mailed on July 23 and it certainly was! I will repost the number here: 800-829-0582 EXT. 462
I got my refund today. I sent it out certified on 6/18/10 and received my check today 7/26/10. I was not even expecting it to come before October. I just don’t understand why some of us are getting it so quickly and others are waiting months.
Good luck to everyone!
Patty,
That fits my timeline. I hope I get me back soon. If I get it in the next few days I will post back.
I too was beginning to think it would be Sept-Oct before I got mine. We shall see.
CONGRATS!
WELL WELL, Guess hat I found in my Mail Box tonight! Woo Whoo!
So I say to all of you, Download the Form 886-H-FTHBC.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
Follow it to the Letter like I did.
I got my Signed agreement April 26th,
Closed on house June 1st,
Mailed my 1040x and tax return (prepared by H&R Block for $97) & all other required documents, on June 14th USPS Priority 2nd day
IRS in Texas received it June 16th
Received my check July 28th (Which was mailed to old Address and forwarded to new one)
Good Luck everyone and Hang in there
And Download this form …. Form 886-H-FTHBC. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
Later
Hi Patty,
I am getting ready to send my information in…can you tell me exactly what I need to submit because everybody is telling different…I went to the IRS office they gave me form 8886-h-fthbc to go by but when I called the 800# they told something different…I am amending my return and these are the paperwork I have my HUD-1, 5405, 1040X and copies of my pay stub. They also ask for automobile registration,drivers license and bank statement with current address which I don’t have. I ask the IRS agent they told me that my utility bill would be fine but I don’t know for sure….Please help
Thank you.
KSY
KSY,
Its all right here in this IRS form http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
Download it and print it out….
You need the following:
Current Tax form or Form 1040X if Amending,
Form 5405,
Hud-1 Settlement Statement,
A Copy of the Montly Mortage Statement, If Cash, copy of cancelled check,
if new construction – copy of occupancy permit,
AND AT LEAST TWO of the following:
A copy of your Driver License with Name and new address
A copy of your Auto registration with Name and new address
A Copy of your Bank Statement with Name and new address
A Copy of recent pay stub with Name and new address
Jim,
The only thing I have with my new address are my paystubs, mortage statement, utility bills, water bill and home insurance policy. Will it do? My license still shows the old address but I wrote the new address on the back of my license. I bought my house last June but never got around to changing the address. When I called the IRS on Monday he told me I would also need a copy of a binding contract. I have no clue what that is. Is it a purchase and sales agreement or warranty of deed?
KSY,
You need to click this link an download this form from the IRS
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
It has everything on it.
If you do not have AND AT LEAST TWO of the following:
A copy of your Driver License with Name and new address
A copy of your Auto registration with Name and new address
A Copy of your Bank Statement with Name and new address
A Copy of recent pay stub with Name and new address…
.. to go with all the other required documents, then I suggest to get them.
If they decide to audit your claim, it sets you back weeks everytime they have to contact you for more information.
KSY
The Binding Contract is the contract you and the Seller SIGNED (both signatures) with your OFFER to buy the house. A copy of it should be in the CLOSING papers.
Hello KSY,
You need forms 5405, 1040X, make sure you fill them out properly, read the instructions.
If you just bought a house (oppose to mobile home or constructing a house) then you need to send in the HUD-1 Settlement Statement. All other documentation is supporting documentation for the IRS. IRS has to do research to ensure its not fraud, so if you send them the proof, the process will go a lot quicker. It would be good to include the Closing Contract that has your name, sellers name, date of purchase, address and signatures, also the pay stub has your current address – thats what they are looking for, any official paper that has your new address, this includes utility bills, updated drivers license, bank statement.
So you MUST send:
1. 5405
2. 1040X
3. HUD-1 Settlement Statement with name of buyer, seller, date of purchase and signatures
Should also send:
1. Closing Contract
2. Utilitiy bill of other document with new address
3. pay stub (maybe to prove you do not make more than the limit requires)
Since the tax season is over, the credits are getting processed a lot quicker. Peopler are getting their returns in less than a month! Be sure to include as much information/proof as possible, because if they send you a letter requesting more information, they say they can take up to another 12 weeks to process it and it could get sent to audit.
Good Luck!!!
I have been reading so many horror stories on message boards like this one, about peoples troubles with the home buyers credit. Mine went kinda smoothly, but to help along the process i would suggest the following:
1. Be sure to included the correct paper work along with extra (1040X, 5040, HUD settlement statment and closing papers) To cut down the ‘research’ the IRS has to do, include a copy of your lisence with the new address or some utilitiy bills with your name and new address. What they need is proof of your new residence. If you had prior propertys, send in the documentation proving the duration and times you lived there so you dont get denied due to their bad informatoin. Make sure all the required informatoin is on the forms like the signatures of both parties, date of closing, price, etc. Sounds silly, but there are states that dont require signatures, and so people forget, but the IRS requires it.
2. Once you’ve mailed in the amended return, CALL THE IRS to confirm they have received it – 800.829.0582 ext 462. Because its an amended return, you can not use the Wheres my Refund website or automated number.
3. Once IRS has confirmed they received your return, validate the IRS has the correct change of address. You should validate this everytime you call the IRS, as everytime you call you’ll probably get a different answer.
4. Call every week to ensure there is no issues, even if they say its been processed. If there is an issue, the IRS most likely will not contact you.
5. You only need to call once a week, IRS updates their systems on the weekends, so if you call more than once within the same week, you will get the same answer.
6. Be nice! If you are nice, the IRS person will do thier best to help you. If you have an attitude, they could careless for your issues. Just think about it, they take calls all day long from angry people that demand their money, if you had to do that, you would be miserable too!
7. If there is an issue, be sure to ask what documents you need to send in to prove them wrong and make sure to get the fax number! As snail mail will take way to long and its always a possiblitiy it gets lost in the mail. Once you fax the papers, call to ensure they actually received them!
8. If you think you are going to wait til next year to file for the credit with your normal taxes, think again! Its better to start the process now! because it takes so long, and who knows what will happen next year!
9. Since the tax rush is coming to an end, the credits are getting processed much faster! People that filed after June seem to be getting their refunds back quick than people that filed in April/May.
I closed on my house May 28th and sent in the paperwork that day
IRS processed my paperwork on 7/6
On 7/19 IRS said the check will be sent out on 7/30
Good luck to everyone!
Does anybody know if the “Where’s My Refund” status will update on the website even after they’ve disallowed the credit and then you prove that you ARE elligable?
…because I still check it and today it just now says that they have no information available. So it’s making me think that maybe somethings going to happen with mine??? 🙂
…wishful thinking I’m sure 🙁
I am going on 5 months! I was under “review” in May. Sent paperwork that had my physical address on it. Have anyone had problems if they had a po box? I am running into that problem. I am 1st time homebuyer, I have had my po box for 5 years.
My advocate called today. He said the IRS has decided that they will ‘allow’ my refund for the 1st time homebuyers credit. I love their wording! LOL Anyway, he has no date yet, probably within 2 weeks. I’ll report back when I get the money.
I sent mine in Sept 2009. It went into review twice, and I called a bunch of times, and followed up every letter that said it’s still under review and give them 30 more days. I just got a letter on Friday that my check will arrive in 6 to 8 weeks, I’m hoping it will be sooner than the 6 to 8. So I feel for you guys, it will be close to under a year to finally get the check. I’ll let you know when I get mine.
Congrats! I got the same letter today after being in review 3 times since last July. Here’s to finally getting our checks and please let one year of interest be worth it!
This is absolutely unacceptable. My step-son bought a house in October 2009. He sent his return in for the $8000 credit February 2010. All the paper work was right. The IRS did say they have it, and he’s in the system. It is now July 22, 2010, and after lots of phone calls he’s still waiting for his check. I’ll guarantee if he owed the IRS they’d be attaching his paycheck and bank account by now. This fiasco is a prime example of your tax dollars and government at work.
Send it in on May 26th 2010,they recieved it May 28.2010. As of July 10th 2010 it is under review.
Hello everybody. I’ve been reading all these posts for a couple of months now but haven’t posted anything. Let me know if anbody has had this happen and if so, if you’ve been successful yet… here’s my story:
11/17/09 – closed on my 1st home
01/21/10 – dropped tax return off at post office
03/10 – was givin a date of 04/06/10 for return to be direct deposited into my acct
04/09/10 – status on website changed and rec’d a letter in the mail missing hud-1
(had already mailed that in attached to my return but refaxed anyhow)
04/09/10 – faxed hud-1 in on the same day letter was rec’d.
4/16-10 – called irs and was told they rec’d “correspondance via fax” on 4/9/10 but couldn’t tell me what was rec’d but to give it 6-8 weeks to process.
Called back a few times in the mean time but was told to wait out the full 8 weeks before calling back.
June 4th would have been the full 8 weeks. Well end of May the status on the website changed and said “the amount of your tax return has been changed. $$$ will be deposited into your account on May 28th and you will receive a letter explaining the changes made”
So… on May 28th the portion non related to the First Time Homebuyers Credit was deposited into my account.
So on June 7th I rec’d the letter that stated I was denied the credit because they never rec’d my Hud-1!!!!!!!! AHHHH seriously? YES YOU DID!! more than once!!
Anyways on June 22nd I mailed in the letter they sent me, with a letter stating why I don’t agree(which is what it said to do) and then yet another copy of my Hud-1, a copy of my DL with new address, copy of my vehicle registration with new address, copy of check stub with new address, copy of bank statement with new address, copy of mortgage statement with new address, copy of my water bill with new address on it…
07/09/10 – called IRS and they stated they rec’d “correspondance” from me on July 2nd and that it is “processing” and that they won’t have any information for me for 30 days. SOOO.. now I’m waiting until August 5th.. and trying to be as patient as possible.
Anybody have anything like this happen to them? and if so what has been your outcome thus far?
I mailed my correspondance to Atlanta Georgia office. I’m from Iowa but was told this was the location to send it to.
Any replies would be welcome and helpful. Thanks
If you filed for the First Time Home Buyer Credit with your original taxes, and requested direct deposit, it will be direct deposited.
If you amended your prior year taxes to get the first time home buyer tax credit, you will get a check mailed to you. (dont understand why they cant just Direct Deposit it, helloooo its year 2010!)
I bought a house and sent in my amended papers on May 28, 2010.
On 7/6/10 IRS said they could finally see my papers in their system and they’ve been approved and i had to wait up to 2 weeks for a check date to be assigned (date check is sent).
On 7/19/10 IRS told me the check woud be sent out on 7/30/10, with $83 interest.
So by the time i actually get the check, it will be about 10 weeks.
The advocate called this morning. He said the IRS is now asking for an extension until 8/02/10. Considering they gave me a date of 8/23/10 when I first spoke to the advocate I’m not sure just how that’s an extension, but whatever. LOL Advocate will be in Pittsburgh for training until 8/10/10, so if the refund doesn’t happen before then he will call me when he gets back to his office. He said then if it hasn’t happened my case gets bumped up to his supervisor who can require them to work on mine immediately. So we’ll see how this goes.
I have been waiting 17 .5 weeks with no contact what so ever from the IRS. I have called twice with no help in site.
Hello,
On Oct. 19, 2009 we bought our first home ( owner financed).I electronicall filed our regular tax return and got it about 10 days later (direct deposit). On Feb 24, 2010 I mailed the amemded retrun with the contract for purchase and a copy of all the paperwork the seller gave us along with the form 5405. We have not received the first letter or anything from the IRS to date. We have a tax advocate and he only talks to us once a month, which is frustrating within itself. About 45 days ago we received a call from him stating that the IRS has denied our claim due to they found documents of a mortgage with our names on it. We told him that that was a TIMESHARE that we had bought into a few years ago. I faxed him the documents that clearly showed it was a TIMESHARE. He called back the next day to say that the IRS was being “silly” because they should have been able to see that. He made his monthly call last week to say ” there is NOTHING to report” . There has been “NO CHANGE” in the progress of our claim. He did say that the IRS agreed that it was a TIMESHARE and so they are continuing to review our case. My husband calls the IRS about every other week but they just keep telling him that they have NOTHING TO REPORT. I get on the IRS website and it tells me “they have nothing “. My husband has been unemployed since Dec. so we could REALLY use this money. After reading all the posts prior to mine, I can see we are not in this alone but …..MAN!!!
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me, PLEASE REPLY to this post. Thank You!!
My wife and I ammended our 2008 return in Nov 09 for our credit. Wwe have been stuck in review land since then. only getting letters that state we are sorry but we havent been able to review yet giving ourselfs xxx number of days. I am sure some of you have got these same letters. well today after almost 9 months we got a letter stating they are allowing our amendment and we should have our check in another 6-8 weeks.. I guess we will see how that goes. but at least its something different than the “we havent even looked at your paperwork yet” letter. It just makes me mad because they can take their sweet time but if we owed them money, they would be garnishing wages, stealing from my savings or any other means they want to use to get their money.
I received my rebate June 27th…direct deposit. Sent forms to Fresno office. I feel for all of you who are stuck in limbo waiting for your rebate… I used mine to pay off credit card debt, we all have somewhere that money can be put to use. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for all of you stuck in the waiting game.
Betty – Have they assigned you an advocate? I’m asking because at least then you only deal with one person, not whoever answers the phone at IRS. Also, he was able to give me an estimated return date. It is subject to change but at least it’s something.
I think my case went under formal review about the same time as yours, but I didn’t get asked for further information until I was assigned an advocate which was around the middle of June.
Cheryl, No, I haven’t been assigned an advocate yet. I called today 7/20 and was told that as of 7/3 my case went under review again and they have 45 days. That takes it to 8/17. It’s such a frustrating process that I’m just going to wait until 8/17 to make another move. If I’m not satisfied then I’ll insist on an advocate. I was told that things got backed up due to past fraud. It’s a shame that it takes some dishonest people to mess things up for the majority honest ones out there.
Thanks for your response to my comment and good luck with your case. Hope your estimated return date doesn’t change.
I sent mine in 2/15/10, Got letter sent back saying they needed more information. They said they got all doc’s on 4/6/10 so that is my start time on this LOOOONNNG process. After MANY calls to IRS. I was told I was selected to be reviewed. I called two weeks later to check on this review and they said one it was approved. I do know they update all info at the end of the week so Friday I suggest calling on a Tuesda, I am in Arizona. Longest hold time for me was 10-15 min. A week later I called and my check would be cut 7/16/10. I did get direct depo. for my 2009 taxes. Checked my account this am and not deposit. I am going to assume I will get it via mail. Do any of you know at th is point how long it took to geyt your check. I know they say 7-10 days.but…just wonder if anyone got it sooner.
Just curious: Anybody on here been “under review” and received their refund yet? “Under review” meaning, they asked for additional documents for proof of primary residency..(ie.. auto registration, paystubs, bank statements, moving contract.). It seems to me that once you are in the land of “review” you never come out. Many from 2009.
Yes Jenny, I’ve been in the”land of review” since 4/23/10 when they received additional requested documents. I had to submit paperwork proving that I live in the house I purchased, such as copies of drivers license and registrtion, paystub with my new address, bank statement with new address. I also added a copy of my car insurance card with my new address. Still waiting, although I have called five times since then. It’s really frustrating. I bought a house with the thought that I would receive 8000.00 to ease the financial burden of owning a house for the first time (realizing that unexpected house expenditures may incur). Instead, frustration and disappointment in our govenment increased.
Jen – I just went back and read your previous post. What are they asking you for now, that they didn’t ask for in the original request?
Have you called your Congressman? I’m giving mine until the 8/23/10 date but if I am still getting that it’s been assigned to someone at that time, I am calling my Congressman.
I asked my advocate today if they don’t do these in some kind of chronological order and he said yes they do, but it’s when the file lands on his desk, not our original filing date.
Jim, according the instructions for the revised Form 5405 the information you need to include is:
Completed revised Form 5405
Copy of HUD-1 closing statement with all signatures
If new construction, copy of occupancy permit
If contract for Deed, you need to send completed contract
Where the supporting documents come into play is if your return is pulled for review. Now, granted if you’ve already sent in more than they’ve asked for and yours get pulled, you may or may not have to resubmit the documentation. I had one lady at the IRS tell me that any returns that are pulled for review require additional information because the additional information you mail in with your return is NOT stored with your return. She actually said they are in a warehouse somewhere. So much for security of all our private information.
Anyway, I am one of those who have been waiting the longest. I filed ALL required documentation on 01/16/2010. I just got off the phone with my advocate. He’s telling me that the IRS is just too far behind. My estimated return date is still 8/23/2010, but that is subject to change this coming week. He will get updated on his cases on 7/20/2010 so he will be able to tell me more then. He could tell me that my case has been assigned to someone, so that is progress of some sort.
I feel ya. I’ve been waiting since July of LAST year. I was told to wait until next month to call back again. I have been stuck in review since December and they always told me they needed something else. I realize that they are slow but this is rediculous. How much proof do you need to realize that I live here and that I own this house and that I didn’t own one in the last 3 years? It isn’t that dificult. They just seem to make it that way.
Cheryl,
If you did not included AT LEAST TWO of the following:
A copy of your Driver License with Name and new address
A copy of your Auto registration with Name and new address
A Copy of your Bank Statement with Name and new address
A Copy of recent pay stub with Name and new address
Then you did not have a copy of the Sept 2009 revised Form 886-H-FTHBC.
Jim – Not to split hairs but these are the instructions on the REVISED 5405 form:
What To Attach to Your Return
If you claim the credit on your 2009 (or later) original or amended tax return, you must attach the following documentation regarding your main home (as applicable). If you do not attach the documentation, the credit may not be allowed.
Attach a copy a of your settlement statement showing all parties’ names and signatures, the property address, the contract sales price, and the date of purchase. In most cases, your settlement statement is your properly executed Form HUD-1, Settlement Statement. In locations where the signatures of the buyer and seller are not required, the IRS encourages the buyer to sign the settlement statement before attaching it to the tax return—even if the settlement statement does not include a signature line.
If you are unable to obtain a settlement statement because you purchased a mobile home, attach a copy of your executed retail sales contract showing all parties’ names and signatures, the property address, the purchase price, and the date of purchase.
If you are claiming the credit for a newly constructed home and you do not have an executed settlement statement, attach a copy of your certificate of occupancy showing your name, the property address, and the date of the certificate.
Additional documentation. You should also attach the following documentation, if applicable, to avoid delays in the processing of your return and the issuance of any refund.
If you checked the “Yes” box on line C, attach a copy of the pages from a signed contract to make a purchase showing all parties’ names and signatures, the property address, the purchase price, and the date of the contract.
If you are claiming the credit as a long-time resident of the same main home, attach copies of one of the following: Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement (or substitute statement), property tax records, or homeowner’s insurance records. These records should be for 5 consecutive years of the 8-year period ending on the purchase date of the new main home.
That’s it. Like I said, including the extra documentation can only be helpful but there is nowhere in the instructions for that form that asks that they be included.
The form you are referencing is the form the IRS refers to when they ask for additional documentation, no where is it mentioned on the 5405 form or the instructions.
Cheryl,
Oh your ARE spliting hair alright. And if you want to waste your time and more money waiting and waiting and waiting, then by ALL MEANS ignore the Form 886-H-FTHBC. The copy of this form I originally had was given to me at closing. I then went to H&R Block and they TOLD me the 5405 could not be filed without the supporting documents shown on the REVISED SEPT 2009 Form 886-H-FTHBC because of all the FRAUD before SEPT 2009. And that if I did not, it would be REJECTED.
So by all means Ignore the Form 886-H-FTHBC.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
Later.
Mshock, Yes. All this is due to the extreme fraud that went on before Sept 2009 when people were allowed to file electronically for the Credit. I believe those that are having so mush delay are the ones who are being pulled for audits and did not provide all the required documentation for proof of a REAL Purchase of a home. Its always the Bad people that make it difficult for the honest people. I even sent a copy of my contract with dates and signatures. HR Block may have charged me $97 but I believe in the long run it will pay off. I had an older, unrevised copy of the Form 886-H-FTHBC. I would never have sent half the stuff in with my 1040X and 5404 that I finally decided to send. I will post that link again.
Revised Sept 2009 Form 886-H-FTHBC… http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
Wishing us All the best of Luck!
Hi Everyone,
I am fed up with this CRAP! I sent my amendment the first week of March 2010. I waited 8 weeks to call the IRS because of their guidelines and they told me to check back in a couple of weeks. That’s fine I told myself give them a couple of weeks. One month has passed now we’re in 12 weeks; the person told me they have not seen the paperwork but that doesn’t mean that it’s not there and maybe the person that is looking into it did not post it or something and again call back in a couple of weeks and if I’m missing something I will get a letter in the mail stating it but I haven’t gotten anything in the mail. On July 6 2010, I called again which is the 16th week and the representative told me that my paperwork is not there and that I have to re-send my paperwork and I asked her how long would it take, you know what she told me “ABOUT THE SAME TIME 8-12 WEEKS”. I called again the next day and explain my situation that I had already sent in my Amended Tax return on March 5th 2010 and he said the same thing as the other lady we don’t have it. I said to him if you don’t have it how come when I called you the first time you people didn’t tell me then. He told me to re-send the original forms and I told him how can I send you the original when I already mailed it back in March. He was like well we don’t know if you really sent it in. The way he said it sounds like I was lying to him. So I checked online to see who can help I got a hold of an advocate she brush me off. She said well if they said they didn’t get it then they didn’t get it and for me to re-send the forms. I don’t mind re-sending it; it’s the simple fact that they should have told me this the first time I called. Does anyone know what I need to re-send?…I have copies of the 1040X, 5405, warranty of deed and insurance declaration. Ain’t nothing but a scam run by the U.S. Government misleading us by offering something good and then screwing us over and there’s nothing we can do about it. The advocates aren’t there to help us they are the to stall us.
KSY,
You can go here and see the Revised Sept 2009 Form 886-H-FTHBC
i thas all the requirements. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f886hfth.pdf
You need the following:
Current Tax form or Form 1040X if Amending,
Form 5405,
Hud-1 Settlement Statement,
A Copy of the Montly Mortage Statement, If Cash, copy of cancelled check,
if new construction – copy of occupancy permit,
AND AT LEAST TWO of the following:
A copy of your Driver License with Name and new address
A copy of your Auto registration with Name and new address
A Copy of your Bank Statement with Name and new address
A Copy of recent pay stub with Name and new address
Hope this helps.
Jim T
Jim T,
Are you serious? The instructions for the 5405 only mention the HUD-1, 5405, 1040x, and a copy of the purchase contract (and they say the purchase contract is only necessary if proof is needed that you had a ratified contract before May 1st). I’ve also seen several posts from people on here who received their refund in a reasonable timeframe and only submitted what I mentioned above. I understand that more items might be required if someone is selected for an audit, but I hope you don’t mean that anyone who sends a package that doesn’t contain all of the items on your list will be delayed. If that’s the case then a lot of people will be furious for not having this information spelled out in the 5405.
I sugned a contract on the house April 26 and Closed on June 1. Mailed (USPS Priority 2nd day to Austin) my Amended Tax Return, 1040X, 5405, Hud1, copy of signed Contract, Driver Lic with new address and Auto registration with new address on June 14. I almost did this on my own but was not clean on how to complete the forms, so I paid HR BLOCK. So glad I did because they had an updated reqirement sheets. Well, its been 4 weeks and have not had a peep. Have not called the number and have decided I will not until 7 or 8 weeks have passed. Hoping I will have a surprise one day in the mail box in a few more weeks. These stories on here scare me. Anyone else do all the things I have and sent to Austin around the same time? If so post back if you have heard anything.
I filed my 2009 return 12 weeks ago, including request for home buyers credit, to Kansas City office. I phoned IRS today and was told that my return was “in process” (feel like Kafka’s Joseph K?), and that the office predicts a 12 to 16 week period before completing “the process.” Call in August 19 if I haven’t heard anything by then. They’re swamped, and are not helped by buyers credit returns having to be on paper and not electronic..
DHeld
I bought my house on 12/07/2009. I had to wait until 01/15/2010 to file because I needed the revised 5405 form(if you bought after 11/07/2009 you had to use the new form). So, I filed on 01/16/2010. Had to mail it in because of sending HUD-1. IRS didn’t acknowledge they had received it until 03/15/2010. One week later it said my return would be direct deposited by 03/31/2010. Around 03/25/2010 they revised that to saying my return is being reviewed and they have no further information. Since that time I have been told many different things. Give it 30 days, give it 45 days, give it 1 week, give it another week. One person at the IRS told me that if I had to call back again without resolution that my case would be turned over to an advocate and it would have to be settled within 7 days. Well, on 06/14/2010 it was finally turned over to an advocate. I had to fax him my HUD-1, 5405, both which had already been sent with original return AND updated DL with new address, recent mtg. statement, recent bank statement and copies of all utilities showing the home I bought as my address. I faxed all of this to him the next day. Talked to him to be sure he got everything. Then he told me he would forward everything to the IRS and their expected return date is 08/23/2010. He is on vacation until 07/14/2010, he said not to call him back until 07/16/2010. The wording on the IRS website concerning my return changed slightly so I called them to see if anything had changed but since I am working with an advocate, they can’t discuss anything with me. I, like so many others plan to use this money on my house. Now I’m just hoping I get it before it gets too cold to do outside work.
Hello All, I received a letter from the IRS on Friday stating that they have my information that I sent in on the 21st of June. I’m in what is called examinations. The letter says to wait 30 days before I call to give them enough time to review the paperwork. Other than that, I’m still waiting…..
I filed my tax return on 2/8/10. I got half of my return the next day and then we ammended the return for the homebuyer tax. It was sent out by mail on 2/12/10. I called them about a month after and they said they recieved the return on 2/22/10 and it would take 8-12 weeks. Finally on 5/24/10 I got paperwork stating they needed more paperwork. Mind you all the paperwork they needed was the exact paperwork that was sent in with the return in the first place! I went and copied the paperwork and sent it out on 5/28/10. I called the IRS on 6/22/10 to see if I could get some answers and they said they recieved it on 6/11/10 and it would be 30-45 days before I would know anything. That same day when I got the mail there was a letter from the IRS stating they recieved the new paperwork on 6/1/10 and I would know something within 30 days. Today 7/12/10 I called because it has been 30 days according to the letter, and they said it wasn’t even reviewed yet! They said to give it another month! I am so confused on where I should go from here because all I am getting is the run around, I know I have rights but what rights would I have in this case and how should I deal with it. I need my money and I want some interest on it for having to wait so long. Anything would be helpful! Thanks
Update: For the last 3 weeks we have been working with a tax advocate and she is amazing! It only took one week from working with her for the IRS to send us noitfication. Unfortunately we were just denied unless we can show proof that we did not live in a home that my husband owned within the last three years. So a word of advice, if you have owned a rental home, vacation property, etc in the last three years the IRS is going to make you send them some serious paperwork, so get it together now! They want all of our lease agreememts for the past 4 years, energy and or phone bills, W2’s (showing our address), and any other piece of paper showing our address for the past years. This takes time and they only give you 30 days, so if you are like me, and dont keep paperwork that long you will be in a rush.
UPDATE: I also received my check today for $8,032.50 from the Austin, TX office. Mine’s was sent to the Atlanta, GA office. Originally mailed June 3rd, so total time was a little less then 6 wks. Hope this helps and don’t give up hope!
I made a post on Saturday that we had bought a house 5/10/10 and sent the papers in on 5/21 snail mail with no response as of yet, so this is an update — I just called the number listed above w/ext 462 and was told that our check was mailed this past Friday.
Here are my facts:
Our 2009 return was filed in February, so this was an amended return.
We sent it regular mail
We went out of the Austin office
Our original return was elecronic and was direct deposit, however, they are mailing our check AND, there was no place on the amended form to ask for direct deposit. The lady told me that they don’t do direct deposit for amended returns. Hope this helps someone — so, that was 7 weeks from mail date.
Oh yeah, and…..I only sent in the HUD form, the amendment papers and the 5405x — nothing else required.
Congrats on getting your return. I am happy for you, but I am pissed about my situation, My return was sent to Fresno. I closed on my house on April 30, 2010. Amended return was received on May 17th. No news yet. Its just processing. The rep said there were no issues with my amended return, but BOI do i need my money for updating of things in my house
UPDATE: I received my check today for 8066.00 along with a letter showing my adjustment. My check was mailed on friday 7/9 and the check is from the irs austin, tx my return was sent to the fresno, ca location. So it doesn’t matter where you mail it check will mail out of austin, tx or kansis city. It was a total of 9wks. Well I hope this info helps and good luck to everybody.
Well I called the same day of my original posting on this website. I was told that they finished reviewing my case and to call back mid to end of next week to see if I’m eligible and an approximate date I should be receiving the first home buyer credit (accoding to my calculations provided by IRS I’m eligible for a full credit…so I don’t know what they mean to check eligibiity status…as I’m a new home buyer and don’t owe money to IRS). Will let you know what information I receive.
I’m grateful to have stumbled upon this site. It eases my mind knowing I’m not the only one “in the same insane boat.”
@ldmszm … I mailed mine’s on June 3rd, with a copy of my original return, a copy of the “new” return showing the FTHBTC, the 1040X form, form 5405, HUD-1 settlement statement (signed) and a copy of all the contract paperwork when my offer was accepted. I also called 2 weeks after mailing it to update my address with the IRS directly (of course, they hadn’t processed my amendment yet).
I’m totally frustrated with the whole process. I filed my taxes included necessary forms for first time home buyer credit 3/1/10. They sent me a letter indicating I needed proof of address (a minimum of 3 proofs!). They received everything they requested 4/23/10. It’s 7/9/10 and nothing yet. I’ve called on 4 occassions and response was that they are behind. The last letter I received indicated I would get a response by 7/7/10. Nothing yet…..I bought a house relying on the credit to furnish my new home, as I wanted to start my life fresh after a divorce. I as a consumer feel I have no control over the process that is taking too long. The excuse is that they are behind. Oh! Get this…..they told me that people who were not eligible for first time home buyer credit applied and got it. Congress in turn told IRS to increase their scrutiny of paperwork to make certain people are in fact eligible. So in essence, the people who are trying to cheat the government actually created the back log.
I have back tax debt so I’m hoping the IRS will be motivated to process mine quicker since they can withhold a portion of it to pay off the debt. The federal government doesn’t think opportunistically (or logically for that matter) like private enterprise so I’m probably getting my hopes up. It would be a real relief to free up that $500 installment I’m having to pay them every month.
Any July 9th release daters receive their credit by Direct Deposit that had their original return direct deposited?? No where on the 1040x or 5405 form does it allow you to enter that info, but some are saying that’s how they received their credit. Thanks 🙂
I’m a July 9th-er and I didn’t receive mine’s by direct deposit. However, what I noticed with everyone that said they received their amendments with the FTHBTC via direct deposit were all from the Fresno, CA office.
I did see it usually deposited the saturday after the friday release date so i.ll keep others updated if it does indeed come direct deposit, however i had to use the kansas city, mo office.
I had to use the Atlanta, GA office.
When did you mail yours in?
Mailed mine at the end of april, it got returned by the post office for postage the last day or so of april, so they probably didn’t actually receive ours until the beginning of may, but were still told july 9th
If you are “under review”, good luck. Every time the IRS asks for something else, expect to wait at least another 90 days for them to look at it. We filed in January. I called today and the IRS said not to call again for at least another 45 days from today. (After August 24th). The woman was rude. My guess is it probably doesn’t do any good to keep on calling, its a waste of time. Sorry to sound so negative about the whole thing. Its turning me into a basket case. For those who have been waiting since last year!! OMG. Soooo frustrating.
Jenny, I am going through the “under review” bull. I think it is such a waste of time. Although when I called they didn’t tell me not to call back but they did tell me that they hadn’t reviewed it yet and it could be another month for them to look at it. I was supposed to have an answer the first of this month but of course I don’t. I just want to know what we can do about all this, we must have some rights for this tax.
I submitted mine the end of November. I got a letter stating I will receive a response by second week of July. I understood that I was going to have to wait, and from what I’ve read, it looks like I’ve gotten it the worst so far. I better get some good interest!
I’ve read through just about all these comments, and it looks like I have filed the most recent amendment…I closed on 6/25 and on 6/30 I sent my 1040x, 5405, HUD-1, and copy of the purchase contract (to prove that we had a radification date before May 1st). Lot of horror stories here, and I sympathize with everyone who’s had a bad experience, but I’m hoping my process will go a little smoother since I’m among the last trickle of new claims.
800-829-0582 ext. 462
hello, I am responding to the statement that you can’t go on the website to get your refund status. What number do you call.
UPDATE: Called IRS on 6/28 was told my check will be mailed on 7/9 8k plus $66 in interest. Was told it could take 7-10 days for mailing. Total wait was 9wks (fresno loc) without adding mailing time. Would have been 8wks but the address change delayed it by one week. Will post once check comes.
I thought I should post my results for others to read. I am a first time homebuyer, closed on March 9, 2010. Sent my ammended 2009 return May 5, 2010. Only sent the required documents, no copy of drivers license, no mortgage statement, just the 1040X, 5405, and HUD statement. After reading comments on here I figured I was in for the long haul, and would need to send additional documentation. I live in Missouri and sent the ammended return to the Kansas City office, (correct office for my area). Called the IRS (1800 829-0582 extension 462) yesterday (6/28/2010) as mentioned in previous posts, asked if the package was recieved in the system, gave required verification information and was told my tax credit was approved and should be mailed out the 7/9/2010, which would be 9 weeks from the date I mailed the ammendment. Said if I didn’t receive within 2 weeks from then, to call back.
So as long as they send the tax credit when they are scheduled to, I receive it at 2 weeks from then, my total wait time from mailing would be 11 weeks.
I hope everyone that is having troubles gets them figured out, and good luck to all the homebuyers. But my situation is at least something to compare to on the faster end of things, at least I think so.
Well, I first posted on Jan 18th and at that time was already waiting for 28 weeks. Well guess what, it is now June 29th and I am still waiting. I have had to send in more things than I would have ever though possible. I cna’t believe I haven’t had to send in a child at this point. I keep calling and they say that they haven’t had time to review it yet. It has been sitting on the examiners desk for 3 months now with the latest paperwork. The tax advisors I have talked to say they can’t help me here. I am getting so frustrated and don’t know what to do about it.
Which IRS office did you send your paperwork to?
My parent’s $8,000 was direct deposited on Friday 6/25…it only took 10 weeks out of the Fresno, CA IRS office. It all depends if you put direct deposit with you bank info on the amended return. When I received mine back in November 09′ I waited nearly 3 mos and it was a paper check mailed to me.
There was no place to put bank info and either the 1040x or 5405!
I called this morning and they said July 9th for a release date 🙂 but they stated it could take 7-10 days after that…can anyone clue me in on about how long after the release date you received your check in the mail?
I received mine also on Friday by direct deposit. I put in for it April 20th to the Fresno, CA office, submitted my HUD and copy of my drivers license with it. Took all together about 9 weeks. I also, began calling every few days after the 6th week just so I could catch any problems asap. I’m wondering if they are getting faster now that the extension is over.
one more question on your original 09 taxes was the address the same or different from your amended return?
IRS received our amended 2009 return May 5th. The address on our original return was base housing rental before we purchased our house. I had to put our NEW address on the amended return and state it was a New address. The letter I received does not state when we will receive the 8000 check.. I hope with in the next two weeks. Will post as soon as I get it.
Update! I checked my bank account this morning and had the 8000. credit automatically deposited yesterday guess it was pending Friday. Our original return was direct deposit and on the amended form I kept the same bank information……SO It obviously can be direct deposit… but I would assume you would receive a letter of update/approval at the same time. I am glad ours came so quickly and I had no errors to cause delay on the forms. Good luck to all of you who are still waiting… I hope you receive it very soon!
Oh, and received 47.00 interest!
There was no place to put the bank information on 1040x amended form…
I am assuming because My original return was direct deposit the IRS used the same bank information on file and Direct deposited the credit. I am glad, probably got it faster that way!
Mailed our amended 2009 return with HUD settlement statement April 30th 2010 certified mail. Today June 26th received letters to both my husband and I stating that our account had been updated and we will be receiving the 8000.00 FTHBC. Will post again when I get the money! Oh, and we used the Fresno, CA irs office.
Hi Amanda just curior what date did the IRS recieve your return and what day will your check mail out?
Filed in January, every time they ask for something, its another 30 days before I can even check the status! Its so rediculous. I will be happy if I get it by Christmas.
Mailed my 1040x on March 8th 2010, it took 14 weeks to show in the system, they have the receive date as April 27th they told me 12 to 16 weeks from this date even though I have waited 16 weeks. For the forsake of all the people effected by the BP oil spill in the gulf, I hope to god the goverment manages the gulf oil money from BP better than they handle this.
WOW!! Just reading everybody’s story today and it makes me nervous…..I closed on my home 5/10/10 my attorney at closing advised me of what to send irs for FTHBC which was 1040x, 5405 and hud. On 5/13/10 I mailed the 3 overnight usps. to the fresno loc. I waited about 2 wks and called the 800# x462 and rep did not show my return recieved. I got nervous and mentioned how I sent my return overnight and rep said never send them overnight becuz that does not speed up the process. So of course I am even more nervous knowing I sent overnight and it has not shown up. Well ater the first call I just started calling like crazy every other day and still saying we have not received yet. I checked on usps and saw that they signed for it on 5/14/2010 so I was alittle better knowing that at least signed for it. So I chilled out from calling and waited 2 more weeks 6/9/2010 rep had me on hold longer than the other reps so I was thinking what is going on finally rep returned and said your refund will be issued shortly. I said WHAT yes rep said it is in it’s final stages pending adjustment means final stages, no issues just waiting for a release date. WOW. No other rep was able to even see it being received but this rep was able to give me info and it’s in final stages. GREAT!! So he said give another 3 weeks. My old address was still showing current in there system and I was wondering when that was going to be updated so I called back and rep told me that tax credit and my new address was pending. I called on 6/22/2010 to check status and my new address was now showing current but my adjustment was still pending. Today after reading all the stories I decided to call the advocate hotline and rep said another week delay because of the address update. So now I should wait another 2-3 weeks before check is mailed out. So hopefully my check will mail out the 9th or 16th. I will keep everyone posted like everybody else I have a couple projects too do and plus my first mortgage payment is due July so that would be perfect timing.Keep the faith everyone and if anybody has a similar story as mine far as the new address being updated and how long after that was checked mailed please share as I am still leary. IRS is not dependable. Thanks! Congrats to all the first time homebuyers………..
Same here… Filed for 2009 credit in January and STILL nothing… Very frustrating…
I have written before, but just need to vent again. We bought our house April 2009 and sent in the forms within 2 weeks. We are STILL waiting- over a year later!
If you haven’t sent in your forms yet make sure you send in EVERYTHING (If you have children, maybe if you give them one of them it will speed up the process). We sent in everything they mentioned, sent in more and are still waiting.
I received my credit yesterday. : )
I initially mailed off my paperwork in February 2010. I think the process would have been a lot easier if they spoke in laymen’s terms … and just told us what forms they wanted. I ended up having to send extra information to the IRS twice. When it was all said and done … I sent in my amended return, a copy of my schedule M form, Form 5405 and a copy of my settlement statement.
I hope this is helpful!
Rolfe, the magic question that a lot of us want to be clear on is do they send out paper checks for the refund or was yours direct deposited?
Filed first week in April. Checked Where's My Refund on IRS site. It states if they don not need any further info check coming on June 8. Approx. a week b/f June 8 we got a letter stating that more documentation was needed and to send at least 2 from a list of items including copy of drivers license, copy of last 2 pay stubs with address, etc. basically need to verify that we actually live at our newly purchased home. When I called the number to check with the person whose number was assigned to us, we were told several other items to include which the letter had not. She asked whether this was the first letter we had received implying that once we had sent in the requested info that they would have been another letter asking for even more. I overnighted USPS $18+ all the paperwork from the letter, plus the additional stuff she told us to include and also to put hubby's SS number on each piece. The letter said we had 30 days to respond. We sent it right away. I am tempted to call, the WMR says it has been received and is being processed. I'll want another week or so and call. I sure hope they don't need anything else because it takes a long time for them to request them and additional time for them to go through it yet again. At least I am hearing from them and it has not been that long so far.
Filed first week in April. Checked Where’s My Refund on IRS site. It states if they don not need any further info check coming on June 8. Approx. a week b/f June 8 we got a letter stating that more documentation was needed and to send at least 2 from a list of items including copy of drivers license, copy of last 2 pay stubs with address, etc. basically need to verify that we actually live at our newly purchased home. When I called the number to check with the person whose number was assigned to us, we were told several other items to include which the letter had not. She asked whether this was the first letter we had received implying that once we had sent in the requested info that they would have been another letter asking for even more. I overnighted USPS $18+ all the paperwork from the letter, plus the additional stuff she told us to include and also to put hubby’s SS number on each piece. The letter said we had 30 days to respond. We sent it right away. I am tempted to call, the WMR says it has been received and is being processed. I’ll want another week or so and call. I sure hope they don’t need anything else because it takes a long time for them to request them and additional time for them to go through it yet again. At least I am hearing from them and it has not been that long so far.
I filed my amended first time home buyer return at end of Feb. I called after 12 weeks and was told by IRS my return was received and being processed with no issues and allow few more weeks. I called today and very rude and disrespectful Irs lady tells me my return has been chosen for audit. When i ask why audit on home buyer return she replies she is IRS and doesnt have to give me reason. So then she says i will receive papers n 21 days to fill out and return. so in all it will b 4 months or longer before receiving my return. Why wait 3 months of holding my claim then decide when 16 weeks are up lets do audit? My tax representative says there is some fraud going on and more audits could come about. They have assured me they would take care of but still another 4-6 weeks of waiting..not happy!
Hello All, anyone been through “exams” yet? I called today to check on the status of my FTHC and the rep that I spoke with says that it is in “exams” and it could take up to 6 weeks for them to review it. I asked what happens after “exams” and she stated that if they dont find any problems then it will be released. She also stated that their system is updated over the weekends so give it at least a week or so before I call back. Still waiting…filed back in February…….
Anyone been through exams yet? The rep that I spoke with today stated that my return was in “exams” and could take up to 6 weeks for them to reveiw. She stated that if all goes well after that time then it will be released. She stated that their system is updated over the weekends so wait at least a week or so before you call back.
I just wanted to say that after reading some of the stories on this web site I was a little scared. I brought my house in april 2010 . I sent my paper work in the same day. After visting this site I realized that I had to send in my hud statement . Well needless to say I mailed another copy right away. I call several times checking and had the same waited a few more weeks. I check every thursday since the fourth week. Well when I check on yesterday they said mine was being released today and I should be recieving it within two weeks. Whew so for those of us that brought our house in 2010 it not quite the wait.
Where did you mail your return to (City)?
i mailed mine to atlanta because i live in SC
When did you mail yours in…We mailed ours the end of april and they are still saying it is not yet processed, as of Tuesday. They get crappy and say to wait 12 weeks at least, and to stop calling, there is no need to call until the 12 week point! Well our post office returned our mail in mid april because of shortage of postage, took it to the post office and put same postage on that was on it, and it was fine! Just trying to find a glimpse of hope…that they at least got it…i live in PA, can’t remember where i was supposed to send mine but wherever it was, that’s who i sent it to.
I live in SC as I stated before I mailed mine to the Atlanta office. I called the number that was listed on this web site and kept getting the run around. So I called the 1-800-829-1040 line and thats when she told me that it was pending. When I asked what did that mean she to told me it was approved and to be release on 6/11/10. Its been a liitle shy of 8 weeks for me. So maybe it depends on the state you live in.
Was your check released on 6/11 as stated? If so, how long did you wait to get it in the mail after 6/11?
After reading all of these I wanted to share my story. My fiance and I bought our home October 2009. I mailed our return on Feb 1. After a few weeks I saw in WMR we should receive our refund on April 20. A week before that date I received a letter to send more information. I faxed it the next day. On April 21 WMR started showing an error and extention to call. When I did that the man said they did not see anyting yet. When I called 2 weeks later the lady said she saw something but didn’t know what it was. She was very rude! She yelled at me for calling!!! She did say I should receive something in 2-4 weeks. After four weeks I called again. This lady told me she she was going to send a referral. She put me on hold for 10 minutes while she did this and when she came back she said it could take up 30 days to process. Of couse that is business days. If I do receive then it will be July 2! That is 6 months and 1 day from when I mailed it. Now WMR says they can’t find my refund and tells me to call another number. My fiance and I were hoping to use this money for our October wedding now we are borrowing money to pay for it and have to pay everyone back when we do get. I am not holding my breath that I will receive before December!
Well – just like most people, I too am waiting for my check. I called last week (05/27/10) and spoke to a representative and she verified that my information was received on 04/12/10 and all processed on 05/12/10. One month, all clear, nothing else needed. Sweet, right? Hell to the no! I have to call back on June 11, 2010 to figure out when they will mail it to me. What? Really? You process a return in record time (in my opinion) and you sit on it for a month or more. Geez, give me a break. So, I am bracing myself for the call on 6/11/10 and expect them to tell me that I should be good to go by Christmas.
Just received a notice (filed in February) that the IRS wants to verify that our property is our primary residence. They are asking for bank statements, moving receipts, postal confirmations, etc..that show our address. I think there has been a lot of fraud regarding the tax credit and people filing for it that do not qualify. Maybe that is the reason some of us have been waiting for so long.
I recieved a certified letter today but was not home to sign for it do they usually send the check by cerified mail? The first time I got a uncertified letter saying I was ineligible then I went to a CPA about six weeks ago and he fixed my amended return he sent that in around 10 April 2010.
Everyone that I have talked to that got the check says that it just shows up in your mailbox in a plain white envelope.
I sent docs to the IRS, 6 weeks ago and just called 1-800-829-0582 ext. 462 to verify they received the HUD-1 and amendment tax forms, and I was told their systems are updated on Mondays, and there is a 8 week wait for docs to be entered and visible to them to verify, and it will be approximately 16 weeks until the refund is issued. It appears some people are just now receiving their tax credit a year later, but 4 -6 months is still a long time to wait for help with necessary expenses in fixing up your old/new home.
There doesnt seem to be as much of an issue going on in 2010. Filed my ammendment at the end of April 2010… Just spoke with IRS, and they said my check would most likely be sent June 18th.
Was this the first time you called…i also sent mine end of april and ive been calling and so far they still say its not showing up. When did you send it and what did you send?
Yeah the IRS told us in the beginning of May that we would be getting our check by May 20th because that was the absolute longest amount of time they had to have it to us……..Suprise!! May 20th came and went, called IRS, they said oh sorry we need more time..now they say call back by the end of JUNE!!! So don’t get your hopes up, but I definitely hope you get yours when they say you will!
Can anyone tell me what the additional info is that they need?? I was thinking i would just fax the info over before I get the letter telling me to do so. thanks
I believe they just need verification that you own the house. You can probably give them as much as possible… mortgage statements… all the closing paperwork… a first born….
Nic if you are talking about the intial paperwork then we didnt call and check for approximatley 2 months. As for the additional papers we had to send in, we called about three weeks after we sent them in and they confirmed that they received them, but said they have not examined them yet. I would be worried if after a month they will not confirm that they atleast received the papers!
Hi, I have been waiting for 12 weeks for the irs just to say the have recived it. I want to know if we can check the statas on the irs website or is the only way to get a responce is by calling? thx
I just called to see if they received paperwork too and asked if there is a way to check status online and they said no just keep calling and bugging…I dont know how some people said they sent it then called to make sure it was received…we sent our weeks ago and they said they cant tell if its been received.
It took the IRS 6 weeks to even put it in the computer that yes they have recieved my paperwork. Sent it in on 05/26/2010, they said they recieved it on the 28th of May but took 6 more weeks to actually put that info in the computer. Must have been a very slow typist. Haha.
I live in MA and closed on my condo on 5/21/09. I did not mail my amended 2008 return until I submitted my 2009 return – one of the first days of February. I never received any follow-up saying it had been received, or any requests for more documents so I assumed it was sitting at the bottom of a pile on someone’s desk. I just called a number I found online (1-800-829-0582 ext. 462) and spoke with a very sweet woman who told me that my check is actually being mailed tomorrow! It will be for $8,350.22 and should arrive within two weeks. So, by the time I receive it, it will have taken just about five months for turnaround… Good luck to everyone who is still waiting!
I would like to know, why do it take so long to get a response from the IRS for the First time home buyer check. I have mailed them all the information they asked for but still no check. I have friends that got their check in a month or two without any long wait. I mailed my amend in to them in Nov. 2009 and i haven’t got a check yet. I bought my house in Sept. 18, 2009 and i sent them all the papaer work that i had to the new house. I call today May 20, 2010 and the worker told me that it was on a examiner desk, and that i can call back to check on it anytime.
P-
It could sit at the examiner desk for months! What they told me was that they were now putting everyones claims through extra steps because of all the fradulent claims and that that has caused them to be backed up even more. Who knows if its the truth, but all I know is ours was officially at the “examiners desk” over 3 months ago and they just told me yesterday that they need more time and to call back if we havent heard anything by the end of June! Good luck but I would not get in any kind of hurry for the money.
I wonder if they going to send us interest for all that waiting….ha ha ha…i dont think so 🙁
Actually I think they are! Don’t get too excited but I know a lot of people have posted that they received interest for the wait!
I know some people received interest, but I am sure with our luck there will be some “law” which allows them not to pay interest…In the end it is probably going to be our fault that it took them so long to process the application.:-):-):-)
Quick response to some of the emails I have gotten…
I did check into a tax advocate but they are so buried by all of this that I really dont think it will help, not to mention they gave me the same…just wait another 30 days and then call us back if you havent heard from them, speech! I did write my congressman and hope to get some help there. Thanks for the comments!
Hi Ashley,
I understand your frustration…If it makes you feel better we are waiting since end of june 2009. We called IRS maybe 12 times, mailed all documents they requested and we still don’t have our money….
We also contacted tax advocate but it didn’t help…
I understand how you feel about this. We’ve been waiting 12 weeks today and haven’t herd nor received a thing from the IRS. I called, only to be told that they have 16 weeks to actually process a return, not including the other steps involved. I try not to complain because after reading notes here, I see that many people have been waiting far longer than I. It’s a shame. I honestly thought that things may have changed this year and that they may have gotten a little more help to deal with the numerous returns coming in but, I see that this may not be the case at all. I know how beneficial this money would be for us if it were to come now so I can just imagine how grateful some of you would be who have been waiting longer than I. Perhaps things will speed up there this summer and more people will recieve this much needed money. Who knows, maybe someone here may find that check in the mailbox this week….
Hey everyone! I’m really glad (sorry) that we are not alone! We amended our 2008 taxes and sent them in Oct 1, 2009 and still have not received our check!! We have called a million times, sent in more documentation, and have waited. This is insane!! Everytime we call they just tell us to give them more time…WHAT??!! Really? More time!! I have really lost all hope of getting this money. I think that the government doesn’t have it and they are just shuffling us around because they know there is absolutely nothing we can do about it except…..wait!!!
We just closed on our house on 05/17/10 and mailed my paperwork (1040x, 5405 and HUD-1 statement) yesterday via FedEx to Austin IRS. I am very nervous as I was reading all comments…I hope we don’t have to wait too long to receive our check. I will check back in 6 weeks! Thanks guys for the information!!!
Hi, Idmszm, did you receive your refund? My case is similar — closed on May 10th, mailed everything on May 20th (snail mail), and it is now July 10th with no word whatsoever.
Not yet! I called the IRS today but was told that their system was down so I will need to call back… Today will be my 8th week so I will call back tomorrow!
UPDATE!
I just called and spoke with a helpful person…My check was mailed last Friday but it was mailed to my old address. She was not sure why my address was not updated as it was noted on my amended return. I hope I will get it soon! Good luck to everyone.
UPDATE!
I just received my check yesterday! $8,000 plus $66.02 interest. I can finally furnish my new house! it’s took me about 8 weeks (would’ve been 7 weeks but they sent my check to my old address). Good luck to everyone!
We have been waiting for a total of 14 weeks for our tax credit. Each time i call, the IRS says it is “under review”. Its very frustrating. I had no idea it would take so long. If we owed the IRS, they would be garnishing our wages, and we would have to file an extension. I hope they pay us interest as they would expect us to.
Closed escrow in November 2009. We filed our taxes early 2010. Filed 2010 amendment, included the WHOLE entire packet that the title company handed over and sent the entire copy of the packet via UPS overnight on February 26, 2010. March 29, 2010 we received a letter from IRS stating they received my amendment and that I will be receiving my $8000 refund. April 12, 2009 received check, so a total of 7 weeks for our check to arrive.
May, I’m glad that you and yours didn’t have to wait as long as everyone else has. I think that the people in the past who filed those fraudulent claims and received that money illegally has truly messed it up for the rest of us. I think I can speak for everyone who filed last year and so on, that if we had known to send everything that we had, entire closing packets, bills, and so forth, we would have. It seems like it speeds up the process. I myself sent the signature pages, a copy of the deed, and the mortgage bill so hopefully that will be enough. I called on the 5th of May and she told me that they had until June 18th to even get it processed so I’ll just wait till then before I call back and hopefully it wont get placed on a shelf and forgotten about.
Hello all ! I just wanna share my experience.. First off, my tax guy screwed up 🙁 gave us the wrong address. Obviously, they never received it 🙁 We sent it out on 02/19 and called about a month ago just to find out they didn’t have our paperworks. I had my wife resent IRS a copy of what we sent out but, this time we included 4 diff bills with our names and address, she also sent the package via USPS(which kinda pissed me off 🙁 ) A couple of days later, went on line and it looks like they received it and it says that we should receive our refund on June 8, 2010. Ofcourse I thought it was just too good to be true after reading all these nightmares. I thought we need but, not worth stressing out about it, we will get it when we get it 🙂 So this morning, I decided to check on it and to my suprised, it said that it will be direct deposited to our account on May 14th :-O. So I thought, yah sure whatever, i know something will come up to delay it.. Next thing you know, my wife calls me to tell me that the deposit is pending in our account. So I guess we got really lucky or a knowledgable person handled our file? Basically, it only took about 4weels to process our refund. I guess my advise is to send all needed paperworks along with bills supporting that you actually live there. Good luck to you all!
R, thanks for sharing your experience. Did you send your original paperwork for the house credit with your regular return or did you send an amended return? Just wondering since you may get it direct deposited. Haven’t heard of too many people getting it direct deposited. I’m glad for you and yours!
May 10,2010 and I got my $8000. I bought my house Jan 30,2010 and filed my income taxes. Then amended them at the end of February. They got my amendment March 3,2010 and I bugged every week after the 1st month. Finally a nice IRS employee answered and was nice enough to finish up the process while I was on the phone with him.. I waited 2 month and 9 days for my check. There is HOPE that it can go fast. Keep calling, keep bugging, ask someone if they can do it for you. I even had an address issue with IRS but I just had to explain my situation. Didnt need proof of anything. Just sent my statement of settlement with my amendment. Sorry for all of you that have been waiting. Its ridiculous.
We re long-term resident buyers. We purchased in October, 2009. Was told by everyone we would qualify for the credit. Now, after many resends of information, and phone calls, it says we don’t qualify. I know I read it in July or August 2009 that the long term resident credit was in effect. Otherwise, would not have bought a new home. Any ideas on how to fix this?
I would contact your state tax advocate. After 3 mos. I got tired of calling the IRS and getting the run around. It’s very easy – just contact your state advocate, there’s a form you can print online, fill it out explaining your situation and fax it to them. I received a call from them later that week and by the next week they were able to give me the exact date it would be mailed out. It definitley sped up the process. I would also exagerate your situation just to give it more urgency.
If your planning on getting the first time buyer tax credit you better hurry up and wait. They received our return on January 21st 2010. Its now May 6th and nothing. Everytime I call I get a different sob story. Our original refund date was April 6th that came and went with nothing so since April 7th its been in Error code 1301. I called that day and they said its in error resolution and to call back in two weeks and they will have a new date for me. I call back in two weeks and they say terribly sorry but we meant 2 business weeks so really three weeks. So I call back then and they say sorry no word yet. Finally last week they say its coming out of error processing on April 30th and ill have a date next week. Well this week is almost over and nothing. So now the rep is going to put a “referral” on it so if it sits there for more than 30 days it will be pushed threw???? yea ok right. Im sure that will screw it up somehow so I have to wait even longer, what a crock of crap this whole thing is. Going on 6 months to get a freaking tax refund give me a break. Im shooting for having it for christmas 2010 if I get it at all, its probly just a government scam to get the economy going again.
I purchased a house in November 2009 and decided to wait to file for the homebuyer’s credit with my 2009 return.
In that little bit of time, I was told that I could file for my credit with my tax return, then I was told I needed to file it on an amended return, then I was told I had to file “OLD SCHOOL” … paper/pencil. After all that … I still need to wait 16 weeks.
The purpose of the credit was to revitalize people’s confidence in the housing market and encourage consumers to buy homes. With the incentive, they (IRS) should have known people would seriously pursue the credit … and they should have been prepared.
It is ridiculous that they are still encouraging people to buy houses and they haven’t lived up to their end of the bargain for those who have already purchased houses.
Hello All,
I’m a new home-owner, (thank you very much!), and I’ve only been waiting about 3 months for my refund. I’m not feeling too confident about this refund after I read previous comments. Some of you have been waiting since last year! Wow! What a drag! I was thinking that since alot of you have been waiting for such a long time, that maybe things at the IRS would have gotten better by now but, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Surely with all of the complaints that they’ve received they would have hired more staff to deal with the vast amount of refunds being requested!
Anyway, has anyone who has filed this year, 2010, received better service from the IRS regarding status of refunds? What about actual refunds? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
So, I have been waiting since April of 2008- can I get frustrated yet?!?!
So I bought my house in September 2, 2009, called the IRS several times (every time getting a different story on when the check was suppose to be coming and what the status of my filing was), then finally was told in January that my application had been sent to “fraud claims.” This is fine with me… I think that this is a very necessary department that should have been in place from the very begining of this program. I was told that I was sent to fraud claims b/c my zip code was the same from where I was living to where I moved to… whatever. I was told that someone would contact me and we woudl get it worked out. So 10 weeks after that I have not received a phone call… so I call to see what the status is again… I am told that they would need supporting documentation (something I was not told previously) to prove my new residence and they would send me a form to request this. “Fine, please send it.” 4 weeks after that I get the form in the mail… immediately that day I fax and send in the mail my supporting docs (just to make sure they get it.) Call 2 weeks later to make sure they got it, and they confirmed and told me it would take 30 to 45 days to review it. It has now been 50 days since they recieved it, and naturally I am curious so I call. Not only was the person I talked to the rudist person ever, but she told me that it takes MINIMUM 60 days until they pull my file for review… but more than likely it would be much more than that.
So now I am in week 30 since I ammended my return for this and who knows how long it will be before I see a check.
Anyone else seeing this problem?
well good news i finally held my tax advacate on april 26, finally got my approval after 9months
still have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for the check to come. i don’t care as long as i get it.i agree get a
tax advacate to help, because i was getting no place before i got them.
I just had to post to this site one last time and say… All you people that filed within the last few months for the new home credit should be ashamed of yourself when you cry and throw names at the IRS! I waited from July 09 until Feb of this year before I got my check!! Wait that long then you have a reason to pout!!
I have been waiting since July 12 2009 and still waiting. So I do have a reason =)
IRS workers are F ****** LAZZZZZYYYYY just receiving a pay check and not working ….
Hello everyone,
Update from previous posting. It gets better…………….On April 8th I received a letter indicating that my social # wasn’t on file therefore, I must give irs a call if I want to continue to pursue the credit. I called the IRS in regards to the letter and the rep told me “I have no idea, which letter your speaking about”. I gave her the form# and still, she had nothing on file that indicated they didn’t have my social#. Again, mailed twiced last year and faxed once this year.On April 12th, I received another letter indicating they received my faxed docs on 3/1 and they will have a response for me by 5/15/10. Even better now, IRS claimed that the docs were not received, but how come those docs were returned to me on April 12th with a posted stamp on it from Jan. On April 13th I contacted a tax advocate for the 3rd time and finally they agreed to take my case. She called me today and told me that everything should be settled by 5/28. Three more months and it will be a whole year.
So I bought my house in Jan 30 2010. I filed my taxes then did my 09 amendment. I have been calling to see if they have at least got it in there system. Well today i called and the IRS guy was soooo helpful. He said its been assigned to someone and that there was issues with mine. On my amendement i put my moms address for the check to go to then of course i put my new house address as the house I bought. IRS was confused on why I put both well HR Block told me to put my old address because thats the address I put for my 09 return. Well anyways I said is there anyway I can fax proof that it is my house. Or what do I need to do. He said well I understand what happened and let me see if I can process this myself. He comes back about 7 minutes later and said ok your good to go. I said what. He said I processed it for you. You should get a check in the beginning of May… OMG. This was the best IRS guy ever!!!! I will let you know when I get my check. I asked if i will have any more problems he said no since its been processed and accepted. I have to say this has to be luck! Keep you posted.
I purchased my home on February 24, 2010. I mailed off my tax documents with the contract and the 1045 and the “amended return” form on March 15, 2010. I called last week just to be nosey and see where it was in the process. The woman I spoke with was very kind and she told me that it was not showing as “received” yet – but that when it is “received” in their system it will be close to disbursement and she advised I call back in two weeks.
She did put me on hold twice to make sure that it was not that far along into processing yet.
I snail-mailed it to Fresno after doing the amended return with H&R Block. I will keep you posted about what happens!
I forgot to mention… if you filed an AMENDED return it will NEVER show up on “Where’s My Refund?” online. You have to call. If you filed for your $8,000 FTHBC with your regular taxes, THEN you can check “Where’s My Refund?”
Well today I received a call from the advocate…she told me i have to send all the proof i sent to IRS as proof of living in this property …….and she told me 30 days…….i hope ….this is such a pain …..IRS need to hire more people…..
I wish that I had never heard of the First Time Homebuyer Credit!! What a nightmare! After waiting 4 months, I was denied. I researched to find arguments why my claim was indeed valid, and discovered that not only was I not actually eligible (free consultations with a lawyer and a CPA had previously confirmed my belief that I was eligible), but I had a made a mistake on past returns and actually OWE money, to the tune of $2000 or so.
My situation is unique and complicated by my acting as general contractor on my home, and it took me several years. I didn’t realize there is a 24 month limitation for claiming mortgage interest on my itemized deductions (“home acquisition debt”) until I read Publication 936 thoroughly during my research. So, though I am OK for claiming 24 months worth, this caused my house under construction to be qualified as a residence that I owned, thus disqualifying me for the 1st time homebuyer credit. Plus now I have to amend my federal and state returns for time beyond the 24 months to remove the MI that I claimed and of course there is interest on that which I owe. I am annoyed that the tax software I have used over the years (tried several) did not alert me to the issue, just had me plug in the info from my 1098. If you go digging, you can find the info, but even the actual federal form itself says to enter the amount from your 1098, and the only warning is that you cannot claim personal interest (like credit card interest).
Last year, I hired some guys for the final push to get me into the house before the deadline, thinking that I would be able to pay them with the 1st time homebuyer credit. I ended up having to refinance the house to pay them. And now instead of having more work done on the house (like railings for the stairs!), I owe money to the frigging government. Thanks for NOTHING, Congress and Mr. President!
Well, it gets better (NOT!!!!). Less than two hours after paying my back taxes with a credit card (because I didn’t want to pay the IRS $52-$104 to set up an installment agreement), I got an email notice from the card company that they are cutting my credit line, effectively maxing out my card. I wonder how much this has hurt my credit score and how much my interest rate is going to increase because of it.
wow …i feel better…..i closed on my house on 29 Sep 09 and sent the first week of OCT…still waiting i also sent HUD, Mortgage….all the proof that i live in this house and still dlon’t have an agent or person assign to my case….I called the advocate center and she suppost to call me by Tuesday of next week …..I’m so pissed i spend all my money on this house …due counting on this f credit ……and the IRS workers don’t know what are talking about cuz i called 3 times in one day and all 3 told me a different story…..plus they don’t even comment when you are calling…they are so LAZZZZYYYYYY….but any I write a letter and i will send it to Denise Kidd he supost to be the MANAGER in Atlanta will send a copy to congress and senator …..this is BS….
You can call your congressman directly to have them help you that is what I did. So far so good we are making progress.
Thank you !!
hello,
My last post was on March 30th. IRS advised me to call back if I don’t get a response within 30days. ofcoarse I got no response,so I called an advocate for the second time. The first time the advocate advised me to wait 30 days and now today they adivsed me to wait an additional 15 days. She informed me that If IRS doesn’t give me a response in 15 days, than an advocate will be assigned to me. In three months it will be a whole year that I’ve amended my return. Let’s not forget that I faxed and mailed all the require docs three times. HMMMMMMMM!
WISH ME LUCK!
I just got off the phone with IRS and I sent in my claim on Feb/27/10. I was told that they have recieved it but it has not yet been processed and It should take aleast another 6 weeks maybe more. Thanks for the number you gave on this comment page I didn’t know how to contact them .I only waited 3min
I walked in my amended 2008 return for the FTHBC on Feb17, 2010. I took the return to the Atl, GA office. I received my check in the mail on March 26th. The things that I included in my packet are as follows:
Form 1040x
Form 5405
HUD Settlement Statement
Driver’s Licence showing current address
Utility Bills
Home Insurance Invoice
Paycheck Stubs showing current address
Bank Statements showing current address
Mortgage Statements and proof of payments
This is one of the questions that I have we have not did an amendment yet and have not decided if we are going to do one or not. I was curious if the processing time will be shorter if you provide all of the documents upfront or just send in the 5405 and wait to see what else they ask for. In the past I had worked for a government agency where I processed licenses and those that sent everything in at once and there was no problems with the documents got their license quickly but those who sent in an incomplete packet you had to do a letter or phone call which delayed their license. Basically these applications went in a pending file and whenever I could get to them then a letter was done or a phone call was made but I would continue processing other completed packets. I dont want to send them things they wouldnt regularly request or give them any other information that they dont need. My other fear is that we do our return to our PO Box for security reasons and we do receive some mail at our house too but most of our important documents have a PO Box on it and not the physical address.
I sent my tax return and fthb credit on febuary 10th. I recieved a letter from irs on march 30th wanting more info on house.I owner financed so i didnt have a hud 1 form so had to send in a private closing document. irs told me give them another 6 to 8 weeks to get my credit.I am just playing the waiting game again.
now they are telling me i should recieve my refund by may 14th. Everytime i call it just gets pushed back further and further.this is driving me crazy!
This is about my 8th posting since Aug.09. I mailed and fax all the required documents three times. I finally called an advocate early March and the advocate advised me to wait an additional 30 days, so that irs can review my docs. The advocate told me if I don’t get a letter from the IRS within 30 days, I can call back and then request an advocate. Does this make sense? In two days it will be a whole NINE MONTHS of waiting. I guess I can request an advocate on April 1st.
Filled taxes and credit at the end of January, received letter mid February for HUD statement. Sent that in immediately. Since mid February, IRS site showed that the return would be mailed March 30th. As of today, no deposit or check.
They do not do direct deposits for the first time home buyer credit so expect a check mailed out today.
Thank you Angela,
I will keep an eye out this week and repost my progress.
Went back to pending, that they have received it. I called and they can’t find my information in the system. Still waiting…
Filled our taxes the first of Feb. of 2010 then a week later amended them Feb.9 2010, just received them in the mail today, march 29, 2010. Not too bad at all, just shy of 8 weeks.
Okay, this one is interesting:
Hello,
I closed on November 25, 2009. I sent in the paperwork for the $8,000 credit the very next day. About a month later, I got notice that I was to be audited for the $8,000 and would need provide proof of purchase to include:
A copy of the completed purchase contract
A copy of personal identification reflecting my new address
A copy of the mortgage statement showing payments to my new address
A copy of my bank statement showing my new address as the mailing address
Since I had just made my first mortgage payment, I couldn’t send any of that paperwork until the end of January. But when I did (and I faxed it over by the way) I didn’t receive any additional notice until a week ago (mid-march) at which point I was informed that I would finally be receiving the credit by direct deposit on the 19th of March.
I still haven’t received the money and after double checking the routing and bank account numbers, know that the problem is not on my side.
So please, just know that some folks are having a painstaking time getting the credit. Do not rely on the money for any kind of bills nor expect this to be an easy process for everyone.
Call 1800 829-0582 and push extension 462. This is the number I was calling. You actually get a real person who is actually knowledgeable.
Jan 20- Sent In my hub statement and 5405.
Feb 23- Everything was approved
Mar 15- Got my 8000 check in the mail
Hopefully I get mine in the mail that fast. I doubt it cause they sent my reg tax return and said they may need additional information.
What all paperwork did you send? I sent my settlement statement that had all the signatures on it. Is that good?
I closed on Dec 28, 2009 in Virginia. I see some have talked to agents every place I get is automated. Can someone help me with getting a contact phone for someone? I have not been waiting long but at the looks of all the responses it looks like I will be waiting a long time. So can someone please give me some insight on what I should do.
Thank you
Finally…Filed October 13. Sent Suporting docs on my own Jan 5th (never recv letters from IRS),
got an Tax Advocated Feb 19th. Check will be mailed Mar 26th.
What a long, slow, miserable, frustrating road I’ve been own.
$8219 is what I’m getting which includes the TAXABLE interest they’ve tacked on.
Now I can do some repairs and save the rest for a rainy day.
Best wishes to those who are still going through the grind…this experiance has been a complete mess.
6 weeks!!?? Ha! Try 7 months and counting! I filed in August of last year and I have made COUNTLESS calls the the irs and I still dont have my refund or an explanation as to why! I did everything right and they keep telling me to “be patient”. The IRS is the biggest joke of an organization I have ever dealt with.
I also did mine in August of last year and still waiting they said wait 30 days then I called and they said an additional 90 days. I called my Congressman they said they can help! Give it a try!
Im giving it a try. My representative is also a neighbor so that may help! Good luck to you Brittany.
Good luck to you also Ron! I just got a letter today they need additional information and the rep did contact a local IRS building so at least I heard from them.
Well I finally got my check!! I had $337 in interest included so that made the wait a little more bearable. The tax payer advocate representative was very helpful, I really don’t think I would have ever received my tax credit without them.
I just called the Irs and was told that my money will be direct deposit next week. Well the problem is I went to Jackson Hewitt last year and received a RAL. I no longer have that pre paid credit card that Jackson Hewitt gave me last year. So now I have to wait till it hits the bank and then be sent back to the IRS so they can cut me a check. This is crazy
I just called and spoke to another person and she told me that my check will be sent to me and not direct deposit. She also said that it will be cut on the 26th with added interest of $299.14. I’ve been waiting since Aug 11th 2009. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!
Hello can you tell me what number you are contacting the IRS at? I get all automated lines
On January 4, 2010, I posted on this website about my struggle with getting my check. After six months of waiting……………………..still NOTHING!!! I am not strapped for cash, but there are some repairs I would like to make to my house that there is really no reason to go in debt for. I call the IRS EVERY Tuesday and I am told a different thing every week. At one point someone told me that I was denied and then the next week they said they had made adjustments and now it is in a “holding pattern.” I know the IRS has to play it safe because they were getting people who made stuff up and awarded them a credit to find out that the name they used was phony. I am sorry, but that is the IRS fault. When I filed my amended return, I had all my loan paperwork, settlement statement, deed, everything I thought I would need. They ONLY needed the date I purchased the home, who I purchased it from, and how much I purchased the home…..gee….I wonder why they had people fraudulently scamming them. MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE THE IRS IS RETARDED. They should have required more info, and I know thats why they are being extra careful, but on the other hand, I don’t care, their “safety” isn’t my problem, they should have thought about that when they printed the forms for this credit. So after all of this bull, I have contacted my attorney and he put me in link with a tax payer advocate, which is basically a person that goes to the IRS and kicks them in their @$$ to get them moving. I am praying this is what gets it done. I don’t know why I expected this to go smooth from the get go because if there is one thing we all know about our government. This was a project set in place by republicans and democrats working together. In the FAMOUS words of Lewis Black, “There is only one thing dumber than a republican and a democrat, and thats when these pricks work together.” I wish you all better luck going through this because I have had it with this stupid run around. It would not surprise me if I never get a check because thats the way my luck usually runs. Take care, all of you. Stay in touch and share your story on my facebook page. Just search for me on facebook, Travis McGuire.
well, back on May 7 of 2009, my information was received by the irs…. 10 months later…. still no check… though, our circumstances a little different from others i think, beings we’ve owned a house before and requalified, is why it’s taking so long for us. Tried the advocate route to no avail, so our tax preparer has been helping us. 1 more week and we should find out where we stand, hopefully anyways. Congrats to those that obviously didn’t have to wait nearly as long as us, and good luck to those that have just recently filed.
Hi Gemma,
The 5405 form is new for 2010. I think the IRS was so backed up in the past because they were learning the system of the credit. I think things will start to speed up from here on. I sent my 5405 with my hub statement on jan 23. I called the IRS the other day and they said I was approved feb 23 and they check will be mailed out march 12. I hope this helps!
This sounds more promising. Yes, i only just filed so don’t mind waiting 6-12 wks. I guess they bulk up at staff at this time. Thank you.
Update….I posted here in the beginning of the month – I said that I checked my status for my 2009 tax return online (I had to mail it in) at the four week mark and sure enough it said it was received, processing and I should receive my refund by April 6, 2010.
Today I checked again, one week later and it said that my tax refund is scheduled to be direct deposited on March 12, 2010. The amount listed is my full amount I was expecting – the credit plus our refund for 2009. So that is this Friday and I guess I will wait and see on Friday if it is there…..I will post back if it finally made it! I read other places that it was only a mailed check……interesting.
Update….I checked our account this morning and sure enough it was in there…the full amount! So, filing our 2009 taxes with the 8000 credit as part of it paid off!….and got our credit and our 2009 refund together in 5 weeks and 2 days…..thank you IRS.
So from my experience with this whole thing….filing with the 2009 taxes is the way to go! I am sure I am not the only one with these results. Good luck all.
Just spoke to the IRS. Mailed in the information Jan 20 and approved Feb 23. Check is supposed to be mailed out on friday.
I was concerned after reading all these posts. So you filled in Jan 2010 and recieved confirmation in Feb 2010?
i to have been waiting since july 20,2009 everytime i call the irs i was getting a different answer
finally got a tax advcate hope to get some good news soon.
Right there with you. I went the advocate route a week ago and they tell me I need a copy of basically everything that I sent in initially, the kicker is that the IRS NEVER told me they needed any more paperwork even though I called them countless times. Im hoping I will get it soon. Good luck to you.
After mountains and mountains of bad news (wait a month, wait another month, wait another month, and so on), my taxpayer advocate is supposed to tell me tomorrow whether the IRS approved my credit. There is absolutely no reason for them not to approve it. I’ve had an advocate since the beginning of JANUARY and this is the second extension I’ve had to give the IRS since working with the advocate. I’m sitting at 34 weeks of waiting. ALMOST NINE MONTHS. I will update again with tomorrow’s news.
Approved!!!! But no release date…
I was approved too with the help of my advocate I got approved on the 5th and my advocate said they only have the 19th and the 26th to have my check sent out. It still takes a week or 2 for the system to update and for them to make adjustments to the amend. So it shouldn’t be long for us to get it now. PS everybody else that is still waiting GET AN ADVOCATE
Hi, My question is this: Where and how do I get an advocate? thank you.
Ray: This link includes contact information for each state’s tax advocate, who will work with you in resolving federal tax issues.
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 of waiting “patiently.
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!
Sent 2009 paper return with FTHB credit Jan 22, 2010, IRS has received return they say I should have it back by March 30th. I will repost if it happens.
I sent in all my info on January 20th. I spoke to the IRS the other day and they said it was approved on Feb 23. He said I should receive a check within a month.
I have been reading down through these comments and I just want to say that I am glad that I waited to file my 8000 tax credit with my 2009 taxes. It seems like the people that amended their 2008 taxes are waiting weeks without knowing anything. Probably because most homebuyers did it this way and they are flooded with amended returns, also people did not know that they needed to include the HUD-1. We closed on November 23, 2009 and I actually got our tax papers ready to amend for 2008 but…just never sent them. So then they did the whole updated 5405 so I had to wait forever….patiently….until the new form was available. I just decided to file all my taxes together and I of course could not e-file so I mailed our taxes on 2-23-10. Since I did not amend, I am able to check the status of my refund online, which I have checked once even twice per day to see if it said anything else but…”they cannot provide any information about my refund, it can take up to 6 weeks to process.” But! It does say on the site that you can check the status usually 3 to 4 weeks after mailing a return. It turns out that today is exactly 4 weeks from when I mailed it and when I check the status it said, “they received our return and it is processing and as long as no errors were found and we do not owe taxes we should receive our refund by April 6, 2010. So if all goes well with our refund it will be right under 9 weeks for us…I just hope this is true! I’m glad that I can just get online and check the status so I do not have to call. I did our taxes with Turbo Tax and it told me that I had to include that 5405 and the HUD-1 to be processed. Another advantage of waiting is that we made less money this year than the last and we have a child too. So we are getting more back from our 2009 and then we add the 8000 and we have a nice chunk of change coming… I am excited to get this money and pay some stuff off and go shopping!!
For now…I will keep dreaming……lol
Those who have waited to file with 2009…you will get your regular refund…however the homebuyer credit will go through the audit like everyone else’s which means a long delay. Sorry.
confused.. how does dates from 2-23-10 to when you posted on 3-3-10 equal 4 weeks of waiting??
I file this credit with my 2009 return on Jan 24, 2010 and they still saying nothing. They did not start processing the 2009 returns with the credit until March 2, 2010. I have sent it in twice, first time forgot the proof of purchase and I sent that, they received that 3 days later, but they still have not received supposelly the second complete set, going to call today. I need repairs done on my house also.
This whole tax credit was a sham to get the housing market booming again!!!! I filed Aug 26 2009, they received it on Aug 31, I’ve called a bunch of times saying it was being processed, and as of today haven’t gotten a check or any letter telling me whats going on. This is ridiculous. It’ll probably be another few months!
Hello all,
Since we purchased our home after November 6, 2009, the IRS requested that we send more documents. We’ve already filed our 2009 taxes but now we want to file an amended tax return, could someone shed some light on what we need to do?
Thank you in advance
If you amend your taxes to get the FTHBC send in the HUD1, light bill, DL with new address, pay stub with new address and make sure that your amended return has new address on it or it will go up for review.
I got a call from my tax advocate today. He should be fired to start off with because he would not return my phone calls. I spoke to him on January 14th and he sent a letter stating he would call me by February 12th with an update. I called and called and left voicemail after voicemail and he did not return my call at all. He only called today to tell me that he got an e-mail from the exam office and said that they finally approved our credit and the check would be sent out in 7 to 10 days. I’m not getting my hopes up on this because we sent in our amended return at the end of May 2009. So it will be over 9 months when we get this money.
I know how you feel, but at least my advocate answered the phone to tell me she basically wasn’t doing anything except resending my information. I was approved a taxpayer advocate on January 15. She didn’t call me until January 25. She said that she would have a response for me by February 25. She called today to tell me she won’t have a response for me by the 25th and now it is March 9, which is only one week shy of when the dimwits in the Atlanta examination department said they would get back to me anyway! 32 weeks and counting…
Please let us know when you actually receive the check. Best of luck.
I am on week 36 myself. I think that the Atlanta office must be the worst in the country.
Well, closed on my house on 10/15/09…sent in papers 10/28/09 fiance got her half, i haven’t gotten anything, called 30 days ago to be reviewed, called today still being reviewed call back next week review system is down and she can’t see any notes. WHAT! it’s been 16 weeks, my friend closed 16 days after my fiance and I and she got hers right after my fiance did in november….so what is going on….they were filed the same how is it this hard to review papers and see that I actually bought a house and i’m not trying to fraud them? its crazy…yea we are getting interest, but come april 2011 and we have to file for 2010 taxes they will tax us on that interest…… **rolling eyes**
Paperwork submitted and received in July 2009. It’s February 2010, and I’ve been told to wait until March 2010 before they can provide me any status. Very frustrated!
I sent mine in the beginning of August 2009 and they told me that same thing wait until Mrach 29 and then call back they said it was in examination process???
I just sent my paperwork in late January and by the looks of these posts I can not count on this money, My house needs repairs! I guess I won’t see this check so soon !
this tax credit was pretty much an emtpy promise from the government to encourage people to buy a home. I sent my amended return in November 1. Every 30-45 days, I receive another letter from the IRS bascially saying, so sorry, stay tuned. Now 3 1/2 months later, a letter in the mail saying–hey do it all over again because we amended the form in december of 2009 and you filled out the form that was the correct form at the time you amended, but who cares. Who cares that the result is basically the same either? Let’s just churn some paper, and then make you do the paperwork all over again. It’ll be 2011 before I see my first-time homebuyer tax credit, if even then. Wow–what a failing. Shame on Obama. I voted for him but suspect that the government doesn’t even have the funds to pay out this “credit.”
I just recieved my check plus interest! it didnt even take a full month! i sent off my amended return january 19th! cant believe i got it so fast. but i bet all of the supporting documents that i sent with it helped out alot!
I already sent in my return. I see that some people are getting theirs much quicker. Could you tell me what documents you sent to get your return in 1 month? I already sent in my Hud 1 statement. What else should I sent? Lord only knows how bad I need this money!!!!
This is an update to my first comment. I sent in two tax returns. One just had my tax return and my HUD 1 statement. The other return I sent in had additional information like my HUD 1 statement, my contract, a copy of my occupancy permit. I just looked on the irs website and it said that I would get my return on April 6. Thank GOD! I sent my original return on Feb. 4th. Hopefully it will come then. I wont be happy until I get it in my hand.
Shatara
Update: I just got my refund in the mail today. Lord knows I needed it!!!!!
shatara
Hello,
What supporting documents did you include with your amended return?
Traci
I closed on my home on May 30th. I submitted my 1040X in August and it was received on 26 August. I have been in the wiating game since then. I finally contacted a tax payer advocate on the 28th of January. I was told that someone from my local tax payer advocate service would contact me in 5 days. On the 4th day I was contacted and told to forward the HUD-1 (settlement Statement), Mortgage Statement, and Certificate of Occupancy (my new home was new construction). I faxed this information on 5 feb and sent a certified hard copy on the same day. I left a message with my advocate and never received a call back in the past 2 weeks even though his voicemail said he returns calls in 24 hours. I finally heard from his manager today apologizing for him not returning my call. Not only has he not returned my call, he has not done anything with the supporting documents that I sent to him. His manager has assured me that she will send the supporting documents today and I should hear from them by March 11th!!! I don’t understand why they have taken so long. The IRS should have anticipated an increase in amended returns to claim this credit and should have had additional manning to support this. I will continue to wait and by God’s grace I will hear something soon.
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.Feb 5th 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 confirmed receiving my HUD 1, Deed, utility bills as proof. I even sent the property tax bill because they want more suplemental taxes! LMAO! 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. They’ve had all my docs since Oct 9th. I called Feb 9 and they finally put in a FORM 911 for an tax advocate to help me. The advocate has 3 days to call..We’ll see. I 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:
2/19: Revd a call from tax advocate today…she stated all of my proof had been sitting in IRS customer service dept since Jan 5th and had not been forwarded to exams.
She is sending PDF file to Irs Exams today. They will have until March 5th to respond to advocate with release date of check. T/A said roughly expect check by 1st week of April…that will be my 6 month anniversary..NOT 8 WEEKS OR 12 OR 16 AS STATED.
DAMN SHAME
Carolyn, you are luckier than – I passed my 8-month anniversary on February 2. They confirmed that they received the paperwork on December 18, 2009. I called today and they stated that no one has even looked at it. I was hoping to get the check for my 30th birthday, mid-March. Apparently, that is not going to happen.
Rob,
Same thing happen with my file sitting in customer service dept for 45 days.
It had not been look at or forwarded to exams.
I was only told this after several calls and finally getting through to a semi-helpful person.
She transferred the file to exams while we were on the phone and filled out a form 911 for the advocate as well. I also filled out a 911 form and faxed it myself. Within 5 days 2/19/2010, advocate called and started the procees of getting an release date for the check from the exams dept. She stated exams has until March 5th to provide that date. Once release date is provided, Advocate stated wait time for check ranges 2-4 weeks, since checks are sent out once a week on Fridays ONLY. I understand your grief. They have turned this dream into an nightmare. I can afford my home just fine, but there are many repairs that need attending too. We’re treated like beggers and criminals for wanting what was promised and rightfully due to us. Good Luck on your journey…
More like 6 months and still counting. I closed 8/14/2009, mailed the amended return within the week. Was not notified until November that the I was “sent to exams.” Then in January the IRS sent a letter stating they required additional information. Sent the information same day by fax and email on the 8th. Recieved a letter 1/31 stating they had another 30 days to either review the documents or send another letter stating they were still reviewing the documents….so here we are well into February and still no closer to recieving the tax credit. My 2009 taxes will likely be filed and paid before my amended 2008 taxes which were sent nearly 7months ago.
Update: Called tonight to request a Tax Payer Advocate. I’m crossing my fingers. Next step is the congressman’s office….
Just an update:
Called to get a taxpayer advocate and magically my credit has been allowed. According to the advocate my check is scheduled to be cut on March 5 and will include almost $300 in interest. So, if you are having difficulties get an ADVOCATE ASAP….highly recommended!
Update from my last post in December. After 6 months, I finally received my check in February. I suggest anyone who is having a problem to contact your Congressman or Senator because it did help alittle and if you need to submit paperwork they can send it faster. Good Luck to everyone that is still waiting.
Getting your refund for the FTHBC could take a LONG time. I sent in my ammended return on May 22nd 2009 and IRS said they received it on May 26th. Today is February 13th 2010, and I just received a letter from the IRS stating that I will have my check in the next two weeks. That is a total of 9 months I’ve waited…..absolutely rediculous! If you haven’t called to check on your return, you need to because that will get the ball rolling. In Novemeber I was asked to send in a list of information, and in January I was informed that they were reviewing my return. Have lots of patience….you’ll need it! Good luck to all!!!
Thanks for the information JRFL. Good Luck, to all.
In my previous e-mail I mentioned that my return was being examined. Therefore; I mailed all supporting documents TWICE, yesterday I received a letter indicating that my request was denied being that I didn’t foward supporting documents. I’ve been waiting since July, so i guess that means I have to send the same documents a THIRD time.
WILL ANYONE HAPPEN TO KNOW THE NUMBER TO A TAX ADOVATE? I LIVE IN LONG ISLAND.
THANKS
The taxpayer advocate intake number is 1-877-777-4778. The same thing happened to me – where I sent in all my information THREE times and got a letter proposing to deny the credit by claiming I hadn’t sent it in. When I told the taxpayer advocate intake person about this letter, he immediately agreed to assign me a taxpayer advocate. Once assigned, an advocate has ten business days to call you. The intake person will tell you which taxpayer advocate office you will probably be assigned to (they told me Jacksonville, but I was farmed out to Atlanta.) Just so you know, my taxpayer advocate waited until the tenth day to call me (of course), even though I had been waiting since July, like you, and am still waiting. Good luck, though.
I bought a home 9/01/2009 and amended my 2008 tax return with the form for the homebuyers credit attached plus supporting documents (copies of my Driver License, mortgage payment statement, closing statement, homeowners insurance, and a utility bill with proof of address). Sent it off Januaury 15, 2010 through Certified Mail and the IRS received it January 19, 2010. I received a letter in the mail today February 12, 2010 that said my refund will be sent in approximately 2 weeks. I think the more supporting documents that you attach the faster the process will be.
Well, I finally go through to the IRS after many hours of holding. THis time around instead of calling 800-829-1040 and jumping through those hoops, I called the Tax Advocat Service (TAS) at 877-777-4778. We spoke to someone of thankfully confirmed our info had at least been received, and explained it had been around the block several times before being shelved with all the other applications. We were told that this happens, and then they pull them off the pile as legitimate requests when someone calls on them and then works the request. From today (2/11/10) we were advised 30 days for a decision, which I presume will be a request for a HUD, and then more waiting.
So, my reccomendation is if you’re having trouble getting to someone in the IRS that give rat’s behind, contact the TAS first as they seem better about giving answers.
Finally after many months of waiting I received my check today with interest! I hope the Irs begins to speed up things for everyone else that haven’t received theres yet!!
Well well the time has come IT ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yall i just received a letter today saying that they have APPOVED me for the credit and that i will receive interest as well AND THAT I WILL GET IT 6 TO 8 WEEKS………… Yall i have been waiting every sence june 12 .09 hear it is feb 9.2010 I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING LONGER THAN THAT BUT THIS IS A RELEAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I GOT MY PAPERS TODAY SAYING THAT THEY APPROVED IT HONEY THEY CAN TAKE 8 TO 12 WEEKS AS LONG AS I GOT MY PAPERS SAYING THAT THEY WILL GIVE IT TO ME …….I’M SO SO SO BLESSED AND HAPPY RIGHT NOW I HAVE BEEN ALL DAY THANK YOU GOD …..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS::for those of you that have been waiting for a long time it’s coming yall if you really really bought a home and it’s your first home then you will get it the wait is just so long man I’M JUST GLAD IT’S OVER FOR ME SO I SHOULD GET MY MONEY AT THE END OF MARCH OR SOMETIME IN APRIL….
I mailed in my amended 2008 form in mid-August and I still haven’t received anything.
The title to this article still cracks me up… “Receiving the first time homebuyer credit takes about six weeks” — Try SIX MONTHS! I’m on week 30, and they have until February 25 to make a decision. My taxpayer advocate said they then have another two weeks to update their system. Then, they have another 6-8 weeks to actually mail the check!
5 months and still waiting…I called the examination center again today. They said it would be another month before they looked at my supporting documentation. Said some people have been waiting 10 months. I asked, is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it doesn’t. I still need the money. All of this started because my tax return address is a PO Box, and of course the home has a physical address. There is no home mail delivery in our town.
Also I was told not to file my 2009 taxes, since a hold would just be placed on them until they could clear this up (which was an amended 2008 return to claim the credit)…So now I am waiting on that refund money as well. Thanks, IRS!
We have not yet received our amended 2008 tax return (we filed last april) and we have already received our 2009 tax return. They did not put a hold on it.
Btw Ryan, it might just be easy to file for the credit on your taxes, if you haven’t already. Or you could be one of the luck ones who did not have to wait very long. Good luck and congrats
Just a quick update.. I received my check today, it would be a little over 8 months. Now I can paid some bills and enjoy my new home. To those who are still waiting, be patient, I know that it is hard, because you might have that money spent already and really need it because I did. But for those of you that are believers, trust in the Lord and He will deliver at the right time. To all my new homeowners Congratulation on my our first home and good luck.
I’m going to be closing on my house here in the next couple weeks and all I can say is WTF !!!!!!!?????
I sure hope I don’t have to wait as long as some of you have.
My fiance and I closed on our house 7/5/09,as advised by our real estate agent we filled the 5405 and 1040x forms. We were told we should receieve our credit by mail in 4-6 weeks. She had also mentioned another client of hers recently received hers just 4 weeks after she sent out such forms. 25 weeks later and still haven’t receieved anything. We figured that the IRS would be backed up, and had yet made any phone calls. We figured we waited this long,we may as well find out what’s going on when we go to file taxes this year.
At the end of Dec. we received notification saying the IRS needed a copy of our mortgage statement and HUD1 statement to see if we’d be approved for the tax credit. Why wouldn’t we??! I’ve read all the info and there is no reason why we should NOT be entitled to the credit. Neither my fiance nor myself have ever purchased a home,we’re U.S. citizens,neither of us make more than the 75,000 annually,we did not inherit home from family,and we have not moved out of our home nor plan to etc. I’d also like to mention I think it’s incredibly wrong that in the event you loose your significant other,that your entitled to pay their half of the $8,000 back.
After reading everyone’s comments here I think that it’s in our best interest to contact our tax advocate and see what they can do for us. Thanks to everyone for the insight! Wishing you all the best of luck!
I closed in September, but didn’t send in my amended 2008 tax return until the middle of November. Today I called the IRS and they said a check has been cut, including over $200 in interest and was mailed on January 29th. So for me, it looks like about 10 weeks total. I filed using the old Housing Credit form and attached absolutely no documentation as instructed. Was sent to the Mass IRS office.
Finally! I received a call from my tax advocate that my check is being mailed on February 5th with over $250 in interest. This has taken a full nine months so be prepared to wait that long.
If this isn’t an indictment of just how messed up things are….
I updated on here around the 10th of Jan. that I received the letter saying that I’d been approved and the application was being sent for check processing. I today received a letter from my tax advocate stating that the check would be mailed Feb. 5th. along with the included 250.00 extra interest. My original application was accepted by the IRS July 28 after closing on July 1st. For those questioning direct deposit or check…. It was stated clearly in the original application that no money would be direct deposited for the 1st time home owner credit. Everyone would be cut a check.
Sounds like we got our approval letter around the same time. I never had an advocate. I hope my check is sent next week too.
I received a letter on January 11th that my refund had finally been approved and I should receive my check in 6-8 weeks. Has anyone else received this? Did you actually get the check and if so how long did it take? I just can’t really believe it until I have the check in hand.
Yes, Celeste. I closed on my house June 25. Send in paper work twice. And received a letter dated Jan 8. that I was approved and should received the $8000 plus interest. So now I am waiting just like you. Some said it will come in the mail and other say it will be deposited in my checking account because that is how I requested my 2008 refund to be deposited. So I guess I will just and see. Good luck!
Update
I received my check yesterday on the 8th.
We closed in July 09 and still haven’t even received any confirmation. I am terrified now that we will never get it. I didn’t realize they could deny you if they try to contact you and you don’t respond. I had no idea there was even a confirmation coming in the mail, but I can tell you we’ve received nothing! Not a single mailing. This is a mess. We would have never bought the house knowing this was going to happen. We are really relying on that money to make repairs. Who knew that 7 months later we would be sitting in winter in a house with terrible insulation! This is just sad.
HAS ANYONE ON THIS BLOG RECEIVED THEIR MONEY?
Update
I amended my taxes back in July and I’m still waiting………The letter sent “supposedly” Dec. 15th never got to my home. I was told to call back Jan. 15th, being that she said the letter can take up to 30 days. I called last week to see if another letter was sent and the lady asked me to just mail in the documents. Do you think I’ll have this money by christmas?
I also found out today that in order to receive the First Time HOmebuyer’s Credit, one must submit a HUD settlement statement and proof of ownership.
Wow! Didn’t that make sense a year ago.
Im hearing a lot about “ammended” tax returns. Did anyone file for the credit while filing your 2008 tax return?.I did today, and now looking for feedback from others who may have some info on their wait time?
Update: I purchased my first home on July 2. The IRS has had my amended return since July 13. They sent me to Atlanta exams in September. I didn’t get my first correspondence from them until December 5! I faxed the documents requested on December 7, 30 and mailed on January 7. I then received a letter saying they proposed denying my credit because I didn’t send the documents. Outraged, I contacted the taxpayer advocate service. Finally, yesterday, on the very last day for the taxpayer advocate to contact me, she did. She said the IRS now has three weeks to make a determination. Only on Friday did they admit they received my documents. So, I should get my check in five “short” weeks, bringing my wait to a likely grand total of about 33 weeks. I pray this happens as it should.
Closed on our house in June 2009 and filed an amendment to 2008 taxes they received it Aug 09. I called in November and this rude lady said it was in closed status… and acted like I couldn’t get the money! I said, “It’s my first time buying a house and I met all the requirements I SHOULD GET THE MONEY!” She put me on hold and then came back to say that she would sent it to reviews and I should hear something in a month. I got the letter 2 months later saying it was being processed and it could take another month to hear back from them. My husband is livid and I am annoyed! I’m just glad I am not the only one dealing with this because I thought I had done the amendment wrong, although turbo tax was very easy and walked me through everything! Yeah, so along with the rest of you I have been waiting…. since August 09 with no exact time frame as of when we will get our check!
just an update… as I said before, my amended return was accepted July 28th. Today I finally received a letter stating that my amendment is approved and I will receive a check in 6 to 8 weeks. Why on earth it takes soooo long to cut a check is beyond me but I’m thrilled I see a little headway!!
Please be prepared to wait 12 months in order to receive your refund! I filed mine on 8/27/09! I am still waiting. Hundreds/Thousands of us expected to receive in an 8-12 week time frame. This is the not the case!
BE WARNED!
Thanks,
Going on nine months now. I have a tax advocate who has called me several times with updates, but no real date of when we will receive our “transaction.” Now it’s time to do 2009 taxes. I wonder if I had waited until this year instead of amending our 2008 return, would it have speeded up the refund? What a mess. And just how do they calculate interest on the refund?
That’s a ”””LIE””” because they recieve my fax ON DEC 1 and i call to check on it THE NEXT FEW DAYS and they said it has been updated and to give them 45 day to hear back from them, ””’AND””’i recieve a letter JAN 13 saying that i wiil hear something bye feb.15 so i’m waiting to see because i’m ready i’m ready to get this 8,000 plus tax …….and it has been 32 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have doubled the time frame am SO tired of this mess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I faxed mine to Atlanta twice, once in the beginning of December, once at the end, and then I certified mailed it the first week of January. They have refused to acknowledge receipt of it each time. One agent told me the worst way to send it is faxing. I’m on 28 weeks of waiting. I’m finally supposed to have a taxpayer advocate, and that person failed to call me. Looks like I’ll be calling back the taxpayer advocate service line on Monday to report another failure. This may never end.
deanna you should have fax it because that’s what i did so they could get it faster……. soon as i fax it it took one day to update in the system and i’m waiting on a response between now and the 15 of feb…..girl some of your story sounds like mine ……….
We closed on out first house June 15, 2009. I ammened my taxes and they said they recieved it July 17, 2009. We called several times and on the 1st of December we finally recieved a letter requesting more info. I got it together and mailed it off on Dec. 3, 2009. Called yesterday Jan. 22, 2009 and now they claim they just recieved my paper work Jan. 14th and it will be at least Feb. 20 before they will know anything. Everytime we call the IRS gives us a different answer and we never know what to expect. At one time they said we should recieve the check in a couple of days because it is in the mail and then we talk to another person and he says they didn’t know what they were talking about that they were just guessing on what was going on. I also asked if I would recieve interest on this refund because of all that the people that say they have recieved interest there response was we don’t not give interest on first time homebuyers credit. I understand this is free money but they are doing people wrong leading them on this long and not giving any strait up answers. I have a friend who sent hers off a week before mine and recieve it 5 weeks later. My house was a HUD and I am in my 29th week and still waiting…
I posted a comment a couple weeks ago. I called them again and they assigned to a tax advocate which is a specific person who is in charge of helping me get this money. I called him and left him a message. He called me back the next day and told me the paperwork that I needed to fax over. I faxed it the next day. He called me that day letting me know that he received the paperwork. He said he would send it to them and it would be examined. He said that will probably take two weeks and then I would probably receive it two weeks after that. He said he would call me when he knew something. I am so glad that finally someone is in charge of helping me. It has been 8 months before they could do this, which is ridiculous. Its been a week since I faxed it so we will see if I actually have the money within the next 3 weeks. I had a friend who bought a house in july, sent his in, in july and got his money in august….ridiculous if you ask me!!!!!
I’m hoping you have better luck with the tax advocate. In my opinion the advocate is nothing more then a deterrence. I’ve had one since the beginning of December. and have had all the same promises 🙁 and at least once a month now we get the letter stating that she is working hard on it and we should hear something soon. I filed early July and have given up calling!! If I ever have this money in my hand I’ll be completely amazed!
I have been waiting every since june.2009 and i got a letter dec .1.2009 say that they need hud 1 form and other information { you already know} so i sent it right away fax it so i get a letter today and it said that i would hear something by 2.15.2010 and i’m waiting because i’ve been really ready to recieve it so that i could quit waiting and waiting so hopfully i should hear something by then ……………………… thanks to everyone for your comments because i really thought that i was the only one it was happening to at one point and i am for real yall so now i know it’s not just me ……………………..ps:::::: GOOD LUCK TO EVERY ONE THAT’S STILL WAITING ……. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON MY HEAR BACK FOR THEM…….
IRS received Oct 26th. We’ll be at 12 weeks total time, next week. I hope to get this by next winter *sarcasm*
Seriously, someone should start a class action lawsuit to get someone’s attention.
Bought our home at the end of June. We turned around and filed our amended return in July. They said that they didn’t get it until August and said that I didn’t file my 5405 with the paperwork. Which is rediculous because I am an accountant and know which papers to file. So they said they would send a letter in the mail and I would just have to send in the form. BUT they would have to start the process all over again and NOW it takes between 12-16 weeks instead of 6-8 weeks. So I did what they said…and waited….and waited. I called In Sept, Oct, Nov, and December. Nothing. I finally got ahold of someone at the beginning of January and they said that it was sent to be examined. Now they wanted my HUD statement (which why didn’t they ask for that in the first place), my id with my new address, mortgage statement and something else that showed my address such as a bank statement (yeah right, like I was giving them that information!) or a paycheck stub. At this point, the lady told me there isn’t a time limit and they can take as long as they want on it. But as soon as they do accept it, it can take another 6-8 weeks after that to get my check.
I was going to use that money to winterfy my new home so that my heating bills wouldn’t be so bad. Looks like the government AND the electric company are winning out this year.
28 weeks and counting!
Hello Again,
Anthony after I posted, I checked the mail today and I also received the same letter. So hopefully it will come when they say. It would make it 8 months for me. I guess it is wait and see.
Keep everyone posted
I brought a house June 25. IRS received my paperwork July 2. They sent me a letter requesting information to verify my address. I brought a townhouse with a unit number. I received a letter claiming that I would hear a apply from them Jan 13, 2010 in October. Right before Christmas I decided to call the IRS again, and spoke to a very nice woman, whom than told me, that the letter I received was just the first letter, I would receive another letter requesting more information and that I was not assign an examiner yet. She told what else to send, and hopeful by the time I am assign an examiner all my paperwork will be together and the process will be faster. So far I have send my HUD statement which by the way was with my original amendment, deed paper work, and letter of occupancy. The second round was drivers license with my new address on it, current paycheck with new address on it, car registration new address, and a copy of my mortgage. Oh and by the way, still nothing. So I think next week I will send them, my first born child that I haven’t had yet and a pint of blood. But I pray to GOD that all will work out. I would love to have this money to play off the bills (etc.,credit cards and furniture) I have made for myself since purchasing my very first beautiful home. Keep everyone posted. Good Luck!
Received a letter yesterday from the IRS saying that they approved my credit but not to expect the check for another 6 to 8 weeks. that will make it nine months waiting IF i get it then.
Does anyone have the number to call??
I have not been waiting near as long as most of you, only 10 weeks but I would like to make sure they have at least received my information. This worries me that people are waiting 6-9 months. I though it would only take 8-12 weeks.
Bought the house in April, filed IMMEDIATELY afterwards, still waiting… thankfully we are fine financially but it is just a pain! We are on week 36 and call monthly. We have never received anything in the mail and no one has any answers. Very frustrating.
They received ours on Aug. 28, it went to exams on september 28. Did a referral on December 18 and another at the beginning of January. Called the Michigan taxpayer Advocate and they said they could be on no help because the IRS is in a “Dead Cycle” to wait till the 22nd then try again and then I could file a form 911 if I was in an Economic hardship. Well, I’ve been on the phone for a couple hours now. I called the general line, got a lovely lady who gave me the number of the exams office. So I called them and the lady there said there’s not much I can do here’s the number for the Kansas City Exams office, but you know what…ITS A BAD NUMBER!!! So we’re at about 21 weeks and waiting now with no end in sight, but I am determined to at least get some sort of answer today. Jeez, I could be halfway done with a pregnancy by now:( Its just sad.
been waiting for 7 months. They said they closed our file a month ago, gave us a date of when we should receive the check, that was four weeks ago. Called to see why it didn’t come, they said they can’t tell us when the check would be mailed out but it has been closed. Called back today, they told me to call back in ANOTHER two weeks if we haven’t gotten it.
I send me amendment in on Sep. 4th. They received Sep 8th. On Oct. 26 received letter saying I was sent to exams. On Nov 6th received letter for more information. On the same day I faxed information. Early December (i don’t remember date) I received letter saying they had received the information I faxed and they would get back with me around January 25th. So far almost 18 weeks. I don’t even bother calling anymore. I don’t expect to ever get the check. If I do great but really I don’t find it worth the aggravation. I would have been a nice bonus but not worth stressing out over anymore. I was hoping to have it to help with Christmas but didn’t. I give up the IRS wins.
I sent in our amended return at the end of May 2009 and still have not received my check. I have not even received a letter in the mail requesting addition paperwork. Even though, they have told me twice now that I would receive a letter in the mail. It has been 8 months now and I’m still waiting. Its collecting interest which is nice and all but i’m tired of waiting. I would like to know how much interest and how it is determined?
I amended my 2008 tax return in early June of 2009. It is January of 2010. I still haven’t received my check. I HAVE, however, received 4 different letters from the IRS claiming that they have not yet gotten to my file yet and that I should expect to hear from them at a later time. The most recent says I should expect them to get to my file in February. That’s 9 months.
I closed on Oct 5th and sent my papers in. I called early Dec and was told that on Nov20th my file was pulled for review. What triggered the review was my address on my amended return didn’t match my new home address. Well, turbo tax didn’t let me change my address on my old tax form! Duhh! It’s probably just a line they give you. Anyways, I was told to give it 30-45 days from Nov 20th for them to review. Guess I’ll call tomorrow, although I Really don’t want to because I know it’s going to be some new excuse or review that it is going through. I really need this money by March! I may call my advocate 🙂
We closed on our house on May 25th!!!!! and we are still waiting for the exam dept to process our claim. I have called several times and sent in what I was told to send and I just got off the phone with a guy who says it is not even assigned to a case worker!!!
This does not surprise me really, I was told back in August that the case was closed, only to call back the same day and find out it was not closed…….these people have no idea what they are doing and we have what is easily the most simple claim. We never had a house before, we live here only, the deed has been recoreded for months now. Cut and dry case. I didn’t count on this money when buying the house but we did figure it in for “future remodelling” costs like new breaker box etc etc. Guess those projects will have to wait.
I was told today that I have not even recieved the “569 form” yet which will request additional paperwork. I also tried to get a tax advocate and they are useless unless you are about to be forclosed or your car is going to be repoed…….Bottom line folks, kick up your feet and get a big thick novel to read cause it’s gonna be a long wait when you deal with Uncle Sam’s misfits…..ughhg mm I mean the IRS
I filed my first time home buyer credit in an amended 2008 tax return in September 2009. They received it September 21, 2009. It is January 4th 2010, and still no check. I recently got off the phone with the I.R.S. and now they are telling me it was transfered to another department which has no time frame. According to the representative on the phone, it could take anywhere from 2 weeks, to a year to get my check, or a reason why I was DENIED!!! Basically, I may never get a check for reasons unknown. I legitimately bought a home and fell under ALL of the criteria to qualify for the tax credit. It is very irritating to be told 6 weeks, then 8-12 weeks, then 10-16 weeks, and now I am being told that there is no time restriction and that they can take as long as they want to take. If the government is going to put a policy into place, then they should live up to the expectations in which they advertised. As far as I am concerned, this tax credit is a joke because even if you legitimately buy and qualify for the credit, there is absolutely NO GUARANTEE of EVER receiving it.
This tax credit it very frustrating!!! I closed on July 1 and they received my ammendment in the Fresno office on July 7th. I was told 8-10 weeks, then I was told 12-16 weeks, then I was told it was going to the “examiners officer”. I fax in any and all documentation and I was told that I would have to wait till the 2nd of January to get an answer. I too was begining to think this was a big joke. I called every couple of weeks to get the status and it was just one dissapointing phone call after another. No one was on the same page and no on had any information. As long as you truley qualify for the credit you should get it. I was told yesterday that I was finally approved. Now it has to go to another department to have a check issued. I was told that it would take a minimum of 3 weeks to be issued and that they have no idea if it will be paper check or direct deposit. At first I was told they never do direct deposit on ammendments and now I am being told that however you requested to get your regular taxes back (via direct deposit or paper check) is how I should get my refund. All and all I would say there is a lack of information on the part of the IRS. It is kind of upsetting and dissapointing. They did say that I would get interest going back to July so that is a good thing i guess.
Kacie don’t talk about OBAMA like that he’s doing what he can BUSH is the one got every thing messed up WELL THAT’S WHAT I THINK …………. OBAMA have nothing to do with the IRS being backed up on returns……….And the thing of it ALL is that people see were it is free money like your self, and me to ……. To buy a house and get 8,000 DALLORS come on now it is millons trying to get this credit……………..ps:::::::: I’M NOT BEING RUDE I’M SPEAKING THE TRUTH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mailed my return the first part of june and they got it on 6-15-09 ,and nothing as of yet still waiting on my money ,but i got a letter 4 weeks ago and they said that to send in a hud 1 settlement statement asap, now i’m waiting ,and should hear somthing by 1-11-10 so by the grace of GOD i should recieve my tax credit right after my 2009 taxes now this will be very very lovely …………….I’ve got to the place were i can sit back and wait on it now because christmas is out the way and i had wanted to have it before then so my kid could have a good christmas,BUT THEY DID ANYWAY THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We closed at the end of May, sent our amended taxes on June 3. After a great deal of hoop jumping, we finally received a letter on December 29 saying our refund of $8k will be mailed in 6-8 weeks. It said nothing about paying interest. How do they calculate interest? I would love to know.
everyone wanted CHANGE, well you got it !
….and if you think this is bad, wait untill you are waiting in lines for that FREE public health care everyone wants !
KiRBY,
Amen to that!!! This credit is the perfect example of why we don’t want the government running anything important–they couldn’t organize a 2 car parade if you ask me!
Update from my previous comment. I was told my letter was mailed on Dec. 15th, 09. Today is the 22nd and I haven’t received the letter. The rep. informed me that it will still take several months before I get a check.
Good Luck Everyone!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
The change is good and it s not the presidents fault that there are not good or reliable workers that are working for the federal government(IRS).That was probably working there before he even came into office.Just be patient and pray about,don’t forget it’s free money and you cant count for something you never had.Myself for an example,I’m a single mom of four children closed on my house in November my house need so many repairs and updates but Im not going to stress about because I no that money is due to me one way or another.Also we have to take into consideration that this a wonderful program that the president put in place for first time homebuyers but we’re just at the hands of mercy of someone else(IRS Staff)and I’ve learned that any program that is big and new like this, 9 out 10 there going to be big problems and delays.Also thank the ones who have lied and said they purchased a home when they didnt that’s why the IRS is being more careful.Good Luck!
Rose,
You’re right about one thing–WE DO NEED TO PRAY!!! Pray that the government will leave us and our money alone. . .you must realize something very important and that is this:
The government has no money of their own–they either print it or collect it in taxes, and then they come up with brilliant ways (i.e. this homebuyer credit) to return some of YOUR MONEY (or maybe even your neighbor’s money if he’s in a higher tax bracket) to you!!!!
Don’t put too much trust or faith in the Federal Government–you’ll end up very disappointed!
Follow up from my note from October. You got it, still waiting. Closed 07/23/09. Mailed return 07/24/09. IRS shows received 07/26/09. They did not process it until October. Then they asked for a HUD statement. Mailed that in 10/24/09. They received 10/26/09. (I live in Atlanta and the office that receives the mail for the IRS for my region is local). So, mid November I call, and guess what? “We did receive your paperwork and a check should go out in 2 to 4 weeks.” Cool – I thought, just in time for Christmas. Then I receive a letter, “We’ll review and respond to your submitted paperwork by 1/13/2010.” Are you kidding me? SIX MONTHS from when I closed? and no guarantee I’ll get a check by 1/13/2010? Just a RESPONSE? WTF? That is insane. Holy cow. I am calling my congressmen and senators. Thank God I didn’t plan on that money. (You can’t hear my Sarcasm, but it’s in there. Trust me.
I’m right in there with you! I’ve waited for 25 weeks. provided everything I’ve been asked to provide, called zillions of times and continue to get a run around with the government!. I made a huge mistake of thinking I’d have it in a reasonable time. I tore out my kitchen and bathroom thinking that I’d use this money to remodel. What a jerk I was to think that the government might actually expedite something it promises. I sure wish I could have a real live chat with President Obama and tell him how bad this wait has hurt! But I’m sure he is sitting pretty watching everyone sweat over his idiot promises!
I must agree, the agents are not terribly charming. They go through their routines pretty perfunctorily. But, with a little guile, I think I got what I wanted from them. I believe I have a good understanding of how this systems work. First, let me state that I am an Accountant and a Government Auditor. As such, I was appalled by the inefficiency of the whole process. In any event, here is whats happening:
The 1040X (Return Amendment) form deliberately does not have any room for direct deposit information. That’s on purpose. It creates more of a time delay when you receive your check by mail. That’s all float time. In other words, the more time delay on payments, the long the revenues stay in the Treasury coffers. Also, keep in mind that if you changed your address AFTER you filled your 2008 Tax Return, the Refund check from your Amended Return may be mailed to the original address on the return. Even if you checked the box for a “change of Address.” The process for updating your address is separate from the process for approving your eligibility for the Tax Credit. Even more amusing, you can’t do anything about it! The IRS does not have a way to let you update you address while your amended Return is a “Pending” status. I actually called the Tax Credit Hotline (1-800-829-0582 EXT 462) and asked them to make sure the check goes to the right address (30 days in advance of receiving my check) and they told me that it was all automated and there was nothing they could do. By the way, if your check does go out to the wrong address and gets returned to the P.O. for some reason, it takes them 30 more days to reprocess a check. AND (or you ready for this), if you do not ask them to reissue you a check to your new address, they WILL NOT do it automatically. AND when they do, it will take another 30 days before they mail it to you!!!
One last quick note. In order to verify your status, the IRS gets a HUD statement to verify your purchase. Guess how long that takes? It is not required for the tax payers to include it in his Amended Return, but I think it should be a mandatory requirement to make this process faster.
I grilled the Customer Service Rep (at the number above) for complete information. Remember, each situation is different, but what I wrote is the gist of what the Rep told me.
If I were the Auditor for this process, I would recommend the following changes:
1. Make the address change and the verification process happen simultaneously.
These steps should not be separate.
2. Change form 1040X to allow Direct Deposit (no brainer).
3. Make it mandatory for tax payers to include their HUD info.
4. Send all the Customer Represenatives to CHARM SCHOOL!
If the IRS follows my recommendation, we would have our refunds in a couple of weeks.
I was so shocked to read that so many people are going through a hard time with this tax credit and my story is pretty identical to all of yours. I closed at the end of August and sent in my return in September and they received it on September 15. I have called several times and everytime I get an awful agent on the other line. Today I called again and now they do not know where my return is and told me that I should not even try to call back until 16 weeks and I was furious and told them that I wanted to speak to a supervisor and they refused. So I feel like I may never see this refund because they can not even locate the paperwork which they stated was in exam before.
I hope the IRS gets their act together- now I am working with my US Representative to see if they can provide any resolution. Good luck to everyone!
I spoke w/the IRs today being that I was told to call back on Dec, 11th. After 16 wks, I’m now being told that I would have to wait for a letter in the mail before I submit documents. I asked the rep. when will I receive the letter, she said “I can’t tell you that”. My amended taxes was selected for review and now I have to send proff of settlement, mortgage statement and ID.
Anyone looking to claim this credit, should send the above mentioned documents along with the return to avoid delays.
IRS really needs to get it together.
Just got off with IRS after a wait time of 25 minutes. I closed on 10/13 and sent my paperwork on 10/26. Check with additional $210 of interest has been prepared BUT it will be mailed on 12/18th and will take another 2 weeks before I will eventually receive it. This is the first time I called them and I did not hear anything in between. Best wishes for those who are still waiting…
I also waited over 25 minutes to speak to a rep. I was told to call back on Dec. 11th. It’s been over 16 weeks now. Hopefully, I’ll hear something good on the 11th. JK, did they ever request documents?
Good Luck to all!
I also waited over 25 minutes to speak to a rep. I was told to call back on Dec. 11th. It’s been over 16 weeks now. Hopefully, I’ll hear something good on the 11th. JK, did they ever request documents?
Good Luck to all!
I filed back in August and today is Dec. 6th. I was told that my paper work is still processing. 🙁
Closed on my home June 1st 2009, amended my 2008 Tax Return and sent it off on Oct 13th. IRS recieved it on the 19th of Oct…………..haven’t heard anything yet! I think it’s all a load of crap cause if it takes as long as some of you say I’ll already be working on my 2009 taxes and still be waiting on the credit.
Update #2
I recieved a paper saying that they recieved my paperwork and they should have an answer to me by Dec. 28th. So I waited a week after getting that paper, I then decided to call. I was informed that the paper that was sent was simply a computer generated reply to signify that they recieved my paperwork. However, it was not guaranteed that they would have an “answer” to me by then. I have been waiting since May 19th… it seems like this is credit is never going to come.
Just to follow up, I heard from the advocate yesterday that my credit will be direct deposited this Friday. I went to “where’s my refund” and sure enough it says the same. It took twenty one weeks and a tax advocate but, finally it’s been cleared. Thanks for all the information I got here and, good luck to you all.
This credit is nothing short of a nightmare. Closed 6/26 mailed my amended 7/15, called the IRS 4 weeks ago at week 12 the agent told me it was “under examination”. I said what is there to examine it’s a W-2 and the standard deduction!!! The agent told me they were reviewing most of the returns that the address contained a unit number as they seemed “suspect” (I bought a condo) and to call back in 4 weeks since the standard processing time is now 16 weeks (perhaps they should revise the form to reflect that since it still stays 8-12???). Called back today @ 16 weeks agent told me that they sent out an INITIAL letter of contact 10/10. INITIAL letter at 3 months out, is that hilarous to anyone else? Never received said letter so the agent tells me I have to wait 30 days from the day it was sent before she can do anything. Today is November 16th and the letter was sent October 10th. Told the agent to the math, she got flustered and said “oh. you’re right, sorry i’m lost I don’t really know what i’m doing”. Well, at least she’s honest. She told me she had to send a referral to the service center to re-send the letter since it obviously got lost in the mail (funny, how it seems as the only mail that ever gets lost is from the IRS!). Duplicate copy of information request will take up to 30 days. Let me guess you want a copy of my settlement sheet. Perhaps you should have asked for those UPFRONT (I read the instructions for the 5405 three times because I really couldn’t believe they didn’t want it attached). Agent told me to look at the bright side “it’s free money”. It’s only free money if it materializes lady. Really wishing I could detract my amendment and just file with my 2009 taxes in Janaury, i’d probably see the money sooner. And to think they just extended the program. How are you going to extend a program that you can’t even handle to begin with?
Well I decided to call he IRS tonight to see what was up with our rebate. The wait time wasnt long. I was told they rec it on 7/30/09 and that it was still in processing. It would be out of processing next week and then it would take 2 weeks to get it out to the check dept and then 3 weeks after that we should rec it. Thats christmas eve. Unreal how long this is actually taking.
I contacted a tax advocate and he was extremely helpful, within a week he had my tax credit released (due to hardship) and within two weeks I had my credit with interest. I highly recommend to anyone going through a bad time to contact your advocate, it worked for me and hopefully you’ll get the same results.
Closed on 9/16/09. Mailed my return on 10/1/09. IRS received on 10/5/09. So I am currently at 6 weeks. I am curious, how long should I wait to contact a tax advocate? I had my amended return professional done by H&R block and sent in my HUD statement with my amended return. I called and confirmed that my return has been received by the IRS. Of course, the current time frame is 12-16 weeks for processing. I have contacted my congressman regarding processing time frames. It seems to me that it makes sense to process these credits quickly so that people can use these funds as they wish and this just might stimulate the economy. It is unfortunate that fraudulent activity has created issues for individuals that truly qualify for the credit.
I just got off the phone with the IRS and I have been told that the 5405 was not on my file. Even though I know I sent it along with my HUD statement and the 1040x. It took the IRS six weeks to inform me of this and I only found out because I called them. Does anyone have any suggestions on who I should call next? I went to my local IRS office and they were not seeing tax payers only taking payments. Therefore, I have to wait until I receive the letter from the IRS and then send them the 5405 for the second time. I am told that my processing time will start over even though it was someone’s error in the mail room. I am at wits end on this thing. It isn’t about me needing the money it is about the principle of it all. If this money is intended to stimulate the economy then the money needs to get out to taxpayers so that they can put the money back into the struggling economy. If anyone can provide information on who I can talk to it will be extremely helpful.
Wow!! I typed how long does it take to get your tax credit on ASK. Just Closed on Oct 20th and sent off amended return on 24th. Sounds like I might not see a check until next summer. Not the good news I was looking for. Maybe I should contact a tax advocate now!!!! I do wish you all luck, especially those who have been waiting so long.
I agree we are all in this ship wreck together…..25 wks and still waiting for me, I live in Arkansas, first “true” homebuyer. I am not actually as mad as I was now that I have read this forumn, it makes me feel better that I wasn't the only one waiting FOREVER!!! I borrowed my closing cost and I'm about ready to sell blood to pay it back!
I, too, contacted tax advocate and within three days got my credit released. I even got a follow up phone call yesterday, Nov. 9th, that my check will be mailed Nov. 20th. Can't wait! It's been already 22 weeks! Finally happy in Texas!
I do I find my tax advocate? When I call the IRS just ask for my tax advocate?
Thanks for the help.
Just imagine the efficiencies of the public option. I say that, and I actually support the proposal. I'm on week 8. I'm just thankful that I don't really have a need for the money, and assume that it will get here when it gets here. I called a couple of weeks ago and it was in examination.
After 17 weeks I asked for a tax advocate. It took a week for an advocate to call me. Once the advocate contacted me I had to fax her my HUD, (this is the third time I had to fax the HUD in to someone). She (advocate) said to give her 30 days to get back to me. Same shtuff, 30 days seems to be the rote answer to any questions regarding timeframe. We're now at the end of week 19, this wasn't even an amended form, it was an original filing. It's just ridiculous how long it is taking them to process these credits.
Contact your tax advocate, it helps. I finally did and he was extremely helpful. I would have had to wait an additional 60 days. He was able to have the credit released, the check was manually prepared and it's in the mail, I should receive it Monday or Tuesday. Good luck.
I filed my first application on May 24, the day after closing on my house. It was returned to me as closed 6 weeks later, stating that I have not purchased my home yet. The copies that I made of my applications proved otherwise, but the IRS could not “open” it back up. So I was forced to apply again.
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.
Liz,
How did you contact your advocate? Did you get a number? How would I go about obtaining a number?
You can call this number to be assigned an advocate 1-877-777-4778. After calling this number, they will assign you an advocate in your state. Hope this helps!
I closed on my house on March 23, sent my 5405 and 1040X the following day, and exactly 6 weeks later, received a letter stating that my application had been closed beause I “had not yet purchased the home”. I made copies of the forms I had sent in, and my dates were all accurate. When I called in, they stated they couldn’t help me because they cannot access closed application – I was livid – and I sent in another application.
Round 2 of my application was received by the IRS on May 21. After waiting 6 weeks, I started my round of phone calls with them, only to be told that it will now take 12-18 weeks or whatever it is that they seemed to tell everyone else. Then on September 21, I received a letter from them saying that my application was under examination by another office, and it would be another 60 days before I would hear anything. My patience got the worst of me, and I called back yesterday after reading many of your posts. I was told that they sent me a letter requesting additional information, but that I should receive it within the next 2 weeks. My questions are:
1. How long will I have to wait after I send in the requested information?
2. Why does it take the IRS 2 weeks to send a letter via snail mail, but when I send something via snail mail it takes 2-3 days?
3. There are people in my same neighborhood that have closed after me and already received their return. What is the excuse for this again?
4. Is there a formal place (ie – website, address, email address, hotline, etc) where we can report complaints such as this?
Waiting 8 months (you do the math on the number of weeks) for something that was promised in 2 months is completely unacceptable. If you promise something, you should deliver, period.
I ammended my return at the end of May 2009 and just received my check plus interest in the mail yesterday, February 19th. It took almost 9 months to get my money. The waiting game is ridiculous.
I just got off the phone with the IRS for the N-th time. The previous time they told me that I can call 30 days after my refund has been sent for review, which was today. The lady on the phone told me that technically it would be 30 days at midnight tonight and that I can call tomorrow. She can’t send a referral today because it it technically 29.5 days and the IRS is known for its RIGID deadlines. I just busted out laughing. Rigid deadlines? It has been 23 weeks since they received my return. Was the 16 weeks that it was supposed to take to process it not a rigid deadline? And why is it that nobody can explain to me the difference between processing, examination, and review? I really think that the customer service people are given a list of excuses to give to people that call. I was told a different thing everty time I called until today. Today they told me the same thing they told me when I first called 8 weeks ago. They must have gone through the list and are back on excuse number one.
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.”
This sounds great for those of you who have already received your credit, but I filed in April 2009 and am in my 28th week of waiting for this refund. I received a letter on Oct. 9, 2009 saying they verified my proof and I should see a check within 6-8 weeks. Our government is truly DRAGGING their feet on this! Wish me luck!
25 weeks now and still counting….this crap is gettin a bit ridiculous….. I don’t care what anyone says about the IRS getting bombarded with so many amendments they don’t know what to do with, they SHOULD have been ready…. HONESTLY… did they think they weren’t gonna have anyone applying for this credit?? This would normally be their downtime of the year, but beings this credit was put through, wouldn’t you think they’d prepare a bit better for all the amendments that come in?? Did they hire a bunch of high school accounting students to do these returns or what?? The time this is taking for anyone is just retarded…. I don’t NEED the money right now, but i do know people that DO need the extra money… So i guess i’m speaking on behalf of a few people besides myself…….
i agree with you rob on that about putting it on the news because i am on week 19 and i have been calling and calling and i get a diffrent answer every time and when i sent my papers in i included closing papers and proof that i bouht my house because my tax pro told me that i need to inclued proof that i bouht the home so that they don’t ask for it if something come up… i just want the credit before christmas so my kids can be very very happy i know it’s the same for the rest of yall on here as well that have been waiting i know a gril around the corner from me that close on her house a month after i did and she got her money about 6 weeks ago . she closed july 19.09 and i closed june 15.09 we put our information in the mail about 3day after closing that is something else i am just ready so that i can quit watching for that check in the mail ……………………
I am on week 23 myself. The most frustrating part is that every time I call they give a different answer – it’s in processing, it’s in examination, it’s out of examination, it’s still in processing…. ugh. I just want to be treated like an adult! I don’t think I would have bought the house if it wasn’t for this credit. And since I bought the house, the firm I work for layed off 15% of the staff, cut off bonuses, reduced salaries, canceled the dental insurance, etc. I still have a job, but who knows what will happen next week or next month.
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!
Welllllll… I just filed amended on October 5th, so I’m a very unhappy newbie reading all your comments. It’s nice to serve out platitudes like “don’t count on the money until you get it”, but unfortunately a new house seems to generate it’s own schedule of commitment deadlines that defy the best laid plans.
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.
Well, mail carrier just came by, nothing…looks like there’s going to be a for sale sign up soon. Words cannot describe how I feel right now, it’s been 19 weeks and there is no light at the end of the tunnel anymore. Good thing I haven’t unpacked and that all I have are boxes and 2 mattresses.
Still nothing, I’m hoping that by some miracle there’s a check in the mailbox today. I haven’t heard from my tax advocate since last friday (October 9th) and he said that it can take up to 10 days for someone to get back to him, I’m just hoping that when they got the HUD-1 from him that they just released it. I guess it’s OK to dream, right? Still no job, have sent out a countless amount of resume’s, nothing. College degree, over 25 years in my profession, willing to take a 30% cut and still nothing. In the meantime, mortgage payment has not been paid this month, 29 degrees and no heat so my son and I are sleeping in the same bed with 4 covers and the dog to keep warm. If I would have known I was going to be laid off 30 days after buying the house I wouldn’t have done it. I had reserves that lasted me 3 months, that’s gone. Ten days will be on 10/23, if my tax advocate tells me…I have no news, Saturday 10/24 the house is going up for sale. So much for the American Dream.
I tried to apply early for this credit assuming that no one would ever look at it until after my closing date. So I sent it in two weeks early hoping to get a jump on things. About a week after I sent it in I got it back saying “You can’t apply until after your closing day.” Darn. So now I’m in the waiting game with everyone else. Good luk to us all…
Just got off the phone with the IRS and was told the same thing. Still in examination. Sent my amended June 8th and sent in additional information the first week of August to Austin office. I asked why it was taking so long. I told them there were others who received their money in 5 weeks or so out of the Austin office, but they said it depended on the tax examinder’s workload. They told me to wait another two weeks. I was really counting on money about a month ago. Guess I can’t count on that.
So… those of us that got interest — does anyone know if we’re going to get 1099-INTs for this? I’m guessing “yes.”
Yes you have to claim the interest next year on your taxes. My FTHBC took 11 weeks and five days to get. I closed July 28 and received it today.
Yes – you will get a 1099-INT….sad, but true
The IRS wasn’t ready for the deluge of home buyers who qualified for the $8000 tax credit. They have been hit with thousands upon thousands of ammended returns around the country. Even so, 12 to 16 weeks and longer even? That’s absurd. But, I, as all of you, am in the same boat. On week 14 now and the last call said 12 to 16 weeks. The IRS rep gave me a date of 11/16/09, which is actually 18 weeks form when she confirmed receipt of the return. So, I don’t think even the IRS knows when a return will be processed and when, or even if, a check will be cut and mailed. I purchased a house primarily because of the credit. I had assumed that it would take 4 to 6 weeks and actually included this money in my budget for August and September. Of course now, with no check from the IRS I had to use my credit cards to pay for work that needed to be done to the house. So, my advice, file the amended return but don’t count on the money any time soon. Don’t rely on getting this money for paying bills with deadlines and such. You’ll only end up disapointed. We will all just need to wait until the check is in our hands and trying to burn a hole in our pocket.
Well – the saga ends for me! After many calls to the IRS, and many actual status updates — it’s in examination, it’s out of examination, the book entries have been made, the check will be sent, I got the actual check today. Funny thing is, I have a small offset with the IRS (some stupid old state tax thing from years ago) — when they told me the check mailing date was last Friday, they said “you’ll be getting it offset.” I was fine with that, but when the check showed up today.. full value plus $147.75 interest.
Mailed to Fresno May 12
Check received October 13
Five months plus one day.
I called to make sure they got it at about the 4 week mark. They confirmed reciept and said it would be about 8 weeks to process. At 7 weeks I called to see if it was processed/processing and was told it wasn’t and now it was 8-12 weeks. At the 12 week mark I called and was told it wasn’t processed and it was now 12-16 weeds. At week 15 I called to see if it was even processing and it still wasn’t. On the day of the 16th week I was told it was not processing and was now sent for referal for 30 more days. My address didn’t change because I thought we’d have the check sent to our old home before the new one was fully built….8 weeks from close. This is just ridiculous!
I am in the same shoes as some of you i amended my tax return on may 13th 2009 for the 1st time home buyers, and also mailed all the necessary documation they required. This is almost six months and still waiting. When I called and spoke with an agent he said I will received more papers to send back what is this more and more paper yet other people gots their before this is ridulous. I prayer and hope something positive comes out of this because each representative have a different topic when I called. Waiting patiently
I mailed my return July 2 and just talked to the IRS. He said I’ll be getting a letter from the Audit Department asking for more information but he couldn’t tell me when the letter will be sent if it hasn’t already. Then at least 45 days for processing the info I send back. I said, “So do you think I’ll get the money this year?” He said, “No, ma’am. I don’t.”
Merry Freakin’ Christmas.
We mailed our 1040X at the end of May and still have nothing to show for it 18 weeks later. Government-run anything stinks in my opinion.
Finally contacted my tax advocate and I qualify because of the hardship I’m going through. He received my fax, walked it to the examiner (they happen to be in the same building) and he said it could take up to 10 days for them to get back but it could be less. I’m really crossing my fingers that the check is mailed by next Friday if not, I’m putting the house up for sale and move back into my apartment (where my oldest son lives now) but I’m not going to let this ruin my credit and I’m not going to get into a hole I can’t get out of. If I don’t get a check by next Friday then F*** them. My main concern is finding a job, feeding my youngest son, and paying my bills. A house is just a house, I haven’t been in it long enough to even have settled in. Haven’t even been able to decorate or take anything out of boxes. No furniture just 2 beds, so…F*** them. Yes, I’m upset, very upset.
Liz,
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!
We sent our amendment in on 5-5, they received it on 5-8, but they couldn’t tell me this until 9 weeks had already passed. Called numerous times, talking to a different person each time, and they all said something different. “Well sir, your amendment is still in processing”, “Your amendment went in for examination.”, “It just came out of examination.”, “Well it’s still processing sir, i can’t tell you much more until after our computers are updated this weekend.”, call back on monday, “It’s still in examination sir.” Then just 3 days ago, about 22 weeks later, they finally send us a packet requesting more documentation… Are you kidding me, honestly…. Just wondering how much longer it’s going to take now… it’s starting to get old…. It’s my money and I want it now!! 😛 HAHA
Update #1
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
Mjohnson
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!
After 8 and a half weeks, I have received a letter from the IRS (Fresno) requesting further documentation. They want an occupancy permit for a newly constructed home. I don’t have one because it wasn’t required where I built. Guess I’ll be calling an inspector today, but even though I live here now, I’m not sure there’s enough done to qualify for the occupancy permit. I’ll find out more in a few hours.
Hey Marsha – I was wondering if you have had any updates on this. I think me and my husband will fall into the same category as you. My question is did you file for the 2008 or 2009 tax credit? What did you send with your amendment only the form from the IRS or did you include any other documents such as a letter etc.? We too was not required to do a building permit or certificate of occupany or have any inspections done on our home because it does not fall within the any jurisdiction. We do not live in the city limits, we are not restricted by any zoning laws and we purchased the property for that reason. We wanted that way so that we could build whatever kind of home we wanted and have livestock or animals if we wanted.
I filed my ammendment 2008 return on 9/4/2009 and asked the postal office what the best method was to confirm receipt. They advised me to choose priority mailing which required a delivery signature, although this was a PO Box address in Fresno. I never received a signature confirmation and now I am wondering if they even received the tax ammendment…any suggestions?
Our status was: They received our 1040X and 5405 on July 31st. It went to a processor, on August 13th. I have been calling every week (1-800-829-0582 Ext. 462), since August 13th.
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.
Which IRS office did you send it to? I sent mine to Fresno, CA. I was told the same thing – Oct. 16th but that it would now be direct deposited which surprises me because I thought they only send it by mail. Maybe they are finally speeding the process up…I sent my request on June 1st – 4 1/2 months…unbelievable the way the drag their a$$es. I can afford my home but my car died about 3 mos ago so I’ve been struggling on transportation. Knowing this money is coming to me but not knowing when has been the most irrarating part of this process. Especially during unexpected hard times.
i sent out my ammended return on June 17th with my closing statement as back up. i just recieved my check on October 5th. 2 days before the estimated 16 week processing time was up. i live in southern california but the return address from the mailed chaeck was from philadelphia(?). good luck people!
Oh my gosh, just read your email lori. I, too, filed my return in Austin office still haven’t received anything. I’m going on week 17. Was told still in processing. You are so lucky to have received in such a timely manner.
Well I’m in New York State and for some reason ended all the way up in Kansas! I just hope it doesn’t get sent to OZ along with Dorothy and Toto!!!!!!!!!! 18 weeks and counting, send HUD-1 last week, will be calling tomorrow to see if they got it.
I know weird how these things work out. I sent my amended return to the Atlanta office and after 18 weeks received my check yesterday from Austin, TX…Maybe they are distributing to less busy offices to help with the delays. It might be a good thing.
Has anyone been able to check their status on the Where’s my refund website?
Information regarding amended returns is not available on “Where’s my refund?”
I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. I sent in my amended return sept 5th and they received it in Austin Sept 9th. I checked my bank account to tonight and there’s an $8000 credit from the treasury. Apparently they have started doing direct deposit in order to speed up the process. It worked for me cause I received my money within a little over 3 weeks from them receiving my info.
What form to mail except 5405 to get $8000 credit ? There is no place to sign. Please help.
You also need form 1040X to actually amend your taxes.
I’m jealous I sent mine in to Austin the day before you. Wish mine had come that fast.
How is this possible, when the IRS is sending the tax credits via paper check?! Furthermore, your check wouldn’t be a flat $8K, because the IRS has to pay you interest on the $8K!!
When I called a couple of weeks ago I asked the man about direct deposit and was told they normally do not direct deposits on amendments but because they were so behind they were going to start sending direct deposit.
Hi Guys. I had filed mine on 4/22 and received by IRS on 4/26. I finally saw my check after 23 weeks. I had applied in Fresno and looks like most of the people applying in Fresno see their return in week 22-week 26.
Update: Finally some good news! The IRS received my amended return on 5/29 in the Atlanta ofc. and it remained “in processing” for the full 16 weeks. 16 weeks to the day I called and low and behold it was out of processing and had moved to adjustments. No definitive info was available at that time. I called 1 week later, week 17 and was told that my check would be mailed on 10/2 with interest. 18 weeks, not exactly 6 but I’m thinking that eventually, this check will materialize in my mailbox. I am thankful I was able to take advantage of the program but I would have really appreciated a smoother process or at least more efficient communication. For those of you who are not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel – hang in there.
I called the IRS today and they showed that they received by ammendment on 7/27 and that it was CLOSED out on Aug. 13th. I asked what that meant and the guy said,”I’m not sure, it doesn’t say” “I will have to put in a referral and find out” You should hear something back in about 30 days! Nice!
I just spoke to IRS and of course was told still in process. I was also told that they should be getting to my file in 2 to 3 weeks before making a determination. They said its taking so long because I filed amened return. They said review process only takes about 30 to 60 days but that they didn’t get my original return in their office(Austin, TX), until early August. They did see I sent in amended return in June, but doesn’t matter. Apparently, took a long time for local IRS office to get my file before they could review. Will follow up in 2 weeks Honestly, I don’t expect a check until early November if I’m lucky.
Well I got a letter yesterday and they’re requesting my HUD-1, I mailed it in today, I’ll be faxing it in on Thursday when I go to my old office to use the fax machine. Let’s see what happens now.
I am on week 16 going on 17. I sent mine to the Fresno, CA office….so slow. It’s just now in the review stage. I was told just last week that they are questioning why I claimed interest on real estate payments in 2007. This made them believe I was a home owner that year and has caused a further delay. Although, I never owned a home in my name – I was claiming the interest because I was the one making the mortgage and working but it was in my boyfriends name. He moved out and I had no choice. He eventually let it foreclose. So, just a heads up for anyone who may have put real estate interest payments on their taxes…they may delay it to further check in to it.
Thanks for that advice. Fortunately I live in a State where that can’t happen, plus I was with the same employer for 10 years and it was very unexpected and unfortunately the company I work for lost A LOT of money because of the Madoff scam so it was really not something that was planned. When the bank qualified me I more than qualified income wise, I was approved for a higher amount and could have bought a home that cost more but instead I looked for a long time for a home that was almost 40% less to the amount I was approved for thinking that I did not want to over extend myself and I didn’t want to pay more than what I paid for rent and with patience and perseverance I found a beautiful home with everything I wanted in the price range I wanted. After mortgage payment AND bills I still stayed with over 1,500 a month. I’m so glad now that I didn’t go for what I was approved for but with this new situation everything has changed. I CAN still over the mortgage and bills it’s the extra expenses for winter that’s killing me. The oil for the furnace that I have to fill up and winter clothes for my son, none of his stuff from last year fits him. Those are the things I’m worried about, how are we going to get through the winter. Like I said, my reserves are basically gone, I have just enough to cover but not for anything more. I hope I see a check this week and that I get a reply from one of the many places I’ve sent my resume to and been interviewed.
Well I’ll be going into week 16 next week, they told me to wait until the 29th and if I haven’t heard or received anything to call them back. I’m expecting to hear it’s still being reviewed call back in 2 weeks. At this point I’m must worried that I still haven’t found a job, it’s starting to get cold and I don’t have enough money to fill my oil tank to heat the house. It’s been a struggle but I’ve been able to make the mortgage payments on time and bills but my cushion is gone, I had a 3 month cushion which I managed to stretch to 4 months but I’m at the bottom of the barrel. If I don’t find a job and don’t receive this money I really don’t know what I’m going to do. If I put the house up for sale…I lose that money, if I stay and I don’t find a job I’m going to fall behind. All I know from this ordeal is that I feel I’ve been SCRWD … buy house, lose job 30 days later, reserves gone, no first time home buy money, advocate hasn’t done a thing, congress woman never replied to my two emails. I don’t even check the mail box anymore, I don’t believe it’s coming.
Liz,
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
I’ve been reading all your stories. Makes me more frustrated. I read on another website that one person filed their amended on 08/01 and got their money 08/29. Can you believe that?! Sounds like a completely random process. I’m going on my 16th week. Plan to call next week not that it will due any good. I’m sure I’ll be told that its in process. I was told 2 wks ago that it’s been assigned to an examiner which I was told by the IRS rep that is a good thing. She said to call back next week if I haven’t heard anything by next week.
YAHOOOOO!!!!!
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……….
I read alot of your replies and it sounds like I wrote most of your posts… Now to my story…
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!
April 27, 2009: Closed on my first home in Richland, WA.
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!!!!!!
Where can I sign it?
It’s only three pages.. but there is no place to sign on the first page on form 5405?
Please let me know!
Tks!
It was never owned by a relative. I am now appealing. I don’t even know any of the previous owners.
Bought my condo in April. 2 weeks ago I finally called the IRS. They said my claim was denied and they would be sending a letter. This week I received a letter that stated the claim was denied because it appeared the residence was aquired from a relative. This is not true. The home was a forclosure and bank owned. Now I have to appeal the decision. This is rediculous!!!
If the home was originally owned by a relative and THEN foreclosed upon as bank-owned, it counts. Carefully read the fine print of this bill on who qualifies and how.
Well still nothing, I called two days ago the gentleman that took my call sounded like he didn’t want to be bothered, he was like….do you know that it’s taking 16 weeks now? I said NO! So he asked for all the usual information blah blah blah, he then asks me, did you get a letter from us I said not for the amendment but I did get a letter asking me for money for my 2007 tax return is that the one you’re inquiring about? He said yes, I told him I sent in the paperwork, he check and said they have it. So I said “I replied back quickly can you please now reply to my credit?” He said that if I don’t have anything by the 29th of September to call back then or I can call before, it’s up to me. WHAT TYPE OF A RESPONSE IS THAT? So I don’t know how to interpret that except as “F**k off”
I submitted an amended tax return for the tax credit on April 10th of this year and I have yet to recieve it as of today 09/19/2009. I have called several times and each time they say they are reviewing it and states it will be another month.
PJP–Same boat here. Spoke to the IRS last night, they are putting my check in the mail today–exactly 20 weeks after my paperwork was received.
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..)
I received my refund on Monday–20 weeks. They are overrun with amended returns, but they will, as long as they are NOT fraudulant . . . go through fine. Be patient. Mine was not investigated and went through fine. Slow, but fine. When you think about it, none of us would be getting a dime any other year, so . . .
PJP
wake up all you 1st time home buyers looking for your 8000 tax credit from the irs like me how many of us are claiming this credit as a amended form compared to the actual irs tax season from jan til april 15th deadline you cant tell me in there off season after april 15th they cant handle our amended tax forms in a more timely manner what else are they doing in the off season or are they not prepared to handle this new 8000 credit the politicians came up with maybe they need to be aware of whats going on in holding up our refunds buy the way its been 12 weeks for us
Today I only waited 20 minutes and got to talk to a live person. She told me that my amended return had been received and was in process. She also said that amended returns normally take about 12 weeks, but due to the extra load this year, the “average” estimate is now 16 weeks. I am guessing that is for returns that are not flagged for audit.
If Congress expands the tax credit from $8K to $15K, could you re-amend your return for the difference? We have already submitted our 1040X and 5405 for the $8K.
Don’t tell anyone, but the $8000 credit was actually just more bailout bonanza for the banks, who own a great many houses — they simply added $8000 to their valuations when pricing the REOs – so, for every house they sold into a distorted market, they gained $8000 and the buyer simply takes on that much more debt – for the next 30-40 years!
Not true.
Why do I have a funny feeling someone has been watching the chicken little show (AKA Glenn Beck)
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS ARTICLE??!!!!!!!!!
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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!!!
This will NEVER go through–Isakson and Dodd are just trying a bizarre tactic for votes–and it should NOT go through. Think about it: The whole point of the refund was to encourage FIRST time buyers with lower incomes to buy houses. So, you have to be a true first time buyer, (3 years), you have to actually live in the house for 3 years without renting it out (so no investors), and you have income restrictions. This is OUR taxpayer money. I don’t mind seeing it go out to such a limited audience, but I’ll be damned if I (WE) are going to subsidize wealthy investors who will exploit loopholes. Obama’s whole point to this is to encourage HOME owners, not more speculators. Multifamily means apartment houses–do you really want to subsidize landlords (and slumlords)?
It’s crazy and stupid. it undermines the whole point of the original stimulus bill.
PJP
week 6….haha, you may want to wait for week 16 before you waste your time contacting the IRS–unless you are calling to make sure they received your return, which isn’t a bad idea. 16+ weeks is the norm it seems unless you are lucky enough to avoid further examination. I’ll be trying them again this evening most likley–tomorrow is 20 full weeks w/no check or correspondence. (and yes, on May 1 they received my amended return).
I am only on week 6 of my wait. Tried calling last week, spent 15 minutes muddling around in the “press a number” menu system, then was on hold for 45 minutes, after which the call was simply dropped. I sent an email to my congressman and senators. Haven’t heard anything back yet, maybe because they don’t yet have any canned responses for this…..yet. All 3 of them voted “aye” on the ARRA, so I would hope they have an interest in seeing it succeed rather than make things worse.
It has be a headache trying to get my “First Time Home Buyers Refund”. I sent my form in on June 25, 2009 but still have not received my refund as of 9/16/09. I had to send in more Documentation and did so immediately, that was around the end of July. My tax preparer says it is because they decided to audit mine, they are over whelmed with the refunds, and there have been many people trying to illegally cash in on the refund. I have no luck. Last time I called they said it’s been received and I will either have to provide more information, or I will receive my refund by the middle of OCT. We shall see its …….CRAZY…..
working on week 20 now and still nothing has come in. At week 16 I spoke with an IRS operator who was able to confirm my file was sent to the Examiners office for more investigation. I haven’t tried to call since that time for a second update so it’s been 3+ weeks since the last time I called–but I’m wondering if anyone else has had a situation where their file also was selected for further examination and never had additional documentation requested. I have received no correspondence from the IRS requesting more docs at all…………….at this point I’d be happy with a letter requesting something/anything so I at least know they are working my file.
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?
I filed a 1040x on March 26, 2009. Still have not received my credit after almost six months!! I am now dealing with a tax advocate who seems to not be helping at all, only making it worse. Supposedly my return was “selected” for examination because of all the fraud going on. I’m 22, just got married (was expectig the money for wedding/honeymoon) and they thining I’m frauding them. If I was lying then I wouldn’t be trying this hard to find out what’s goingon. I have many more details of anyone wants to hear more.
Hang in there. We filed on March 29 and went through the whole “we need more docs” thing, inept operators at the IRS, and incompetent agents at the field office. I figured that a huge influx came to them and they were trying to weed out any fraud by sending select returns to the Examiner’s Office (which is where ours ended up). The letter came that we would be getting the credit plus interest and there would be another 6-8 week waiting period. We got it 6 weeks exactly after and with interest. The whole process took 25 weeks.
Finally received 25 weeks later! All $8155!
I sent my amended return on April 15th. I heard that my problem may be that I filed my taxes individually, but the house was purchased with me and a joint. Mine has been in review for the past 3 weeks as of August 15th and the operators are unable to tell me anything. I was basiclly told to wait to hear from us and quit calling. The frustrating part of it is that I had a friend get his back 8 weeks!!I had plans for this morning, but that has now gone out the door. I just want my money!! Atleast I am getting interest on this money while they hold it.
I closed 3/3/09, mailed my amended return on 3/26/09. After 8 weeks I called and they told me it would be more like 12-16 weeks. At 16 weeks they told me my file was under evaluation/review and additional documents were needed to verify I was eligible for the tax credit. I received the letter end of June and immediately sent back my HUD settlement statemened and copy of the deed from my county. I made sure I faxed, and certified mailed the copies. DO BOTH!!! It took 4 weeks for them to tell me they got my documents on June 25th. They had 60 days to review my documents. I got a letter last week stating that they reviewed my documents and found that I am eligible for the tax credit (duh, I’ve never owned a home). Now it’s going to take another 6-8 weeks before they mail out the check. 6 months later and still no $8,000. I live in the Atlanta area and I have called the IRS so much they are on speed dial. It is sad that when our government owes us money we have to wait forever but if we owe money they will garnish wages, bank account liens everything in order to get their money. FYI anyone who is depending on this money to pay bills or making any plans, DON’T DO IT… There is no way of saying for sure when you will get the check in the mail.
Well, because I like to torture myself, I called again. I guess mine, filed May 10, got kicked into manual review on August 19th. They couldn’t tell me what this meant other than “some are being looked at randomly” and that I would get a letter if they needed more info. They say no letter has been generated.
I’m beginning to think this $8,000 is like the pegasus, the unicorn or the jackalope — urban legend!
I filed May 29, it was received first week in June. Also sent to Fresno. Still waiting. I too was told that the computer spit out a question about having a unit number and something about apartments can’t be purchased so it was being evaluated.
Sitting here in breathless anticipation!
i live in dallas -fort worth. filed 5 weeks ago. called irs today and was told it will be mailed this friday. 6 weeks total. with interest.
Hi, all,
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
I am now wondering if our family should have waited to file our amended return, due to this new revelation:
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.
Hi, Bryen,
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/news/la-fi-harney9-2009aug09,0,4588863.story
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!!!!
I’m actually kind of curious about what happens if next February rolls around and there’s still no check. Obviously by that point, I’ll regret amending the return and would have been better off just filing for 2009…..
When I first read this article, I was on week 16 of the wait! Ha! Six weeks would have been a dream for me. It’s a nightmare of wasted calls and time. By the time I get it, it will be close to next tax season.
was back on the phone with the IRS last night…16 weeks had passed w/out anything so I decided to try back. Basically said by file was sent for further evaluation but the person on the other line could not tell me why or who I could contact to provide more information to expedite the process (naturally). I was told I could try back every two weeks for a status or I would eventually receive notification if more information was needed and/or my return was accepted or denied…”There is no specific time frame from this point forward…” is what I was told. I assummed I was pretty squeaky clean, not sure of what red flags could have sent my file for further review–leads me to think they may just be doing that at random for fraud control….
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….???
John, I did my amended return through TurboTax. Should have been fine. To add to my situation, back in week 10, I spoke to a rep at the IRS who said that “if we haven’t registered it as received by now, it’s lost. Send another one.” Which I did. That just screwed things up more.
DON’T send duplicates even if they tell you to!!
Closed on my new home on May 7th. Admended my tax return and mailed it the next day… I called IRS 2 weeks ago saying that it was still in “process”.. still no check yet.
Question:
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.
Latice, I too sold my last house in 2005, but that should make no difference (you’d think anyway). But maybe you’re right. To complicate things for me, my now ex-boyfriend had created a trust and made us joint trustees on his home–new grant deed was issued. I never actually owned the house, and would not have unless he died, but I wonder if that’s messing me up. Then again, from the sound of those who sent their returns to Fresno, being on week 18 sounds par for the course. Argh.
Latice,
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!
16 weeks passed as of 08/21…still nothing.
Well I got a letter from the IRS saying that my taxes have been reviewed and they found an error and that I owe $546.00 and how am I going to pay it? The irony … you gotta love it. In the meanwhile I’ve been waiting 12 weeks for my first time homebuyer credit, hopefully this does not mean that it’s going to be delayed more than mid September and that they’ll send me the check WITH the $546.00 deducted or are they going to hold on to this till I pay? I’ll be calling the advocate office on Monday, this is not right. If there was a mistake, fine but at least tell me in the letter that the check is being mailed….or is this a different department? I’ll be calling on Monday and find out what the deal is here. :=(
I built my own house on property I have owned for 11 years. There are no closing documents. What kind of documentation am I going to be asked to provide? I already filed my amended return on August 3. I’ve moved in and submitted all my address changes, but there is much work still to do, and I need the rebate to do it. According to the IRS website and a CPA I called, I should be eligible. But what kind of hoops will I have to jump through? Building a house is stressful enough, without this added uncertainty. I will report back on what happens, but if anyone else is in the same situation, I’d love to hear about it.
Thank you Justin, I am going to try calling the IRS one more time, if I don’t get a response then I’m going to contact that number. I’m collecting unemployment but as we all know it’s only a fraction of what I made, I am getting the maximum so that has helped to stretch the “cushion” I have but I’m getting to the bottom of the barrel and once that “cushion” runs out my unemployment would only cover the mortgage and that’s it, the utilities, car, food, and gas would not be covered AND I have a child to sustain as well so I really hope this comes through because the job market is dead and even with my 20+ years of experience, working constantly for over 30 years, and a college degree….and even taking a 30% cut on what I was making….still can’t find a job. Hopefully, something will come through, I appreciate your information, God Bless.
Well today I called again because I was told a month ago that my amended 2008 return was received by the IRS on June 9 and that I should check back in August. I called last week, was told to call in a week, I called today and she didn’t even CHECK, she just asked when did you mail it, I said it was mailed on 6/3 and received by the IRS on 6/9, she said, oh it’s too soon, call back late September. She didn’t ask for any information, she didn’t try to find out, she didn’t try to do anything, she just GOT RID OF MY CALL. I had the money for the down payment and I had money to furnish my new home, what I wasn’t counting on is that I would be laid off in the end of June…fortunately I had that reserve and it’s served as a cushion but two months have gone by and I’m going into month three, reserves are GONE. At this point if I don’t get this money by Mid September at the latest…I’m going to lose the house that I just bought!!!!
Liz, go to this website http://www.irs.gov/advocate/content/0,,id=150972,00.html and look up the number for the local tax advocate near you. This is a service that can help you to get your refund sooner if you are facing economic hardship. I’m not exactly sure as to what the requirements are but I know a few of them have to do with shut off utilities and threat of forclosure. You are also going to want to make sure you get a hold of any documents they may need such as closing statements. Also, I have called a lot and gotten people to look up my file and give me details. I would try again. The worst they will do is tell you to not call so often, but who cares, you need this money. I have the same situation except thank God I still have my job. I was waiting for this money to pay for my wedding in 3 weeks. Luckily a friend fronted me some of the money so I will be fine. Also, consider applying for unemployment. You are a taxpayer so you have the right to these services. I hope this helps you. God Bless.
My Uncle and best friend sent their forms in on sep. 20 2009, and recieved their letter and their money on oct. 5. I sent my forms in on September 15th and still havent recieved any thing, no letter anything.Im trying to be patient and not worry that i will not recieve it. when i callled the IRS hotline i was told that this is now taking up to 12-16 weeks. But im still wondering how did my uncle and best friend recive thiers before i did?
“Keep in mind that if your paperwork requires manual intervention, like an address change, or if the information you provide does not match what the IRS has on file, your credit could take longer to receive.”
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 closed on April 15th, and mailed the return on the 16th. Customer Service has receipt on May 5th. 8 weeks went by, called, and they said it would now take 8 to 12 weeks… I waited and called back at the end of July, and the agent said it would now take 12 to 16 weeks. Meanwhile, I now have about half of the $8000 wrapped up in credit card debt for the home purchase I made 5 months ago… For something that was supposed to jump-start the economy, all it’s done is put me in debt…
I know some people recieved their credit before they even settled on their homes. The IRS sent my form back and requested the HUD-1, so make sure you send that. I sent mine on 31 July and I do not expect to hear anything for 16 weeks now. My refund went to the Kentucky office. Anyone aware of how backed up they are? I wish they had some way for us to track it online. If anyone knows please reply.
Good luck!
Yes I agree they definitely need a way for us to check it online. IWe’re at week 9 still waiting. We were going to put a privacy fence up with the money for our puppy and he is sadly having to stay at our parents until the money comes in. I am very appreciative of this incentive but i feel cheated that we haven’t received it already. We have friends that bought a house about a month before us and received their $8000 back in 3 weeks!! Guess it is the luck of the draw!
Week 15….now I recieved a letter requesting more information!!!!
It has been 16 weeks and not seen my refund yet. I called the agent and she said that she is putting in a “referral” and that IRS agent has upto 30 days to respond to that. Super duper slow. BTW, I mailed my refund application to Fresno as well. I thin Fresno is the slowest fo them all.
A referral will do no good if it’s in the Examiners Office. They are totally backlogged and tasked to do quality control. Believe me, I did my share of investigating.
I closed on my house Mar 9. and mailed my 1040x on mar 10. It took them almost 12 weeks just to write and tell me to send the hud1 settlement. They are now telling me i should hear something by Sept. 1. As of me writing this Sept 1 is only two weeks away and still nothing. This will make 6 months since filing my 1040x . I just got off the phone with IRS and now they are saying at least another 30 days. This is so frustrating. That will make it almost 7 months, Its ridiculous. This whole tax credit was the governments idea and they were obviously completely unprepared for the large number of ammended returns.
The average time for those of us (me included) that had to send Hud settlement as additional information is 32 weeks. Sorry but you are going to have to keep waiting. I am in the Atlanta area and in the same boat as you. They are not going to hurry to send us free money.
Same boat here… I am on week 30.
Well, while it may not be “free money” per se, it is still money that we are entitled to under the law. We are no more or less entitled to the $8,000 tax credit than any other homeowner is entitled to deduct mortgage interest.
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.
You make such a great point Bryen that should be so obvious….but unfortunately we are dealing with our Government that is supposed to be “By the people, for the people.”….LOL
I closed in March, filed my ammended return at the end of april. They said they received the ammended return in early may. They also told me 12-16 weeks now. When i check the “where’s my refund” site, nothing shows. I am not at 15 weeks and very scared because this is how i am paying for my wedding in 4 weeks!
I understand you completely. I closed on my house in April, and it was supposed to help with my OCTOBER wedding. I still haven’t received my refund, and this week will be 16 weeks. It finally showed up in their system on week 12 (I started calling around week 10) and then week 13 they told me it would be 3 more weeks. So if I don’t get it this week, I’m going to be pretty peeved. Yes, I understand that there are different processing centers, but there really is no excuse for someone to have a 6 week processing time and someone in another part of the country to have a 16 week processing time. The IRS should do a better job delegating employees if location is the case.
OH, JUSTIN!! Sweetie, NEVER depend on something like this for paying for your precious wedding. I sincerely hope your refund has already come as of this writing.
Please do not depend on this money to pay for your wedding. I can guarantee you if you they received it in early May and you are now at 15 weeks it will not come in time. You need to find another means to pay for your wedding. Sorry but you cannot depend on this money to pay anything by a certain date.
You can’t use the IRS website to check a homebuyer’s credit. You have to call.
The IRS recieved by 1040x on 4/30. I’ve called and was told pretty much the same thing as everyone else. Its been in evaluation for the past 6 weeks now. Still waiting..
same here and the time went from 6-8 weeks, 12-16 weeks, 18-24 weeks and all this got started in april….not only that when they requested more paperwork once i received it i mail it back alone with extra paperwork so they wouldn’t have to send it back this all was sent back in june they still said they needed more stuff which i call and said no u have everything when i asked what they needed it was that same extra paper that i sent in that the lady argue with me about and said in didnt send i just talk to a ms middleton and out of all the 100 workers i talked too she sat their patiently and took her time to find the paper that the other lady said i didn’t send right in their system although it will 30 days i know someone is actually working and want to help
yes… but they don’t have to pass it back into your bank account 🙂
Just wait till yours takes more that 6 months to get and we will see if you are a little frustrated then……
I applied for my rebate on August 10,2009. IRS has an ‘excuse’ every time I call as to why I haven’t received my money. It is now January 14, 2010. I do not have anything complicated for them to investigate in my life. Yesterday the IRS, (very nicely, I want to add), told me everything is on tract and my check should be done in 4 weeks, then a check cut in 14 days after that. Why?????
This is FREE money so stop crying about it. Im waiting too and believe me I could use it! Be pateint 🙂
Sorry Angel… this is NOT free money. This is paid by the taxpayers. We are all paying for it.
It is not free money for the ones that bought a home in 2008, it does have to be paid back 500.00 every year for 15 years. Also I think we all are well past due for a tax credit, God knows they sure have took as much as they want out of our pay checks and they an’t gonna accept , well you can pay us when you feel ready to, you know what I mean. If you owed the irs money they sure would not wait to get paid they would attach to your wages and take it.
We have waited since May 5 2010 and have spent more than 50.00 coping papers and sending it certified mail For the 3rd time now. It was Mr wonderful Obama and his super gang in washington that made it a tax law and it is unacceptable for them to handle it this way. You just don’t tell things to people and have them expect it and count on it to come and leave you hanging wondering if you will even get it
We are in the same boat as you. We filed March 9, 2010. We were first denied because they told us that they considered our timeshare a permanent residence (which we have owned for 7 years and its we use points). So we sent them proof from the timeshare that we did not live there & we had to stay there using points. This was done back in May. In August they notified us saying they lost all our paper work & that we needed to refile. Yesterday we received a notice dated October 14, 2010 saying they needed to do more investigating & it’ll take another 45 days. We’re beginning to think that we’ll never get it & they’re trying to find a loop hole to get out of paying. I talked to one very nice lady from the IRS who told me that there were people at the beginning of the year who found loop holes & they gave that $ to them. Now they’re checking everything & congress is coming up with new rules which causes the delay. And they are going after the people that got that $.
All we want to do is reinvest that $8000 into our home & be able to have a savings. The government encourages us to spend $ to stimulate our economy. How are we supposed to do that if they don’t give us the money that they promised us? We want to hire people to help fix our home, this means jobs. Fix our home which boosts our property value – which means in the long run higher property taxes – they’ll get their cut. It’s a win, win situation. All they need to do – is give the us what they promised.
I just got off the phone with an IRS Agent, and she wouldn’t verify that they have even received our 1040X and 5405l! We mailed them, on July 27th. She verified all of our info from our 2008 taxes. She told us to call back in 12 to 16 weeks!! I am beginning to wonder that the Govt. is purposely slowing things up, so that people will spend the money on Christmas! If this is the case, then they are sadly mistaken about our family!! Our family is going to pay off the remainder of our bills, and SAVE the rest. It is a shame that when someone OWES the IRS they want their money yesterday, however, when you are due money FROM them, they take their slowwww sweeeet timeee.
I closed on my house on June 1st, mailed in my amended 2008 tax return on June 3rd, IRS received my amended 2008 tax return on June 9th. I just called a couple of days ago and was told that it was still being processed and to expect an answer OR check by mid September or end of September. I was orignally told mid August – end of August. I am extremely disappointed. I am in the New York Upstate area. Sorry but NO EXCUSE to delay these payments so long.
Hello.
I am writing a story for the Daily News on delays in first-time homebuyer’s credit.
Would you be willing to be interviewed for the story?
If so, please email me at [email protected].
Thank you.
Karen Angel
You must be from New York State or New York City.
So I’m curious to know for those who got requests for additional information: what kind of information are they asking for? IIRC the form was pretty basic. Are they asking for HUD-1s or deeds or something?
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.
For me they were asking for the HUD forms. I tried to look up what to send but I couldn’t find anything on it, or I definately would have sent it in lol. If anyone is about to file then I would send those in with it so you don’t have to wait as long.
When they ask for additional information you have to send them a copy of your settlement statement from closing (HUD form) and a copy of the notorized document from your county stating the Deed has been changed into your name is very helpful. After they receive that they have 60 days to review your documents (60 days after your info was actually received). If they find your documentation acceptable and say you are indeed eligible for the tax credit add another 6-8 weeks before you receive your check. Total process estimated time 30-32 weeks. That is exactly what I am experiencing. I closed on 3/3/09 and still waiting for my check, in the Atlanta area. It took them 16 weeks just to tell me they needed the additional documentation.
The IRS has several processing centers throughout the country. Where you live depends where you file. Therefore, it makes perfect sense (to me at least) that some people have their return processed sooner than others. This statement “So when I hear that someone who closed on 6/30 has already cashed out… well it just doesn’t seem fair.” is hilarious. It’s not like everyone sends their return to the same office and some IRS official is messing with you by not processing your return.
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.
Hi there! My guy and I filed our amendment at the beginning of June and recieved a letter requesting more documents yesterday. We mailed it out today and I was wondering if it would take another couple months or if we wouldn’t have to wait as long. Does anyone have a time frame rom when they had to send in more documents to when they recieved their check? Thanks!
We closed on Mar 20, sent the amended Mar 29. Received a letter for more info exactly 12 weeks later. Walked the info (HUD-1 Closing Settlement) into an IRS office and was told 6-8 weeks longer. July 30, Got a letter that we would get a response by Sept 1. Got another letter Aug 12 that the Examiners Office approved our $8k refund with interest and that it could take up to another 6-8 weeks to receive the check.
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.
I guess the good thing is that the longer it takes, the more interest you get…..If there is a good thing about waiting.
We could use the money, but figured that technically this is an exemption that we wouldn’t have realized until next year anyway. So, we just changed our perspective and are waiting it out. Besides, all the interest that I’m paying on this new mortgage will pay off for this tax period too!
So the check will be mailed out this Friday! WooHoo! Only 22 Weeks! At least it’s with interest. $155 worth!
Exactly what happened to me. i am on week 30 with mine… still no check and could be another 6-8 weeks
If the IRS told you it was under evaluation, that means they are going to ask you for documentation showing you are eligible for the tax credit. They did this exact same thing to me. I closed on 3/3/09 and mailed off my amended return on 3/26/09. The beginning of July they sent me a letter stating it was under evaluation/review and they needed additional documentation. I had to submit my Settlement Statement and the Deed from my county. I still have not received my return!!! They sent me a letter stating that they reviewed my documents and found that I am eligible for the full tax credit and a check will be mailed within 6-8 weeks. I got the letter 8/31/09 and I am hoping one day I will receive my check. I’m in Atlanta so I think it’s worse in my area.
This is simular to what has happened with mine. We closed on June 2009, waited until Feb. 2010 to file taxes when we filed our yearly taxes. H&R block suggested we file for first time homebuyers credit on amended return so that we could receive our regular tax refund sooner. Waited and Waited until June 2010 when letter came in mail requesting more info. Settlement statement and Certificate of Occupancy from county. Certified mail to ensure they received this info. Called 2 weeks later to be told we are under review and wait at least 4 weeks! I am done counting the days or depending on this money!
I’m in the same boat as a lot of you. I closed on my house on April 24th, dropped the amended return in the mail on April 25th and haven’t received a thing yet. I’ve called three separate times, about two weeks apart each. The first call (at the 8 week mark) said it was in process and that it would take 8-12 weeks. The second and third calls also said that it was in process but I was told that the credit for home buyers is now taking 12-16 weeks. My file has been “in process” for the last 6 weeks. They’ve already processed my address change, however, so somebody is doing something with it.
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’….. 😉
hi Kori after the address update how soon after that did you get your refund?
My son has been waiting 28 weeks for his check. He was calling every other week as they advised him.Each time a different excuse, Tthey have told them so many stories.Then 2 weeks ago he was told it was lost It had gone through some audit, another audit, sat in Limbo on a desk, was again being revued, on and on.Today he went to an IRS office to see someone face to face. He was told the file has been closed with no resolution.He did everything right and this is our great governments answer and they do nothing to help you. It makes me sick. If you owe the government thay rip your money out of the bank and put Liens on everything.You have no rights with the IRS. They win…
I closed on 04/28 and had my amended return out the next day. IRS received it on 05/01/09. I am approaching 15 full weeks (this Friday)….still nothing. First it was 6-8 weeks, then 8-12 (per Phone conversation w/IRS), before 12 weeks hit I started seeing 12-16 weeks on these forums. I’m North of Boston…I haven’t seen any correspondence asking for more information or anything (in fact, I had to call the IRS to confirm they received the return–I had no notification that it was even received).
Patiently (sort of) waiting…
We closed April 29th, sent the papers off on the 30th. It was recieved May 5th and has been “processing” since then. I called again today and was told it is in “evaluation.” We are currently on week 15. It does irk me a bit that someone who closed at the end of June has theirs yet I am still waiting. I’m hoping “evaluation” doesn’t mean we will have to supply any other info, as they apparently notify you of this by mail as well, thus adding more time.
Greg,
When your file goes into evaluation that means you are in an audit. They are checking your age, your children’s age and if you have filed interest and real estate taxes in the last three years. They are going to ask for your house closing papers or your contract. We filed ours on June 18 and I call them every two weeks. We are also in audit. I have contacted my Congressman. They can speed things up. Try it anyway.
I waited the full 16 weeks. 2 days prior to it expiring i was told by the IRS is should be closed out soon. The day after the 16 week time frame i called and was told that it was “randomly” chosen for extended review and was told it will take at least another 45 days. I filed at the end of July and it was received by the IRS on July 30th. Was told that this “random” selection has happened to a lot of people amending for this credit, but it still seems a bit fishy. Waiting till your timeline expires to randomly select it to extend it another 6 weeks minimum.
We filed at the beginning of May so we are at 12 weeks now and still waiting. IRS said to us as well now taking 12-16 weeks. But a friend from Iowa just bought a house and filed at the end of June and just received his $8000 credit. Don’t know why they are processing the recently mailed ones and leave the ones sit that have been at their office for 2-3 months already. Sounds kind of fishy.
Hmmmmm, No rhyme or reason, just the luck of the draw, I guess? I closed on 4/13 and My amended return was received on 5/29. A month ago, I was told 8 – 12 weeks, Now being told 12 – 16 weeks, bottom line is still no check. So when I hear that someone who closed on 6/30 has already cashed out… well it just doesn’t seem fair. I tend to agree with Bryen who stated that it might depend on where ( I am in Atlanta) and on the other hand it might just depend on the work ethic of the individual your file was assigned to.
Heres the dates and U do the math. Filed 7/09/09 went to Nov, to hear send more stuff, went to Feb,2010. opps, sorry can’t find your documents, got letter in may/10, we are backed up and stupid, and then a letter in Aug/10, U will have an answer soon. 11/10. No, unable to process. we did it thru cpa and suntrusts help, and nobody was as organized and prepared as us. And, zip! no answer why. we are squeeky clean and fit all requirements. This is in Atlanta, ga irs office. Someone please tell me why?
I bought my house on June 1st, sent my credit out around June 30th, and received the check on August 8th with $57.19 in interest. I will be putting it into the bank today.
Which service center did you send your return to?
We opted not to file an amended return because freelance income last year pushed us near the income cap. If we amend, we’ll lose 1/4 of the credit. This year we don’t have that issue, so we amended our W-2s to siphon the credit out through our paychecks this year instead of waiting until February to file our taxes. (Just claim a lot of allowances to stop withholding any money.)
Is there a way to find out current status of the amended filing?
Not easily. I call the IRS’s number, do the whole “check the status of my refund” thing, punch zero until you get an actual human (hold times are like 25 minutes) and then have to explain the story to them. It takes a while.
Call 1800 829-0582 and push extension 462. That should shorten your trip through the maze. 🙂
Filed May 10th and still waiting… IRS now tells me it’s taking 12-16 weeks. Apparently it makes a difference where you send the return. I sent mine to the Fresno service center, and that’s one of the slowest…
Same for me too. I filed the ammended return on May 18th and I have not received the credit as of yet. I called the IRS and they told me to expect 12 to 16 weeks now. My sister filed her ammended return a week after I did and she received her credit around 3 weeks ago. Just a heads up.
Bryan, I feel your pain!! I sent my amended return on April 21 of this year and am STILL waiting. I too sent mine to Fresno. I keep calling the IRS periodically to see what the hold up is. The return didn’t even show up as received until July! Then they reported it had been received back on April 28th, but he said the Fresno location was really backed up and they sent my return to Kansas!!?? I’m on week 18 now and no end in sight.
I sent my amended return to the Fresno office on September 1st and called last week and was told my check is set to be mailed to me on Oct 16th……..about 6 1/2 weeks later with $118 interest.
I also sent mine to Fresno and it has been 6 months we’ve waited. They have sent us form letters stating they are still looking into it and are supposed to get back to us by mid-February to make their decision. I am not sure what decision they have to make since neither my husband nor I have owned a home prior to this purchase. It is extremely frustrating!
Stacey, ditto everything you say. Did you ever get it? We filed in 7/09 and waited 2 months for a letter to tell us, they needed more stuff. waited another 8 weeks to hear, sorry, can you resend your documents, we cannot locate some of your claim documents. We had to refile and by now we are so frustrated and freaked from the caous of it all. Nothing for 3 months and then “we are dismissing your claim” and Why??? nothing. neither one of us owned a house for 15 years and better. They did not give us a reason or nothing. We had all Bank statements, deed to property, building c/o, etc. every paper doc., they asked for and “No” Our CPA we used is as angry as us. We have been going thru this in N. ga. having to file thru the Atlanta, office. It is jaw dropping???? what happened for you?
If you wait until you file your 2009 income tax return next year, you won’t receive the interest (unless you wait and file an amended return later in 2010 but the interest will only be for a few months). You’re better off filing ASAP and putting the rebate in a high yiels savings account. You’d earn more interest than the IRS would pay.
8,000 plus interest? Now this makes me wonder. I should be purchasing a home next week, but was planning on waiting till I file my 2009 tax returns to apply the credit. If they are giving credit plus interest now, would I still get the interest if I put it on my 2009 return? I wonder if I should turn in an ammended 2008 form.
6 weeks is pretty good and I’m not sure it really is that fast for all cases. I know in my case I sent the amended tax return at the end of April and it exactly 8 weeks before getting a check. Got 70 bucks in interest though which was nice. Just want people to be aware so they don’t freak out if nothing comes by then.