FINALLY [status]

[rebeccmeister]

You might recall (probably not!) that I got my federal and state tax forms mailed in relatively early this year, back in mid-February, in part because I wanted to paper file instead of giving my personal information to one of the corporations that would let me e-file for "free."

In any case, my calculations indicated that I should get a refund for both federal and state taxes. About 2-3 weeks after I mailed things off, my state return funds were direct deposited into my bank account, which told me that the US Postal Service can still at least manage delivery, and that the hardworking people in the State of New York are opening the mail. Thanks, Postal Service and New York State!

But I've been waiting for my federal return to get processed ever since then. The IRS's webpage says they're currently somewhere around mid-March with regards to processing paper forms, except processing may take longer for submitted forms with identified issues. That made me wonder, did they even get my return?? Was there some issue with it? Ugh. So earlier this week I started looking into methods to set up an online account with the IRS in the hopes that an online account would help me figure out whether my paper forms were even received (note, this is different from all of the tax filing stuff, but it's still sharing a lot of info directly with the IRS). I don't particularly WANT to set up an online account, mind you. But it seems like a bad idea to linger on this item.

Anyway, they FINALLY deposited my refund, TODAY. I'm definitely ready to move on now. I miss the Free File Fillable Forms, but really, this country needs a major overhaul of its taxation system, starting with actually taxing the filthy rich.

See, e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/15/tax-day-united-states-unequal-taxation

Comments

[mallorys_camera]

The IRS was punishing you for your paper forms. 😀

[rebeccmeister]

I did expect *some* punishments, but 2 entire months is a LONG time! There must be just one poor sap in a small office hand-typing these all in, without even the benefit of getting to meet all the interesting clientele!

[annikusrex]

definitely punishing. i got my efiled return the next week! you can check what stage you're at with this tool: https://itap1.for.irs.gov/web-determinations/startsession/FilingStatus_ITA

[ranunculus]

It is a cost "saving" to have returns processed so slowly. First they fired anyone who knew anything, then they laid off half of the rest and now they are undoubtedly paying lots of overtime.
Tax the filthy rich and corporations that make lots of money but play games with offshoring the profits.

[ivy]

Victory on the refund, at least! I agree with you on the frustrating taxation situation. That and immigration are both super broken and have needed fixing for decades now.

[coffeetime]

This was my last year e-filing with a free-to-me service, though as always there was a charge for the state return. Next year since we'll be married filing jointly and there are various income sources, I will hand off this task to him, yay...I HATE doing it. No way is he going to fill out paper forms, though.