My taxes were filed and accepted on February 26th. My return didn’t reject, which is common, so there weren’t any Social Security number problems or garnishments.
There was no indication that anything was wrong with my return. After I received the “Your tax return has been accepted by the IRS” update, I was optimistic about receiving my refund because the message changed to “your return is being processed.”
I’ve never had trouble with my tax return and didn’t anticipate this year being any different.
With that in mind, I had been told stories about folks being stuck in some computer loop and having their refund delayed. I know people have been calling the IRS in hopes that someone can help them, both to no avail. Again, I thought I was in the clear because I had filed a week or two later than they did and, besides, I was told that my return was accepted. I felt a great deal of empathy for them because most had struggled with job loss during the pandemic, and I know how hard it is to pick yourself back up.
And then, suddenly, it was me; I was people. My tax return has now been “processing” for 11 weeks.
I spent a great deal of time on hold yesterday as I waited to speak to IRS representatives. I called twice and was given completely different explanations (excuses) by two different representatives. At first, I was told to call my employer and tell them that my wages weren’t reported to the Social Security Administration. I was assured that when the computers at the Social Security updated my return would be fixed, releasing my refund. I was told there was an error, and, even after telling me to contact my employer, was told they couldn’t tell me what the error was because they didn’t have access to what the codes mean.
After speaking with the IRS twice, the Social Security Administration, a tax advocate, and my employer, I called my Senator. When my call was returned, I was told the IRS is backed up and was given the same information that I already had. But when I mentioned there was an error code that no one could see, I was told it will take up to six months for my refund to be released.
Six. Months.
I pointed out the trouble with that, especially for filers who qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) because that credit was only given to filers who were low-income earners and who heavily rely on their refund. The response was that over 4000 calls had been received in the office regarding the IRS and there was nothing indicative of my claim that filers with EITC were heavily impacted.
Wait, what?
I cannot go on a long rant about people not calling their government representatives because, admittedly, it took me 11 weeks to pick up the phone. I had spoken to the IRS. I had spoken to a tax advocate. I had talked to my tax preparer. But calling my senator? It took a while.
First of all, I didn’t know what he could do and wasn’t surprised when his office pretty much told me they could do nothing. And secondly, I don’t like talking to people in power so much. I feel uncomfortable and awkward. I find myself saying “uh” a lot and my brain inserts words that are choppy. It’s not fun for me. It always feels like being called to the principal’s office.
But I do it when something has me so twisted and upset that I can’t be quiet for one minute longer because it feels like my head will explode. The comment made to me about nothing being indicative of low-income families being affected really shook me. I mean, why do we allow ourselves to remain invisible to the government?
We have to show up. I don’t care if it’s about our tax refund or to say how important the stimulus payment was for our families or that we support $15/hour, but we have to advocate for ourselves. No one is going to see our needs or hear our truth if we are not willing to swallow that nervous lump in our throat and tell them!
Not speaking up is our white flag, our surrender. Not speaking up allows them to say that things must not be too hard out here because the calls received aren’t indicative of a problem. Not speaking up makes our “they don’t know what it’s like out here” and “they should have to spend a day in our shoes” comments irrelevant and empty.
How can we expect them to help meet our needs when they have no idea what our needs are? Invisibility isn’t always a superpower.
Onward,
Amy Jo
