Still waiting on my $8,000 First Time Homebuyer credit...

[ScrimpAndSave]

...I filed an amendment on my 2008 taxes on August 21st 2009 for my $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. It still has no arrived yet...pretty crazy. I've called a few times over the last few months and they tell me that there is a lot of fraud going on and that mine is still being reviewed. They apologize each time. I just called again last night and they told me that it would probably be another 180 days.

I don't need the money immediately (thank goodness) - but this is a serious pain in the butt.

[JanH]

Wow, I know someone who got theirs somewhere between three and four months last year. I guess it is good that they are watching for fraud, but you are having a long wait!

[snafu]

I suggest you write/e-mail the regional manager of the program and ask his intervention as it seems obvious your paperwork is stuck in someone's basket as well as letting him know you were planning to request political help.

Since that is a federal government program, you could contact the executive assistance for your Congressman or Senator give the details needed to track your application and ask what is considered a reasonable process time for this program. Then ask her to follow-up on your behalf. I would find it insulting that the hold back is for possible fraud. Frankly, you pay these people's salary via your income tax. They work for YOU

[patrenia]

Whoa! That is definitely a long time. The great thing is that you KNOW eventually you will get it. The wait is the bummer .

[aurielle]

In 2008 our tax refund check along with the stimulus money was held up. We filed in April - mailed a paper return because DH was paying child support. We had also filed the spousal injury form. I called the IRS in August I think and was told that because our return had to be manually reviewed due to the spousal injury form (which we knew and knew would delay it several weeks) and because the IRS was so focused on getting everybody's stimulus checks out that we had been 'back-burnered' and they would get to it when they could.

I called again in October and they said they would check into it and call me back. Of course they never called. Finally in the LAST WEEK of December we received our money. With interest because they held on to it for so long, which we had to pay taxes on. LOL

[GrimJack]

With the popularity of the First Time Home buyer program, the expected processing time was increased to 12 to 16 weeks from the time that the return reached the IRS offices or, if they asked for additional paperwork, when that arrived. You can request expedition and force resolution with 30 days if you wish. Or something like that. Call them and say this has gone on long enough and that you want the situation resolved within 30 days.

[cicy33]

we filed an amendment for our 2009 return because we were advised that the wait on the tax credit was 4 months. So we filed a regular return and then the amended. called and checked about a month later and were advised it would still be a couple of months wait. 'fraid this will not be a quick resolution.

[ktmarvels]

If you call in again ask them if there is any paperwork you could send in to help speed up the process. My MIL is a tax advisor and had heard of the long delays and told us to send in a copy of our closing paperwork (or something, can't remember now). We sent in our paperwork after you and got it in January.

Hope this helps! Good luck, just remember the longer they keep it, the more they'll give you in interest.

[ScrimpAndSave]

If you call in again ask them if there is any paperwork you could send in to help speed up the process. My MIL is a tax advisor and had heard of the long delays and told us to send in a copy of our closing paperwork (or something, can't remember now). We sent in our paperwork after you and got it in January.

Hope this helps! Good luck, just remember the longer they keep it, the more they'll give you in interest.

They really will give me interest? I already asked them if I could send them more information...they said no. I highly doubt I am going to get interest. Stinks.

[ktmarvels]

We amended our 2008 return and got our check with interest. Can't remember exactly how much, about $200. I have no idea what the interest rate is or how they calculate how long it's been, but I won't turn down $200.

The rumor of receiving interest is the main reason why we amended our 2008 forms rather than just waiting a couple months and doing it with the 2009 taxes (that and the increasing wait time). Remember they will also be mailing you a check, so that can take a little bit.

[cicy33]

we have sent everything that was needed but was advised these are running behind.

[ScrimpAndSave]

I called again and was told that it was randomly selected to go to "exams" or something like that. They said it would probably be another 180 days. Barf.

[wnlbutterfly]

There are some things that will red flag it also (besides the point of them being WAY behind on these). If you did an amended return and used your same old address (if you bought a house it should be the new address). If you had listed real estate taxes on your last three years tax returns (then you aren't a new home buyer). Not saying this is the case at all, but just a couple things that could flag it, and as they said, some are just being randomly chosen.

Keep in mind IRS is what Obama thinks should be the ones "in charge" of making sure everyone has health care. You think things get bogged down now, just think what it will be like if they have to deal with that also.