Although we have not confirmed this with the IRS, Creating a Family is hearing that the IRS is sending the majority of returns claiming the adoption tax credit to the correspondence auditors to be reviewed. At that point, they determine which returns will be processed and which will be audited. Last year, according to the Government Accountability Office, 68% of the nearly 100,000 returns claiming adoption tax credits were audited. We have no way to tell what percentage is being audited this year, but given what we are currently hearing, I would say it is running about the same as last year.
This year, as happened last year, it appears that the documentation that was originally mailed with your return is not automatically being sent with the return to the correspondence auditor’s office. Thus, most people are being asked to resubmit their documentation after their return reaches the auditor’s desk. When this happens, it is tempting to assume that the documents you originally sent were insufficient. Given what we are now hearing, this may very well not be the case. Unless requested otherwise, resend an exact copy of the documents originally submitted.
It is important to send them exactly the documents they are requesting (see this table to determine what documents are required) and include proof of payment of the expenses you are claiming for your credit. Organize all the documents as suggested in Creating a Family’s Top Ten Tips for Avoiding Delays When Filing for the Adoption Tax Credit.
The IRS said it should take three weeks for taxpayers to receive a refund if a complete and accurate paper return is submitted and correct documentation is attached. However, very few people are reporting such quick processing. If you are being audited, you should plan on up to 14 weeks to receive your refund, although most people are receiving the non-adoption credit part of their refund much sooner.
Taxpayer Advocacy Service for Help with the Adoption Tax Credit Delay
If you have not heard from the IRS or the wait becomes excessive, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), which is an independent service within the IRS. Their motto “we’re your voice at the IRS”. The TAS services are fee, but supposedly only available where significant financial hardship is being caused by the delay. There seems to be some leeway as to what constitutes a financial hardship. If rejected, try calling again and speaking with a different advocate.
There is at least one local taxpayer advocate office in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To find the number for the office in your state call 1-877-777-4778 or look it up at the bottom of IRS You can call your local advocate, whose number is in your phone book and in Pub. 1546. You can also ask at the TAS Facebook or Twitter account.
Other Resources to Help with the Adoption Tax Credit
For more information and resources to help answer your questions about the adoption tax credit, check out the following:
- Creating a Family radio shows:
- Feb 29, 2012: The Refundable Adoption Tax Credit for 2011 and 2012 Taxes
- Dec 14, 2011: Adoption Tax Credit for 2011 and 2012
- Dec 1, 2010: Adoption Tax Credit 2010
- Other Creating a Family Resources
- Adoption Tax Credit FAQ Page
- Creating a Family blog on Adoption Tax Credit: Look Back at 2011, Look Forward to 2012
- Creating a Family blog on The Future of the Adoption Tax Credit in 2011, 2012, 2013, & Beyond
- Creating a Family blog on The Passing of the New and Improved Adoption Tax Credit
- Creating a Family blog on Delays in Receiving the Adoption Tax Credit – What You Can Do
- Creating a Family blog on the Adoption Tax Credit Blog Update
- Creating a Family blog on Comparisons between the adoption tax credit and welfare
Many people are leaving comments on this blog about their experiences. You can, of course, also leave them on this blog. Please let us know your experience, both good and bad.
Image credit: tizzie
I can add our experience. We filed at the end of March this year. We got two letters. The first one basically pointed out that we had an error in the return (our adopted daughter’s ssn), although at first glance it looked like it was a ‘we are going to give you this tax credit’. The second was a request for the documentation. I also thought it was for more documentation, but realized they just wanted a copy. We didnt keep an exact copy, so we spent several more days putting the packet together. We sent that in at the end of June. We havent heard anything since.
Average wait is 2-9 months. The labeling of all documentation and stapling it together helps also, for future filers! I have several clients in waiting too!
Hang in there everyone! Patience and persistence is the best policy. Make sure you put taxpayer’s ss number and name on top of EVERY form you send! It does often get seperated, but if ss # and name are both at the top, it helps get it put back together! If you are sending multiple years of amended, send them all together, and put all adoption documentation with each year!!!!!
It is just insane non-sense the way this process is working. It took them over 6 weeks to even acknowledge they received my paperwork that I faxed. Now the wait is on again to hear what they want next or argue with them that indeed this is valid. 🙁 Went through it all last year too.
jeez, what a pain – thanks for the info!
You will be fine if you send everything and the kitchen sink…copies though because I never got my original decree back…wait about 4-6 weeks and then call them…it took 3 months for us to get ours and I got an advocate after 6 weeks and she worked for us…good luck. Dawn Davenport is a treasure trove of info…
should I get a special type of accountant rather than go to our usual one when we try for the credit? adoption will finalize end of this year.
Dawn – I had no luck with the TA over the phone either but I got a call the next day after I faxed in a request…something to share if you want…
A friend asked me when I was going to adopt again, my son was adopted in 2010. I proceeded to mention that I would probably put my name back on the list next year but I wanted to see what happened with the bill going thru congress. After explaining what it was he asked me the following question “What is the advantage to the government to give individuals who adopt a refund.” I didn’t know the answer to this question. I was hoping you could tell me Dawn Davenport.
A friend asked me when I was going to adopt again, my son was adopted in 2010. I proceeded to mention that I would probably put my name back on the list next year but I wanted to see what happened with the bill going thru congress. After explaining what it was he asked me the following question “What is the advantage to the government to give individuals who adopt a refund.” I didn’t know the answer to this question. I was hoping you could tell me Dawn Davenport.
My amended tax return for 2011 was recieved March 7 2014 and I am
still waiting as of August. I did not know I could claim this in 2011
and I as well have been getting the run around from the IRS! Every
time I call I get a different story and today was told it will take at least
another 30 days before I can get any more info. My adoption was simple
and I sent in all the required papers. Is anyone still having trouble with this?
Hey eveyone I’m really getting tired of the irs giving me the run around when it comes to my return. I submitted my first amened return on March 19th for the 2010 tax year. Honestly didn’t know I qualified for the credit until I received a letter from DHS stating that I did being as tho my daughter was special needs. To make a long story short I never received any correspondence telling me it was under review or it was being processed, nothing! Not to mention I called every 2 weeks to check on my status, none of the Irs operators said anything about my returned being denied or if I needed any further information. I just so happened back in the beginning of Sept called the Irs and was connected to a really nice person who told me it was denied because my daughters birth name and adopted name was inconsistent with the documents submitted with her ss#. So I was told to resend everything again along with name change information. It’s know been 7 months and I’m back at square one, now I sent what they asked for so how much longer? I feel like the Irs is trying to make me give up on receiving my refund check I’m really ready to give up.
We finally got ours the other week. Hope everyone that is waiting gets theres soon, we had to have a tax advocate to step in to get it done.
Randy H.,I did receive a letter from the IRS yesterday showing the adjustment to my 2010 tax return and that i was owed the refundable credit. It also stated the amount of the credit and i should have it in the next 2-3 weeks. I hope you get the same news soon.
I haven’t received anything. I actually got a tax advocate, and they are ordering them to send the refund to us. They added another hold the other day which I wasn’t notified for. This is why I decided to have an advocate take over on my side. He said that everything is in order and there was no reason for them to keep holding things off. They made a mistake by sending it to the wrong offices and others have had there hands on it and wrote information not even pertaining to what was filed. They totally messed it up and he believes they will have it done this coming week at his request. He is above them in the IRS system.
Awesome Josh A. We are still waiting, hopefully any day now. I should of called the tax advocate earlier, I just never knew they had anything like that.
Our wait ended yesterday as well we finally got our check in the mail including interest. Good Luck everybody!!
Josh, Whoot, whoot!!
Hey Josh, yes I will post once I get the refund. Hopefully our long waits will be done soon.
We are still waiting for our tax credit refund. We received a portion of our non-adoption credit refund a few months ago. We’ve received several letters stating we’re in review and must wait 30-45 days…they just keep sending us these new letters every month or so. (In the midst of these letters was one that stated our refund would be sent out shortly, with $60 interest, but that never happened).
Yesterday, we received yet another letter stating that now our file is being sent to an agent in Atlanta, and we must wait another 45 days. This has been so annoying.
Hang in there Don. If you’ve read the comments on any of our Adoption Tax Credit blogs, you’ll see that most people eventually get their credit. I know that waiting is frustrating, though, so feel free to vent here.
Randy H,Yes i sent in 3 documents required supporting the special needs adoption along with the amended form. I spoke to the IRS today and the lady i spoke to informed me she saw an adjustment made to my 2010 taxes so that is a little hope. She said call back in 30 days or when i recieve my letter stating the credit will be issued for a more accurate date i will recieve my refund? I wish as well the communication could be better as we have been waiting since March 27th. I did recieve the letter stating it was sent to the examintaion department about 3 weeks ago so there has been some progress but not as much as i would have hoped. Good Luck please post if you get it, and i will do the same.
Just talked to them again and they stated this time I should have it by Aug.31st if not call them they will elevate the processing. I don’t think I’m going to trust this, the time before they stated it was in review and I would receive a letter.
Josh A, It is extremely frustrating I totally understand what you are going through. Did you send in your required papers along with your amend? I’m supposedly in the review process and they said I would receive a letter which of course hasn’t arrived yet, I’m hoping all the papers that I have sent in went to the review as well. The communication between the IRS and the tax payers is terrible. Yet we are always the ones to get punished. Hopefully you receive yours soon, I have been waiting since Feb, 1st.
We adopted a special needs child in 2010 amended our 2010 return and sent it in. They recieved it April 1st. Got our 1st letter afer 30 days ago of waiting with bieng told i should have my return by August 1st? The letter staes we are in the examination department. I also sent 3 items required for a special need adoption. It’s been 4 1/2 months very frustrating!!
I found out the interest rate right now is 3%, would be nice if it started from Feb 1st when they received the taxes. Not fully sure how it works.
Thanks Randy for the info on the tax rate. I would assume it would start from April 15 if you sent in your taxes earlier than that, but I’m not sure. Does anyone know?
Our wait ended today. We filed in early Feb got a TA a couple of weeks ago. Today our refund showed up with a little bit in interest. Keep the faith. it was not even the ATC that held ours up. Good luck to all.
Sherry, I’m happy for you.
I have had nothing but trouble with this whole thing. They lost our adoption credit form had to send that back in, then later I get a letter stating a date wasn’t next to a signature, even though there were two signatures, mine with a date and my wives without. Resigned and dated sent it back in. It finally went into review beginning of last week, they said they would send us a notification that it was in review. It is not here yet. We adopted a special needs child so it wouldn’t be a financial audit. They would just have to verify that the adoption happened and it was a special needs child that gets funding. I gave them more than enough proof. We started beginning of February, like many, major bad things have happened financially and this would be a drastic needed help. Looking for work right now and it takes forever down here even after you find one. Paperwork, drug tests, back ground checks etc… Can’t start till they get it all back. Just to get an interview takes 30+days.
Hang in there Randy.
I filed my taxes in late February and received a letter from the Kansas City location in March that my taxes are being reviewed. I received a partial refund, but then I received another letter from the Atlanta location twice explaining my taxes are still under review. So now, it’s been 5 months and still no refund. I keep calling the 800 number and no one gives specific explanations. Just the same answer, it’s being reviewed…
Tonya, the partial refund is likely the part of your refund that is not related to the Adoption Tax Credit.
Hey all I am so happy I found this blog. We got a letter saying we were being audited and that we had to resubmit all of the documentation for expenses related to our adoption finalized in 2011. We submitted the requested documentation and then received a letter saying we would heard from them again by a date in August (I don’t recall exactly). We were confused because yesterday we received a refund check which was around $13,000 short. I am deducing that this is the non-adoption portion of our tax refund. This check came with no correspondence of any kind. I am hoping that the adoption tax credit portion will follow by the August date they provided.
well we have a tax advocate now… it appears as though it is not even the ATC that is holding up our return…patience patience patience….
Sherry, hang in there! Glad you have an advocate now.
We mailed our return with the required documentation attached on April 1. We have not received any money, not even the refund we are due that is independent of the adoption tax credit, nor received any letter or notice. When I use the “Where’s my refund?” feature online or by phone I get “no information available” and nothing else, with no option to talk to a live person. I cannot even get confirmation that they received my return or that it is being processed! I also filed an amended return for 2010 seeking part of the adoption tax credit. I put a call in to my local tax advocate office, but do to high call volume could only leave a voice mail. They are supposed to call back within one business day, so we’ll see what happens. This is exceedingly frustrating, as we have nearly maxed out our credit cards waiting for OUR money. I love that if you are late paying the government, they charge you penalty and interest, but if they delay paying you, there is no such penalty or interest.
Richard, often people are getting interest.
My husband called on Friday as our intial 45 days were up. Now we have a referral per the nice lady on the phone. So another 30 day clock starts…
elisa said:
I’m in the same boat and extremely frustrated. I filed at the end of January and they received it Feb. 6th. Mine is under review but I have not received any letters requesting more info. I really hope we will get it soon because we need it. I’m trying to decide if I should call again even though they said not to call until the stupid 45 days is up, which is next week.
[[Creating a Family blog] at 5:01 pm on May 7, 2012]
Dawn said:
Julie, some people have had luck calling the Tax Advocate office again and speaking with another person. There seems to be a fair amount of discretion as what constitutes a “significant hardship” which would allow the Tax Advocate to get involved.
[[Creating a Family blog] at 1:32 pm on May 7, 2012]
Julie said:
I am having SUCH problems with the iRS! I filed in mid Feb. In April I got a letter that told me my Schedule A was incorrect, which it was not, so I faxed the sheet again! They are now on their second holding letter telling me they’ll get back to me within a certain period. This time it is another 45 days and they have informed me they are reviewing my case, but they have not mentioned the adoption tax credit, just said they are reviewing my case. I went to a drop in center but they had no slots free, come back tomorrow and try again. I tried the phone numbers and got answer machines or indefinite holding times. I called the tax advocates and was told that unless I was about to get evicted they could not assist me. We have to be away with family this summer and I know the next letter will come shortly after we leave. I am trying to be calm but without the refund, even the non-adoption portion, I am getting deeper into debt trying to cope. These people have all the power and they know it .
[[Creating a Family blog] at 8:51 pm on May 5, 2012]
There are a couple of reasons. One, our government’s tax code is set up to encourage things the government believes is in the best interest of our country. For example, tax benefits for mortgage payments to encourage home ownership and tax benefits for charitable giving to encourage more giving. Our government believes it is better for children to be raised in homes rather than institutions or foster care, therefore, they encourage this through a tax benefit. The main reason that the government does, and should continue to, give tax benefits for adoption is that it saves them a TON of money. The cost of paying out a tax credit for a family to adopt a child pales by comparison of what it would cost the gov’t to raise that child in foster care. I’ll post this question up as a comment on it’s own on the Creating a Family Facebook Support Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/40688106167/) so that others will see and respond as well.
V said:
Was one of the lucky ones to get my refund right away. I followed your posted advice, thank you for that! I believe you mean to say that TAS services are free…you list they are “fee”.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 12:21 pm on April 11, 2012]
Deni said:
I’m curious when most are mailing their adoption credit returns. We mailed ours Jan. 3, 2012. It wasn’t until March 29th that we received our first notice telling us that they have to complete a more thorough review. Notice also said it would take 45 days. Well we got a little luck, yesterday we received our letter telling us what documents we needed to send for verification of adoption and special needs. Of course I resent documents from original return priority mail and now we wait. Seems pretty cut and dry to me but heck what do I know. They asked for official Adoption Decree and something from state saying our 4 kids are special needs. I sent them the special needs subsidy agreement and decree, really hoping that’s the end of the line for their thorough review. I’d love to be a fly on the wall of these reviewers offices.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 6:52 am on April 11, 2012]
JACKIE said:
HI EVERYONE I HAVE POSTED BEFORE. I ADOPTED IN 08 AND I SENT IN AN AMENDED RETURN ON 2-21-12 HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE IRS I CALLED ON 4-10-12 TO THE EXAM DEPT AND WAS NOT ON HOLD AT ALL.A NUMBER THAT I GOT FROM ONE OF THE POSTING ON THE OTHER BLOG OF DAWNS. BUT ANYWAY I WAS TOLD BY THE GUY THAT ANSWERED THE PHONE THAT MY RETURN WAS NOT IN THEY DEPARTMENT AND IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME THERE. HE LOOKED IT UP FOR ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD APPROVED MY RETURN SO THAT WAS GOOD NEWS TO ME AND HE ADVISED ME TO CALL BACK ON THE 19TH TO THE 1040 NUMBER SO I DID. WAITED ON LINE FOR 30 MIN. BEFORE GETTING TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE BUT I GUESS IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT. GOT HOLD TO A VERY NICE PERSON THAT TOOK HER TIME AND RESEARCHED MY RETURN DID NOT RUSH OFF THE PHONE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND STATED TO ME THAT I SHOULD BE RECEIVING A LETTER WITHIN A WEEK AND THE PROCESS THAT MY RETURN WAS IN TAKES AT LEAST 3 WEEKS AND TO CALL BACK ON THE FIRST OF MAY AND THE AMOUNT OF MY REFUND SHOULD BE SHOWING ON THERE SCREEN AND IT WOULD GIVE ME A DATE THAT MY REFUND WOULD BE MAILED. I AM EXCITED. JUST BE SO GLAD WHEN THIS IS OVER. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 11:06 pm on April 21, 2012]
Grace said:
We filed our return on Feb 20, with all required documentation attached–April 10 received a letter saying we did not submit the correct paperwork, but with no specifics on what was not correct. I called, was informed that when your tax return is pulled for examination it gets separated from your documentation. They can request the documentation internally, it takes 45 days for them to get it. So you can also fax it to them, in which case they will receive it in 10 days (10 days for a fax to get to them!). Then, if everything is perfect, they will review your tax return within 45-60 days. So a perfect return with no problems or issues that gets pulled for examination will take, if everything goes as smoothly as it can will take almost 4 months. My favorite things about this is that if you read the GAO audit, it turns out that of the 68% of adoption credit returns that got pulled for audit last year, 17% of them had any sort of problem. The GAO asked them to do something different this year–sounds like the IRS ignored that advice.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 9:53 pm on April 20, 2012]
andrea said:
I just got off the phone with a tax advocate and she stated that she is unable to assist me because my file shows as an open review and that the only thing she could do was give me the phone number for the IRS…..not very much help
She also said that I could contact my congress person and see if they can help me….anyone heard of that??? I can’t imagine being able to get through to them or that my problem with the IRS holding my refund would be pressing enough for me to contact them. Maybe she just wanted to get me off the phone
[[Comment imported from blog] at 7:03 pm on April 19, 2012]
Dawn said:
Grace, it appears you are right about the IRS not heeding the very specific and logical suggestions of the GAO report.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:40 pm on April 21, 2012]
Dawn said:
Andrea, yes, you can contact your senator or representative’s office. They have specific staff assigned to assist the people they represent. (They need to get reelected, after all, and people who are pleased with them are more likely to vote for them.:-)) What you do is up to you, of course, but if your file is currently being reviewed, it may just be easiest to wait a few weeks and see what happens.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:48 pm on April 21, 2012]
Andrea said:
The IRS received our taxes April 2nd, and today April 26th the Adoption Tax Credit and our refund were deposited into our account!!! Thanks for all of the amazing advice that we received!!
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:49 pm on April 26, 2012]
Dawn said:
Andrea, you’re welcome and thanks for sharing your good news. Nice to hear.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 6:54 pm on April 26, 2012]
JACKIE said:
HI EVERYONE I WAS GIVEN A DATE TODAY. MY REFUND IS SAID TO BE IN THE MAIL MAY 4,2012. THE IRS RECEIVE MY REFUND ON 2-21-2012 SO I GUESS MINE WAS NOT SENT FOR REVIEW. THANK GOD THIS IS ALMOST OVER CAUSE I CAN USE THE MONEY.GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT IS WAITING. ITS COMING. GOOD LUCK!
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:46 pm on April 30, 2012]
Well one big mistake I made was resending my documents and including adoption tax credit form. When I spoke to the examiner she told me that because I resent the adoption tax credit form it appears as a duplicate and that someone else was trying to claim my son in addition to me. OMG I explained to her that it was me who sent in the document. She told me that she would note this in the computer but now that is an additonal delay.
Denise, you have got to be kidding!?! Oh wow, so sorry.
still waiting….no news…
Our return was accepted back early February and we are still waiting. Got a CP05 letter from IRS on april 19th that was dated April 23rd stating we were in review for 45 days from 4-23. No news other than that after numerous attempts to contact the IRS for an update…still waiting
Was one of the lucky ones to get my refund right away. I followed your posted advice, thank you for that! I believe you mean to say that TAS services are free…you list they are “fee”.
I’m curious when most are mailing their adoption credit returns. We mailed ours Jan. 3, 2012. It wasn’t until March 29th that we received our first notice telling us that they have to complete a more thorough review. Notice also said it would take 45 days. Well we got a little luck, yesterday we received our letter telling us what documents we needed to send for verification of adoption and special needs. Of course I resent documents from original return priority mail and now we wait. Seems pretty cut and dry to me but heck what do I know. They asked for official Adoption Decree and something from state saying our 4 kids are special needs. I sent them the special needs subsidy agreement and decree, really hoping that’s the end of the line for their thorough review. I’d love to be a fly on the wall of these reviewers offices.
HI EVERYONE I HAVE POSTED BEFORE. I ADOPTED IN 08 AND I SENT IN AN AMENDED RETURN ON 2-21-12 HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE IRS I CALLED ON 4-10-12 TO THE EXAM DEPT AND WAS NOT ON HOLD AT ALL.A NUMBER THAT I GOT FROM ONE OF THE POSTING ON THE OTHER BLOG OF DAWNS. BUT ANYWAY I WAS TOLD BY THE GUY THAT ANSWERED THE PHONE THAT MY RETURN WAS NOT IN THEY DEPARTMENT AND IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME THERE. HE LOOKED IT UP FOR ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD APPROVED MY RETURN SO THAT WAS GOOD NEWS TO ME AND HE ADVISED ME TO CALL BACK ON THE 19TH TO THE 1040 NUMBER SO I DID. WAITED ON LINE FOR 30 MIN. BEFORE GETTING TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE BUT I GUESS IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT. GOT HOLD TO A VERY NICE PERSON THAT TOOK HER TIME AND RESEARCHED MY RETURN DID NOT RUSH OFF THE PHONE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND STATED TO ME THAT I SHOULD BE RECEIVING A LETTER WITHIN A WEEK AND THE PROCESS THAT MY RETURN WAS IN TAKES AT LEAST 3 WEEKS AND TO CALL BACK ON THE FIRST OF MAY AND THE AMOUNT OF MY REFUND SHOULD BE SHOWING ON THERE SCREEN AND IT WOULD GIVE ME A DATE THAT MY REFUND WOULD BE MAILED. I AM EXCITED. JUST BE SO GLAD WHEN THIS IS OVER. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED.
I’m in the same boat and extremely frustrated. I filed at the end of January and they received it Feb. 6th. Mine is under review but I have not received any letters requesting more info. I really hope we will get it soon because we need it. I’m trying to decide if I should call again even though they said not to call until the stupid 45 days is up, which is next week.
Dawn said:
Andrea, yes, you can contact your senator or representative’s office. They have specific staff assigned to assist the people they represent. (They need to get reelected, after all, and people who are pleased with them are more likely to vote for them.:-)) What you do is up to you, of course, but if your file is currently being reviewed, it may just be easiest to wait a few weeks and see what happens.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:48 pm on April 21, 2012]
We filed our return on Feb 20, with all required documentation attached–April 10 received a letter saying we did not submit the correct paperwork, but with no specifics on what was not correct. I called, was informed that when your tax return is pulled for examination it gets separated from your documentation. They can request the documentation internally, it takes 45 days for them to get it. So you can also fax it to them, in which case they will receive it in 10 days (10 days for a fax to get to them!). Then, if everything is perfect, they will review your tax return within 45-60 days. So a perfect return with no problems or issues that gets pulled for examination will take, if everything goes as smoothly as it can will take almost 4 months. My favorite things about this is that if you read the GAO audit, it turns out that of the 68% of adoption credit returns that got pulled for audit last year, 17% of them had any sort of problem. The GAO asked them to do something different this year–sounds like the IRS ignored that advice.
Grace, it appears you are right about the IRS not heeding the very specific and logical suggestions of the GAO report.
Dawn said:
Grace, it appears you are right about the IRS not heeding the very specific and logical suggestions of the GAO report.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:40 pm on April 21, 2012]
I just got off the phone with a tax advocate and she stated that she is unable to assist me because my file shows as an open review and that the only thing she could do was give me the phone number for the IRS…..not very much help
She also said that I could contact my congress person and see if they can help me….anyone heard of that??? I can’t imagine being able to get through to them or that my problem with the IRS holding my refund would be pressing enough for me to contact them. Maybe she just wanted to get me off the phone
Andrea, yes, you can contact your senator or representative’s office. They have specific staff assigned to assist the people they represent. (They need to get reelected, after all, and people who are pleased with them are more likely to vote for them.:-)) What you do is up to you, of course, but if your file is currently being reviewed, it may just be easiest to wait a few weeks and see what happens.
JACKIE said:
HI EVERYONE I HAVE POSTED BEFORE. I ADOPTED IN 08 AND I SENT IN AN AMENDED RETURN ON 2-21-12 HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE IRS I CALLED ON 4-10-12 TO THE EXAM DEPT AND WAS NOT ON HOLD AT ALL.A NUMBER THAT I GOT FROM ONE OF THE POSTING ON THE OTHER BLOG OF DAWNS. BUT ANYWAY I WAS TOLD BY THE GUY THAT ANSWERED THE PHONE THAT MY RETURN WAS NOT IN THEY DEPARTMENT AND IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME THERE. HE LOOKED IT UP FOR ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD APPROVED MY RETURN SO THAT WAS GOOD NEWS TO ME AND HE ADVISED ME TO CALL BACK ON THE 19TH TO THE 1040 NUMBER SO I DID. WAITED ON LINE FOR 30 MIN. BEFORE GETTING TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE BUT I GUESS IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT. GOT HOLD TO A VERY NICE PERSON THAT TOOK HER TIME AND RESEARCHED MY RETURN DID NOT RUSH OFF THE PHONE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND STATED TO ME THAT I SHOULD BE RECEIVING A LETTER WITHIN A WEEK AND THE PROCESS THAT MY RETURN WAS IN TAKES AT LEAST 3 WEEKS AND TO CALL BACK ON THE FIRST OF MAY AND THE AMOUNT OF MY REFUND SHOULD BE SHOWING ON THERE SCREEN AND IT WOULD GIVE ME A DATE THAT MY REFUND WOULD BE MAILED. I AM EXCITED. JUST BE SO GLAD WHEN THIS IS OVER. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 11:06 pm on April 21, 2012]
andrea said:
I just got off the phone with a tax advocate and she stated that she is unable to assist me because my file shows as an open review and that the only thing she could do was give me the phone number for the IRS…..not very much help
She also said that I could contact my congress person and see if they can help me….anyone heard of that??? I can’t imagine being able to get through to them or that my problem with the IRS holding my refund would be pressing enough for me to contact them. Maybe she just wanted to get me off the phone
[[Comment imported from blog] at 7:03 pm on April 19, 2012]
V said:
Was one of the lucky ones to get my refund right away. I followed your posted advice, thank you for that! I believe you mean to say that TAS services are free…you list they are “fee”.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 12:21 pm on April 11, 2012]
JACKIE said:
HI EVERYONE I WAS GIVEN A DATE TODAY. MY REFUND IS SAID TO BE IN THE MAIL MAY 4,2012. THE IRS RECEIVE MY REFUND ON 2-21-2012 SO I GUESS MINE WAS NOT SENT FOR REVIEW. THANK GOD THIS IS ALMOST OVER CAUSE I CAN USE THE MONEY.GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT IS WAITING. ITS COMING. GOOD LUCK!
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:46 pm on April 30, 2012]
The IRS received our taxes April 2nd, and today April 26th the Adoption Tax Credit and our refund were deposited into our account!!! Thanks for all of the amazing advice that we received!!
Andrea, you’re welcome and thanks for sharing your good news. Nice to hear.
Dawn said:
Andrea, you’re welcome and thanks for sharing your good news. Nice to hear.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 6:54 pm on April 26, 2012]
I am having SUCH problems with the iRS! I filed in mid Feb. In April I got a letter that told me my Schedule A was incorrect, which it was not, so I faxed the sheet again! They are now on their second holding letter telling me they’ll get back to me within a certain period. This time it is another 45 days and they have informed me they are reviewing my case, but they have not mentioned the adoption tax credit, just said they are reviewing my case. I went to a drop in center but they had no slots free, come back tomorrow and try again. I tried the phone numbers and got answer machines or indefinite holding times. I called the tax advocates and was told that unless I was about to get evicted they could not assist me. We have to be away with family this summer and I know the next letter will come shortly after we leave. I am trying to be calm but without the refund, even the non-adoption portion, I am getting deeper into debt trying to cope. These people have all the power and they know it .
Julie, some people have had luck calling the Tax Advocate office again and speaking with another person. There seems to be a fair amount of discretion as what constitutes a “significant hardship” which would allow the Tax Advocate to get involved.
Andrea said:
The IRS received our taxes April 2nd, and today April 26th the Adoption Tax Credit and our refund were deposited into our account!!! Thanks for all of the amazing advice that we received!!
[[Comment imported from blog] at 4:49 pm on April 26, 2012]
Grace said:
We filed our return on Feb 20, with all required documentation attached–April 10 received a letter saying we did not submit the correct paperwork, but with no specifics on what was not correct. I called, was informed that when your tax return is pulled for examination it gets separated from your documentation. They can request the documentation internally, it takes 45 days for them to get it. So you can also fax it to them, in which case they will receive it in 10 days (10 days for a fax to get to them!). Then, if everything is perfect, they will review your tax return within 45-60 days. So a perfect return with no problems or issues that gets pulled for examination will take, if everything goes as smoothly as it can will take almost 4 months. My favorite things about this is that if you read the GAO audit, it turns out that of the 68% of adoption credit returns that got pulled for audit last year, 17% of them had any sort of problem. The GAO asked them to do something different this year–sounds like the IRS ignored that advice.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 9:53 pm on April 20, 2012]
HI EVERYONE I WAS GIVEN A DATE TODAY. MY REFUND IS SAID TO BE IN THE MAIL MAY 4,2012. THE IRS RECEIVE MY REFUND ON 2-21-2012 SO I GUESS MINE WAS NOT SENT FOR REVIEW. THANK GOD THIS IS ALMOST OVER CAUSE I CAN USE THE MONEY.GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT IS WAITING. ITS COMING. GOOD LUCK!
Deni said:
I’m curious when most are mailing their adoption credit returns. We mailed ours Jan. 3, 2012. It wasn’t until March 29th that we received our first notice telling us that they have to complete a more thorough review. Notice also said it would take 45 days. Well we got a little luck, yesterday we received our letter telling us what documents we needed to send for verification of adoption and special needs. Of course I resent documents from original return priority mail and now we wait. Seems pretty cut and dry to me but heck what do I know. They asked for official Adoption Decree and something from state saying our 4 kids are special needs. I sent them the special needs subsidy agreement and decree, really hoping that’s the end of the line for their thorough review. I’d love to be a fly on the wall of these reviewers offices.
[[Comment imported from blog] at 6:52 am on April 11, 2012]
There are a couple of reasons. One, our government’s tax code is set up to encourage things the government believes is in the best interest of our country. For example, tax benefits for mortgage payments to encourage home ownership and tax benefits for charitable giving to encourage more giving. Our government believes it is better for children to be raised in homes rather than institutions or foster care, therefore, they encourage this through a tax benefit. The main reason that the government does, and should continue to, give tax benefits for adoption is that it saves them a TON of money. The cost of paying out a tax credit for a family to adopt a child pales by comparison of what it would cost the gov’t to raise that child in foster care. I’ll post this question up as a comment on it’s own on the Creating a Family Facebook Support Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/40688106167/) so that others will see and respond as well.
I received my notice in the mail requesting the proofs of adoption and special needs, which, of course, had been sent the first time around. It seems like such a “racket” that they have going on over at the IRS. Is it just a stall tactic? Why do they lose this paperwork every time? I also attempted to contact the liason to get the paperwork compelted quicker as we need the money to purchase a house and no luck there either. It appears that they arbitrarily choose who they feels shows true “need” and even though we are needing to be out of our current house on July 1, they didn’t feel this was urgent enough. I actually called twice and didn’t get anywhere besides the run around. I asked them to tell me when it would be considered a true need, if my current situation didn’t fit their criteria and the lady actually said….”hmm, good question.” Apparently she didn’t even know…I’m waiting another week or two and then calling again.