Tax News IRS Update for Form 8863: Education Tax Credits Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam Published Jan 28, 2013 - [Updated Apr 2, 2019] 2 min read IRS Update 2/8: Good News for your Valentine’s day and your tax refund! The IRS announced today that they are now able to process tax returns that contain form 8863 with Education Credits beginning February 14th. Form 8863 is used to claim two higher education credits — the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. Read the full IRS update The IRS announced today that they will not be able to process tax returns with Form 8863 until mid-February. This is a delay that will impact all tax preparation methods. What is Form 8863? Form 8863 is the form that is used to claim the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. American Opportunity Credit: The American Opportunity Tax Credit is offered to students who pay qualified tuition (and aren’t claimed as dependents elsewhere), as well as to parents who pay expenses for their dependent students or themselves. This tax credit allows you to claim up to $2,500 per student. The full credit is available for individuals with a MAGI(Modified Adjusted Gross Income) of $80,000 or less, $160,000 for married filing jointly. It is 40% refundable, meaning that you can get up to $1,000 back even if you don’t owe taxes. Lifetime Learning Credit: The Lifetime Learning Credit a perk available to you if you paid qualified college expenses. Rather than limiting your ability to get tax credits for education expenses for the first four years of college, it’s possible to use the Lifetime Learning Credit to offset your expenses even in graduate or professional school. As long as the educational institution is qualified, undergraduate or beyond, you can qualify for up to $2,000 in tax credits for your expenses. It’s figured on 20% of your tuition and fees, up to the first $10,000. There is a phase out as you reach certain income levels. Parents can claim this for dependent students. Can I still File? Yes!!! TurboTax is up to date with all the latest tax law changes, including changes to the American Opportunity Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit, so you can be confident that you are getting every deduction and credit you deserve on your tax return. We recommend that you file now with TurboTax, so you will be at the front of the line for your refund when the IRS begins to process these returns. Returns will be submitted on a first in, first out basis. For the fastest refund possible, make sure you e-file and select direct deposit. Last year, the IRS issued 9 out of 10 refunds in 21 days or less and expects the same results this year. Once your return is accepted by the IRS, you can track the status of your return you can login in to your MyTurboTax account at anytime. Previous Post Four Decades of Tax Policy and 10 Presidents Fighting for… Next Post IRS Update: They Will Begin Accepting Tax Returns with Education… Written by TurboTaxBlogTeam More from TurboTaxBlogTeam 366 responses to “IRS Update for Form 8863: Education Tax Credits” « Older Comments Newer Comments » I wasn’t an early filer. I filed on the 2nd of February and like others, my return was delayed until the 14th because of the 8863 form. I received confirmation that my return has been approved and is scheduled to be deposited on the 25th. Reply I was an early filer. Mine return was accepted on Jan 25th. I dont have the orange bars anymore, I just get a message saying They are still processing me return and a refund date will be provided when available. What is going on? its been like this for 2 weeks?! Any updates on this crap? I know I will never claim it again! Reply I agree, this is Bull Crap… I filed the paperwork on Jan 4, TT says the IRS accepted it Jan 25th… my refund is STILL not here… this is pathetic, I will NEVER use TT again… Reply wow my taxex was excepted on the 15th of Feb with all this crap going on it will be next month before i see something different that sucks. Same here Misty Reply Im wondering if they are counting weekends as part of the 21 days or just weekdays Reply I think there is a glitch in the Turbotax software. It is not allowing me to take the American Opportunity Tax Credit. It says that I have already taken it for 4 years and am not eligible, even though in an earlier screen I indicated that I had only taken it for 2 years. Can anyone else help with this? This same question was posted on the Forum but no answer was provided. Help please! Reply Hi Faith – You likely need to go back to your answers in the step-by-step interview. That part part of the program simply pulls from the answers you provide. Hope that helps! –Christopher Reply I filed on the 31st of January with form 1098 for student loan payments and here it is the 17th and mine still says the irs isnt ready to process it yet. My husband was told on the 14th that the irs had 72 hours to either reject or accept our return and here it is the 17th. Lets see what happens before midnight. Has anyone else heard this? Reply I fileld my 1098 form on January 25th and has been excepted and it should be into my account by the 19th it said. Reply I couldnt file until the 31st anyways but even today it still says “pending” on the TT website. But when i go to the irs website it says i have to wait 24 hours after i receive the acknowledgement that they have received it. This is so frustrating!!! The best time to check is early in the morning at 7am eastern time. After the IRS site gets so many people checking, the site gets overwhelmed and shuts down saying to wait 24 hours after you receive an email. Okay great, thanks Ok so i just checked and TT still has not sent it over to be processed. What the heck TT! This is what it says: 2012 Federal Personal TurboTax Electronic Postmark: January 31, 2013 04:41 PM PST Status: Pending What this means: It takes the IRS about 24 to 48 hours to process efiled returns. During that time, they are considered “pending.” Next step: Come back here later (we suggest waiting 24 hours), or check your email. We’ll notify you as soon as your return has been accepted. They should’ve accepted it, I would call. Reply has anyone return on wmr went from received to accepted?? Or has anyone received their returns yet who had form 8863? I found this as well: IRS Starts Processing Returns With Form 8863 Updated: 2/15/2013 Article ID: GEN83271 UPDATE: February 14, 2013 On February 14th, the IRS began processing returns that include Form 8863. Please be aware that your return will remain in “Pending” status for another 24-72 hours after February 14, as the IRS works through the backlog of stockpiled returns. Also, if your federal return is being held, your state return may also be delayed. Some state tax authorities require that the federal return is accepted before they can start processing. Note: Don’t worry if your tax return includes these education credits and has already been accepted by the IRS. You don’t need to do anything on your end. We will communicate with you directly to let you know when we are transmitting your return to the IRS. Once your return has been accepted by the IRS, you can expect to receive your refund in 21 days or less. But is this “business” hours or “Actual hours” Reply This stuff is crazy I filed on the 31st, mine was sent back so I had to send it back through on the 14th and it was accepted the same day I’m just waiting on my DD date. Does thee WMR update on the weekends? Reply I FINALLY GOT SOME ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I filed on the 17th of Jan and was accepted on the 24th. I’ve been stuck in limbo for what seems like forever, so I decided to try and find something out. So I called and called and called and finally got through just to wait on hold for over 20 minutes. But then I spoke to a really nice lady who told me some much needed info. She said that NO ONE who was accepted early was actually processed early, so those of us who thought we would get our DD early because we were part of the test batch were very wrong. She said that EVERYONE who’s return was ACCEPTED on or before 1/30 should have a DD date of 2/20 or earlier. I told her that I was part of the group that had their returns held for processing until the 14th because of the education credit, and she told me that they go based on the date of ACCEPTANCE, so everyone’s date of acceptance will be AT LEAST the 30th. NO EARLIER. SO she said they have up to 21 days to release the refunds from the day of ACCEPTANCE, and everyone who was ACCEPTED on or BEFORE 1/30 is considered accepted on the 30th and has an estimated DD date of 2/20. She said the best thing to do is to just add 21 days to the date your return was accepted and that is your projected DD date. She said it could always come sooner, but that should be the latest it would get there. She also said that the WMR site is so overwhelmed with everyone checking it multiple times a day, and calling constantly, that it has actually crashed a few times. She told me the site gets updated ONCE A DAY overnight (between 3am-6am EST) so as long as you check it AFTER 6am EST you will have the most updated info and there is NO NEED to continue to check it. It will only be updated that ONE TIME per day. She also told me they are doing DD every day and that the DD happen at 2pm EST and at midnight EST. She said those are the ONLY 2 times that DD go out. That’s all I know for now. She told me mine is still processing, so no news on that front. But at least I have a date to start looking for now. She said if I don’t get my money on the 20th, THEN I can call and find out what the hold up is. SO now I can patiently wait. I know what to check and when to check it, so now I feel bet Reply THANK GOODNESS! Im so glad you posted this it gives me hope. Mine was accepted on the 25th. Reply Thanks for the info. Misty,,,DId you get your DD yet? Mine was accepted also on the 25th of Jan. and had the form 8863, but I still am waiting on a date to be provided when available according to the IRS WMR page and when I called the IRS and talked to someone, she said it might be from now until the 1st week into March. So I don’t see how some people are getting a DDD when they were accepted the same as I did or even after me?? I don’t understand this big mess to start with… Well, my return was accepted jan 28th, and as of February 21st, my ‘Where’s my Refund status still says your return is being processed, and a refund date will be provided when available’ ABSOLUTE Garbage, this government and all it stands for now, lies & deceit to try and overcome all their problems, at the expense of hardworking individuals. I am SOOOO happy to have moved to Kuwait, and working TAX-Free!! No more of this B.S. for the foreseeable future! Reply So did you get your refund today Reply Did you received your refund on 2/20, because I’m still waiting it is now 2/21/13. Reply Has anyone’s status on wmr updated from received to approved yet? Reply I filed and was acceptd on Jan. 25th and its been in que until Feb. 14th b/c of education credit. My status now says that my return is still being processed and a date will be provided when available. No more status bar at the top. IRS said that anything that was accepted in Jan with education credits should be the 1st ones to process. Does anyone know how long this is going to take? Turbotax is showing that I should have it by Feb. 19th since the date it was accepted but I don’t see this is going to happen. Has anyone else received their taxes yet that has education credits on it? Reply I filed on1/26 was told this moring by a lady at IRS I should reveive my refund nezt wk if not sooner. On WMR never showed anything but received until sat I checked it again said no info on my refund status gave a number and ezt to call I called this morni.g talked to a lady she said I should have it next wk if not sooner I was shocked thay they were openon a holiday Reply Regardless of where you go to file your returns, its going to be the same thing people. Give turbo tax a break, its not their fault the IRS wasn’t ready for our returns. All this complaining is wasted time. Please post some good news on here and get over it. Complain to the IRS if anything. At least ours was accepted yesterday instead of the first week of March. Reply Well this explains why it took two weeks for federal to accept my return. Was starting to wonder if it had even been sent. Reply my husband recieved his refund 11 days after he filed and it was accepted he recieved his wmr date 3 or days before he recieved the refund. dont panic. Reply I filed my return with Turbotax on Feb 4th and received the notice that due to the 8863 education credit my return would be placed on hold…Well as of today (Feb 14) the IRS “wheres my refund” indicates that the return has been received and accepted and that my refund should be direct deposited into my account within 21 days…Woo Hoo! Reply @ TT – since today is the 14th does this mean that you will automatically send my tax return on to the IRS (originally sent in 2/1/13) now? I have not received any additional email for status updates and it still says pending when I log in. Thank you. Reply Also, can you please give me an idea as to when it will be sent? Reply Luch, I filed on the 26 of Jan, I received a email from Turbo Tax this afternoon that mine was accepted by IRS. I recieved an e-mail from H&R block today FINALLY that the IRS has accepted my refund. But no new news on the irs.gov website or my state tax for that matter. I called H&R Block and the rude lady that answered said again to expect my check in about 21 days from today! What the crap? Another 3 effing weeks? I’m fed up to my eyeballs with this dragging along. Enough is enough! FYI FOR ALL 8863 FILERS…. I have been reading that many 8863 filers who were accepted early and been in processing hell since are now starting to become accepted by wmr. Just take a look over at igotmyrefund.com Reply Hey! Mine says accepted today! We are on our way now! Reply Tracy, When did you file with TT? Reply I got a question for everyone. Has anybody with Form 8863 seen a change in their status? Has anybody with Form 8863 received a direct deposit date? Just curious to see what was happening… Mine just got excepted today Paul on 2/14 mine.was accepted. According to TT I went to WMR it said accepted up until this past Saturday. Said received 2/1 then we can not.provide any I.o about your refund allow 4.weeks if.you.return was mailed Read the following.on related tax situation TaxTopic 152. It.only.contain had nf about direct deposit. Said to call IRS gave a number and extension and reference number. Not thinking about a holiday I called got a person she said not to worry and.ck baxk on WMR daily my refund ahould.be in my account.in next week Maybe sooner. Being a holiday I was ahocked to get through. Hope this helps ill post.when.I get new info No I am still showing accepted, and no updates. Hey Everybody, I have a question for all. Has anybody received a refund this year and when you check your WMR status it still says being processed? Just wondering bout that. Thanks, Paul Paul my was accepted but no DD I got am email from Turbo Tax this morning stating my tax return is now able to be processed as of today. I checked WMR and still shows “your tax return is being processed, a refund date will be provided when available” My return was accepted by the IRS on 1/25. I have had that same message now since Monday. Reply Hi Mel, I am in the exact same position as you. Same date for being accepted and same information back from the IRS. I have been trying to get a answer but all I get from TT is that no returns were accepted 1/30 (I have written proof from TT in a email) and that IRS says none were started until January 30. Any other information I find I will put on here. Paul Reply i have a question Pau 2/15 received email fr TT my return was accepted by irs. on monday at wmr it showed accepted as all week up until toda( Sunday ) morning it states at WMR Refund status we cannot provide any info on your return talks about 4 wk from the time you mailed you returns and read the following related to your tax situation Tax Topic 152 Refund info gave a ref number and phone number to call to get info and tax topic info about 3 options you.have to receive a repund and you can deposit it in up to 3 accounts. what do ypu make of this? Has anyone had their WMR updated to a approved Status that was submitted and accepted before the Jan 28? Reply I filed on the 1st of feburay and mine went from in line up to pending? Reply I filed on 1-26, it was accepted by IRS, WMR is is showing for two days as Return Received. Noting about being approved or a date of deposit. Nope, no updated status as of yet. Accepted 1/26, wmr still says “we have received your refund and it is being processed” and should have your refund within 21 days…blah, blah…i received an email from turbotax stating the we can check wmr after 24hours (tomorrow 2/15). Hopefully, it will give us an update, but I wouldn’t count on it. Reply No, I checked this morning and it is still in the accepted status with no expected DD date. Reply Lori, my was accepted today, I filed on the 26 of Jan A little disappointed this morning to wake up and not have any notification from TT that our return has even been sent yet. When will TT make the transfer of the returns their holding to the IRS? Reply TT has no control over this, it all has to do with the IRS. I filled my taxes on TT on 1/20 and was accepted 1/22. I look the status and now it has change to being process waiting on return date. The sonnest i think your goign to get it will be friday if you have filled early. Reply Funny thing is a friend of mine sent her info to a lady that new this month she will not be getting her money cause of the 8863 form and didnt put it through so she got her refund already knowing it will not go through. Reply Hopefully tomorrow, we will have some answers. My return was also accepted by the IRS on 1/25 and WMR also changed to say we will give you a deposit date as soon as possible. Before the 12th, it said it was being processed and expect the return no later than 21 days after it was accepted. Reply Ive used turbotax for 8 years…..I wIll never ever use them AGAIN! Reply It’s really turbo tax fault this is the government. Turbo tax is finding out things they same we are they don’t have a special insight. No one with form 8863 has gotten there money. It’s should’ve tested the forms long before they did. Reply Not good TT, people From my HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network Reply Has this happen to anyone the irs accepted my tax return on 1/25/13. It has shown processing on wmr up until today (2/12/13) when I checked wmr it said there was no information available on my tax return. Reply mine changed the exact same way Reply Hello you guys may want to make sure that on the 14th you don’t have to go back and re-submit your federal. Mines was filed on the 31st and my tax lady told be that they have to go back in and resubmit them. I would just ask to be on the safe side so yours isn’t just sitting and you are waiting. Reply Just wanted to let everyone know that I filed my taxes with H&R Block on January 27th. I claimed the Lifetime Learning credits. My return still has not been accepted. H&R Block says Mid-Feb to March. That is all I know, Also H&R Block no longer does Rapid Refunds. Only Emerald Line advance line of credit for which you must first pass a credit check, Reply I know a tax preparer at H&R Block and although they did not know the exact date in which the 8863 form would be available they were aware that the IRS would be delayed in processing these returns since they opened their doors. This should be common knowledge for anyone preparing a tax return. Reply So I just checked WMR and my status changed where it says as soon as a date is available for your deposit we will provide one for you. I hope this means I will receive and date tomorrow since it only update at night. Reply Does your status say Approved? Reply You ain’t gonna get any update from the IRS until after Feb. 14th and I wouldn’t bank on getting an updated status then either. This is the IRS/Gov’t we’re talking about here. They work on their own time frame. Not us peon’s trying to make it day to day paying bills and tuition. Reply my status changed the same way to in process and deposit date as soon as available Reply I was so worried because mine said the same thing. It still says this today. Reply I have patiently waited, because for me it was worth the wait! I ended up being quoted an additional almost $1,000 in credit. Ya’ll are crazy getting so upset. Reply We are upset because it should not take 6 effing weeks to get a return by e-file! So yes, I’m GD upset about it! I have a little over $8500 coming to us. We have 2 children in daycare and my wife is going to college to finish up her PHD degree. She has her Masters already, but college is killing us in expenses! It’s all big sham! ALL OF IT! Reply Hi My tax lady told me when she refiles mine on the 14 it will process like everyone else’s. I don’t think it will be that long everyone I know is getting it back in about 5 days with DD. Many people like me sent our returns in early. Mine was sent to TT on 1/12 and they sent it to the IRS on 1/24 and it was approved on 1/25. According to what I was told by the IRS and TT is that people like me who has their return accepted (means that it is at the IRS and not being held by TT) we with accepted ones do not have to refile again. The IRS is suppose to process that ones like mine that were sent in during the test. I looked forward to the 14th and getting this tax year over with. Paul I hope they process it quickly for you. Paul, did the IRS say that you return was all complete and approved and all they had to do was process the refund on the 14th or do they have to go through and review the whole return paper before processing the refund? So basically, from what I am reading, our returns have already been processed, all but the Form 8863 that is. Am I correct in understanding that once Feb. 14th hits, all they will have to do is process that one portion of the return? Then as mentioned the “average” wait time will be 1 week, but they can take up to 3 weeks if they want. If all this is true, since my return was accepted Jan. 26th, I should have my return by Feb. 21st correct???? Reply No Lori, I just got off the phone with the local H&R Block office and they told me to expect it 21 days after Feb. 14th. So I wouldn’t get too excited about it. It sucks that we were screwed on this from the get go. It’s all a sham and the Gov’t is making $$$ of all of the interest the longer they hold it. So I’m looking at March 8th before I recieve any sure word on when we’ll get OUR money. Reply Yeah and I have to amend mine, it will be here for Christmas lol From my HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network I talked to the IRS today. They told me that any returns submitted before 1/30 and accepted would be processed first. The 21 days would be from 1/30 on and not from the day the return was accepted. My return was accepted on 1/25. She told me to count my 21 days starting on 1/30. The only sad thing is that all the returns that were held with tax preparers are new and their 21 days start then. I also heard that once they start the processing of returns with 8863 it should go pretty fast. All we need to do is be positive, pray, and know that eventually we will all have our refunds. No Lori, you will get your refund 21 days after Feb. 14th. That is what I was told direct from the horse’s mouth this morning. It sux balls doesn’t it? I have 3 small kids to feed and daycare expense is getting out of hand. 2 kids in daycare is costing us $800 skins a month! $100 per child per week! Me and my wife count on this refund to help us through the year! But the IRS and tax prep companies could not care less about us little people! They already have our money! What gives? Reply Why if we have to wait until feb 14 with turbo tax but people who used h&r , & (had education credit) have already gotten their refund?? Can turbotax answer that question? Pleaae thank you! Reply First off…TT will answer with the same ol’ bull that “its not them” Its the irs” etc etc….then when you question more they will just disappear. Second…a friend that went to the same school for the same period as me and paid all the same dues and filed the same way as me already has his return. This WILL be the last time we all should use TT!. TT told us all a week ago that we could not get the forms back from them to leave the credit out because the irs already has them, but then the other day the email stated that ” on the 14th TT will be transmitting them to the irs for processing” . hmm thought they had them already? I questioned that on this forum and surprise surprise…no response! Reply Hi David, Once you hit the e-file button we cannot go back in and tell the system that you don’t want your tax return submitted. Even though the IRS could not accept certain forms and your tax return is on hold it once you hit the e-file button the IRS still considers the information as submitted. We can not go back in and change that. Plus leaving that form out and amending is a bad option. You will get your full refund shortly instead of waiting for an amended tax return to be processed which can take 8 – 12 weeks. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Hi Amy, I know someone who uses H & R block and they usually give your refund the same day as you file with as they front the refund. Turbo Tax does not do that, and I am glad they don’t. Reply Melanie, You might want to research what you say before passing it around especially this year. You said “I know someone who uses H & R block and they usually give your refund the same day as you file with as they front the refund” and you are wrong. The only way that HR Block will give you money ahead of time is if you take out a loan on the anticipated but not received yet loan. And they charge people ridiculous rates for this. Honestly Paul I said a friend of mine told me which means that is all I know, and I personally don’t have time to research H&R block. I don’t file with them for a reason. If others want to know more then they can do the research. That’s bull Melanie! H&R block does not offer the same day refund anymore. They don’t even offer the 3 day rapid refund anymore. It’s all a sham to keep your money as long as they can! This country is going to hell in a hand basket! So don’t believe that dud that said they received their money the same day at H&R Block. They are full of horse manure! when will TT tell us how many returns we get to file with the purchase of the disc? Reply I filed with TT on 1/10, accepted 1/25 then received the email about the 8863 delay. While frustrated I gave up on being mad. We wait regardless. But since I was an early filer and WMR says its being processed, does that mean mi e will be one of the first to go through on the 14th? After hearing everyone else on these forums I refused to call and deal with the IRS Reply Melanie, Thanks for your detailed response, I appreciate it. It’s so frustrating that others are able to get a date of direct deposit and we’re all just stuck in limbo. I know it’s not Turbo Tax fault this happened, but some of us paid fees to have our return completed. We are paying customers and Turbo Tax should be more responsive to our questions and concerns. I noticed the only time someone from Turbo Tax comes into the conversation, it is only to say “this is not our fault and here is the proof”. All Turbo Tax wants is to be “in the clear” and they really don’t care now that they’ve already been paid for their services. Good luck to you and everyone else still waiting, hopefully we won’t be waiting too much longer. Thanks again. Reply I have yet to receive an answer for my question from any turbo tax, but I spoke to IRS about this new date. I was told that they can start processing the 8863’s as of the date they announced it, but the official date isn’t till the 14th. They said the average wait time for DD after approved is a week, but they said they are allowed up to three weeks after you have been approved. Depending upon how fast the system is able to process the tax returns will depend on how quickly our turn around is. It isn’t Turbo Tax fault for the delay, but I wish someone would have responded to my question. Instead IRS answered it. I hope this information helps others. Reply Melanie, Was your tax refund already accepted by the IRS? Did the IRS give you a inclination as to what would happen with returns that were already accepted but not processed? Are they processing all 8863s beginning 2/14? Turbo tax customer service sucks…where can I direct a complaint? Reply My tax return was accepted on Jan 25th when they did a test run and discovered the system error when it hit certain forms which one was the 8863. I was told the official date is the 14th, but it is possible for them to have started Friday when they made the announcement. I am sure they had to test run the update in order to know if they fixed the bug, so some people tax returns that have the 8863 could possible have a direct deposit date now. I don’t know where you can go to complain, but I use Turbo Tax and have for 5 years. I was notified about the delay via email on the 28th of January by Turbo Tax. I do think they need to improve their customer service, but the delay is IRS fault. I think they should have put a pop up alert for those who filed after the announcement to give them an option to change their tax return. But I am not Turbo Tax. All I can say is that I hope they are able to process them all on the 14th, but the rumor is that they have over 3,000,000 on hold right now. Who knows if the system can process that many. There is another rumor that they will be processing in order they were e-filed, but no one will confirm either of these for me. I hope this helps you. Melanie, I am in the same group as you. My return was accepted by the IRS on the 25th of January also. One thing to remember is the IRS does not have to completely process our returns. They only have to process form 8863. I called the IRS this past week and they told me once the glitch is fixed the returns on hold at the IRS will fly through. Just a little extra information for you. Paul What is the average wait time? Thanks for the info Has anyone noticed that TurboTax Lisa has totally disregarded my questions directed to her? I am never using Turbo Tax again. I don’t like to be ignored by an entity to which I have paid for services. It’s like I am paying you to ignore me! Reply Hope this helps everyone…on the IRS website they have stated that they will start processing tax returns for the 8863 form on February 14th. So hold on just a little bit longer. Reply I have a question for anybody that has already received their return. How accurate was the Where’s My Refund? Was your money in your bank when the IRS says it sent it on the WMR? I am just curious because we all know how our refund date would not show up beford on the WMR till a week after we had received our refund. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Paul Reply I just called my local HR Block office and was told….”oh yeah the IRS is STILL NOT ACCEPTING your return because of the form 8863!” It’s feb 8th today, so she continued to tell me in almost a “gloating” and “gleeful” voice and says “you should not expect your return until the end of February or the middle of March!” Are you effing kidding me? This is just horse manure by all involved! What ticks me off the most was the way the HR Block lady said it like, she was just dying to deflate my hope of getting a definite date on my return status. I’m ready to jump off a GD bridge because of this shitt! Reply Hi, The IRS just announced today that they will be ready to process tax returns with form 8863 on February 14th. Here is the announcement http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-To-Accept-Tax-Returns-with-Education-Credits,-Depreciation-Next-Week and our blog post letting our customers know http://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2013/02/08/irs-update-they-will-begin-accepting-tax-returns-with-education-credits-and-depreciation/ Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply Thanks TTLisa! Does that mean that a check will be mailed on Feb. 14th? Or do we have to wait another 2 weeks for our refund? Thanks for any info provided TTLisa! Cheers! goes to show the HR Blockhead lady at my local office doesn’t even know the IRS announced this today also! She was joyful in her voice by telling me I had to wait until the end of Feb. or mid March! I should call back and let her have it over the phone! She was just a rude jackasss!!! Hello Lisa, I have read the announcement on the IRS website and on the turbo tax blog regarding processing returns with form 8863. None of these announcements make any reference to the tax refunds that were already accepted prior to the IRS making their announcement. What happens to those returns? The announcement says they will begin accepting returns. What about the returns they took and have been in processing since Jan 24th. Do you think you can give me a straight answer? If you don’t have a straight answer, is turbo tax doing anything to find out this information? I know its not turbo tax’s fault this happened, but you guys should be proactive in getting answers for your customers. I know you must be tired of the backlash from your customers. Shows us you’re on our side and get us the answers we need. I noticed that TurboTax Bob, TurboTax VP has not been on the wire for quite some time. What’s the matter Bob the VP, too hot in the kitchen for you? The IRS obviously are not providing any information to us, the taxPAYER! Paul if your return was received before this delay for education credits you will get your return 21 days after the irs received your return. so if your return was accepted before january 24 you will get your refund before they process on February 14 that date is for new filers that filed after the irs announced the delay. Reply Is this 100% sure? Because my return was accepted by the IRS on Jan 25th. I was wondering if I would get mine before the 14th? Reply Hi Misty and Tammy, I am hoping that it is true. From what I was told about us people whose returns were a part of the test phase the only thing they have to do on our return is 8863. The IRS has our returns (not turbotax) like many have been thinking. Also I do taxes and know several tax preparers in town who do volume unlike me and they told me that the programming error is fixed and that they are able to do returns with 8863 and 4562 because the IRS now is working on the other forms. I am going to keep checking mine each day. Paul, I e filed on the 26th got an email from TT that mine filed . then another one that said it was pending. So what does this mean? Did they file it or not. Has it been sitting in limbo for a couple of weeks? From what Bob said, you may want to chat with them, the test returns that were done early like mine had to go all the way to the “IRS has accepted your return this is nothing else you have to do” part. I got the email stating this. These returns are with the IRS and once they start processing 8863 our returns will be processed first that we accepted then they will do the others. Surprisinly there are allegdly 3,000,000 people that use Form 8863. Let us all know Paul how this works out for you, it will clarify some of our questions. I will keep you up with what is going on. Once my status changes return received to return approved and the return sent. When I talked to my Uncle who is a CPA he said that it should move pretty fast after fixing the programming errors. It was the whole point of the IRS having a new system. Last year the IRS used both systems and had problems. This year they are only running the new system and other than 8863 and 4562 problem returns are processed earlier and refunds too but I do not see where because February 14 will be my 21st day. Does anyone have any info as to when the 8863 filers will be processed as of late. I am still in pending status with TT. Paul S – did you get your money?? Reply No I have not got my refund yet. Mine has been pending status since Jan. 24th. I was one of the early ones that was picked. I think that it is stupid that me along with the other test returns were all done, completed, except for this programming problem. On the IRS website it had Form 8863 return processed in mid-February and the others in late February or Early March. So now they go and on February 10th, Sunday, they are going to start processing returns with Form 4562 and then on February 14th processing 8863. So now I am even more ticked because they had Form 8863 listed first and when I called in the IRS said Form 8863 filers would be first and so did TT. So if we go with history start processing on 2/14 a Thursday then Monday the 18th is a holiday so we will all be lucky to see a refund before February 22nd. Now I know that my addition is really good and I come up with a total of 30 days so what happened to the 30 days. Also through here and calling Tax Act, Tax Slayer, and HR Block are sending in returns with Form 8863 in them and people are getting refunds and not the processing message. I was told on the 25th that mine was one of the test ones and find it hard to believe that all the test returns were done, completely processed and we are still playing the waiting game and being lied to. What does everybody think and have you heard anything about Tax Act, Tax Slayer, and HR Block processing returns with Form 8863 and these people getting their refunds? Reply No I have not hear anything, but plan on try them out next tax season. I filed with Tax Act and mine is also still pending. I filed Jan. 25 and I am still in the processing stage. i chated with an h and r block rep and they told me this morning that the form 8863 will be processing today feb 7th Reply Hi Tracy, That is not correct. All tax providers can not submit tax returns with form 8863 until 2/14. Please see the IRS announcement dated Friday 2/8 http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-To-Accept-Tax-Returns-with-Education-Credits,-Depreciation-Next-Week As soon as they are ready to accept those tax returns on 2/14, we will submit them to the IRS. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply Hi Lisa Greene-Lewis, I’ve been following this thread for a few days now. First, I want to start by saying that your patience is admirable,(thank you for doing your job) especially when dealing with the incompetent , irrational, angry, confused ,frustrated herd of people that have nothing better to do then point fingers when something goes awry in THEIR lives. I understand that everyone on this thread is frustrated. WE ALL NEED the money, but whining wont make it appear any faster. THIS IS NOT TURBO TAXES FAULT, I REPEAT, this has nothing to do with TURBO-TAX , they are merely a middle-man providing tax representation to anyone who CHOOSES to fie with them. For those reading this snidely with your chin-up, waiting eagerly to make a disrespectful comment, back. GROW UP!! I will not respond to negative comments and resort myself to such trivial , primitive dialogue. I do however have a question for you LISA ; Here’s my situation: I e-filed with TURBO-TAX on the 23rd and I was accepted on Jan. 25th , 2013, BEFORE TURBO-TAX knew of the Delay issued by the IRS on the ,28th. I Filed a Federal return claiming the “Hope Credit” which is now the American Opportunity credit. My Return was small, as I am a college student. But that is besides the point. Since I was accepted early; but the IRS issued the delay on the 28th, and wont be accepting form 8863 until FEB , 14th; does this mean that my refund will be delayed 21 days after the 14th, or 21 days after my initial acceptance date on the , 25th? Thank you in advance. I look forward to your response. Regards, American-Citizen , College-Student and Fellow Tax-payer Hi, Thank you for your nice comment. Per the IRS, you should get your tax refund within 21 days after they accept your tax return http://www.irs.gov/Refunds/Where%27s-My-Refund-It%27s-Quick,-Easy,-and-Secure. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis I know its not turbotax’s fault um just upset they respond back to me. I have tried and tired. My state was accepted but I forgot a 1099 form do I have to amend the state return please.. From my HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network I talked to a lady at the IRS today and she said that the 21 days starts at January 30th because anything done before then was a test run. I see TTLisa doesnt like the heat in the kitchen. Why have you not responded to my response? Just another TT adviser that has no clue! Hi David, Please see my response. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis I fIled 1/26/13 stIll nothIng! I already got my state back….If turbotax doesnt send It soon I wIll just got to h&r or taxact snd fIle wIthout educatIon credIts and amend later…I serIously doubt I wIll use them agaIn! smh Reply Hi Amy, The IRS announced yesterday that they will be processing returns that have form 8863 on 2/14. You can read the announcement here http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-To-Accept-Tax-Returns-with-Education-Credits,-Depreciation-Next-Week Please understand that this is an industry wide issue and whatever tax provider used would not be able to submit tax returns with the education credit form 8863. Filing without the education credit and amending later is not a good alternative. The IRS will be processing form 8863 starting 2/14 so you can get your entire tax refund. If you file without it and amend, you have to go through the hassle of amending, you have to paper file an amendment, and it takes the IRS 8 – 12 weeks to process amended tax returns. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply I filed and recived an email stating my return had been accepted by the irs on 1/26 and then the email on the 28th stating that they would get around to it when the wanted to…. When I called turbo tax for information I could not get an American on the phone. With all of the delays being caused by updating a system to prevent fraud it would seem like a no brainier to not allow my personal information overseas to people who can not be prosecuted by the USA for identity fraud. It is to late for me to cx this year will be my last ever with turbo tax. A least when I walk into h&r block the “plumber” / tax advisor could go to jail if he steals my personal identity information. Reply Hi Jarrod, All of our tax experts and support are local and are not overseas. Did you get an answer to your question? I’m happy to have someone answer your question. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply We filed with H&R Block on Jan. 30 and weren’t told about the delay until they called us on Feb 4. We tried to remove the form from our taxes, but the said the the IRS has our return on hold and there is nothing that we can do about it. Is there a way around this delay? Reply Melony, unfortunately you too fell victim to the H&R Blockheads also. They don’t care about your return money, they only care about getting their fees sucked out of your return up-front and then let you twist in the wind with all these wild expected dates of Feb 28 to mid-March! Sorry Melony you are in the same camp as us sweetheart! Just have to sit this one out for a few weeks and stew over it. Reply I am a student as well like many of you but getting upset with turbo tax is a little uncalled for i have had a great experience with using them and will continue to do so. But getting angry cause you need the money will not get you the answers if you payed attention to the news or irs and the fact that everything was delayed to begin with should have been a red flag that things will be delayed this year stop playing turbo ta and get mad at your goverment Reply When I filed my taxes, I applied to get education credits and I did not qualify for any. Will this effect the date of my tax refund? Reply But I did get awarded $14 for student loan interest that I paid last year Reply Form 8863 most confusing thing ever to us new at this. I had read the posts on line in TT before I processed my return, and based on what people were saying about the delays, tried to delete my form that I had started. Evidentally TT system did not allow the form to be deleted once started because it now shows in my return. Did anyone else have this problem? Also, never could pinpoint exactly how to fill this information out on TT site, and evidentally I did not do correctly because I didn’t receive any type of credit from it. Do all result in some sort of credit when using this form? Will this hold the IRS has on fixing the form correct my return if I didn’t do it correctly? Reply This really stinks, I pay all my tuition on my own, support myself WITHOUT any government assistance, pay all the taxes the Jack*** in the White House robs me of, but yet my catagory of taxes cannot be accepted yet! Why is it that people like me always come out the last in line? Oh thats right, because we have to wait til all the welfare, and unemployed get what they have coming from MY hard work and honesty! Reply What does the POTUS have to do with any of this? This is why the IRS believes there is rampant fraud where education credits are concerned. You’d have to have the understanding of basic civics of a 3 year old to post what you’ve posted. Enjoy continued ignorance! Reply You paid all that tuition and college fees, but yet you still spew ignorance and biased judgements. People on welfare? What do you know about welfare? People on welfare get welfare because they don’t work. You can’t file an income tax from welfare! The unemployed (smh)? The unemployed paid taxes just like you. There are unemployed people that go to school just like you and pay their own tuition, just like you. Are they to blame for the holdup in your taxes? Let’s be real here, the IRS is holding up everyone who has form 8863. Direct your anger at the IRS, not those on welfare and the unemployed. Reply Im waiting on a 3065 Refund because of these credits. I wouldn’t have gotten a refund otherwise. So im happy for the credits but I really need the IRS to hurry up. I need to buy brake pads for my car, and I’m really looking forward to the shopping spree im wanting to go on. If they time it right I’ll receive my new Chase credit card the same week I get my refund. Then in March after everythings maxxed out and spent i file for bankruptcy. The longer I have to wait for the refund the longer i have to wait to file. I cant file first because then they take your refund and I wanna spend it. Reply « Older Comments Newer Comments » Leave a ReplyCancel reply Browse Related Articles Life Meet Drew Business Taxes Meet Robin Self-Employed Meet Moira Tax Planning TurboTax Enables Refund Advance to Taxpayers Investments Tax Benefits of Real Estate Investing Self-Employed Business Tax Checklist: What You’ll Need When Filing Uncategorized What Is Deferred Compensation & How Is It Taxed? Investments How Does an Inherited IRA Work? Work Choosing Your Business Structure: 5 Types of Businesses… Tax Deductions and Credits Are HOA Fees Tax Deductible? What You Need to Know
I wasn’t an early filer. I filed on the 2nd of February and like others, my return was delayed until the 14th because of the 8863 form. I received confirmation that my return has been approved and is scheduled to be deposited on the 25th. Reply
I was an early filer. Mine return was accepted on Jan 25th. I dont have the orange bars anymore, I just get a message saying They are still processing me return and a refund date will be provided when available. What is going on? its been like this for 2 weeks?! Any updates on this crap? I know I will never claim it again! Reply
I agree, this is Bull Crap… I filed the paperwork on Jan 4, TT says the IRS accepted it Jan 25th… my refund is STILL not here… this is pathetic, I will NEVER use TT again… Reply
wow my taxex was excepted on the 15th of Feb with all this crap going on it will be next month before i see something different that sucks.
I think there is a glitch in the Turbotax software. It is not allowing me to take the American Opportunity Tax Credit. It says that I have already taken it for 4 years and am not eligible, even though in an earlier screen I indicated that I had only taken it for 2 years. Can anyone else help with this? This same question was posted on the Forum but no answer was provided. Help please! Reply
Hi Faith – You likely need to go back to your answers in the step-by-step interview. That part part of the program simply pulls from the answers you provide. Hope that helps! –Christopher Reply
I filed on the 31st of January with form 1098 for student loan payments and here it is the 17th and mine still says the irs isnt ready to process it yet. My husband was told on the 14th that the irs had 72 hours to either reject or accept our return and here it is the 17th. Lets see what happens before midnight. Has anyone else heard this? Reply
I fileld my 1098 form on January 25th and has been excepted and it should be into my account by the 19th it said. Reply
I couldnt file until the 31st anyways but even today it still says “pending” on the TT website. But when i go to the irs website it says i have to wait 24 hours after i receive the acknowledgement that they have received it. This is so frustrating!!!
The best time to check is early in the morning at 7am eastern time. After the IRS site gets so many people checking, the site gets overwhelmed and shuts down saying to wait 24 hours after you receive an email.
This is what it says: 2012 Federal Personal TurboTax Electronic Postmark: January 31, 2013 04:41 PM PST Status: Pending What this means: It takes the IRS about 24 to 48 hours to process efiled returns. During that time, they are considered “pending.” Next step: Come back here later (we suggest waiting 24 hours), or check your email. We’ll notify you as soon as your return has been accepted.
has anyone return on wmr went from received to accepted?? Or has anyone received their returns yet who had form 8863?
I found this as well: IRS Starts Processing Returns With Form 8863 Updated: 2/15/2013 Article ID: GEN83271 UPDATE: February 14, 2013 On February 14th, the IRS began processing returns that include Form 8863. Please be aware that your return will remain in “Pending” status for another 24-72 hours after February 14, as the IRS works through the backlog of stockpiled returns. Also, if your federal return is being held, your state return may also be delayed. Some state tax authorities require that the federal return is accepted before they can start processing. Note: Don’t worry if your tax return includes these education credits and has already been accepted by the IRS. You don’t need to do anything on your end. We will communicate with you directly to let you know when we are transmitting your return to the IRS. Once your return has been accepted by the IRS, you can expect to receive your refund in 21 days or less. But is this “business” hours or “Actual hours” Reply
This stuff is crazy I filed on the 31st, mine was sent back so I had to send it back through on the 14th and it was accepted the same day I’m just waiting on my DD date. Does thee WMR update on the weekends? Reply
I FINALLY GOT SOME ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I filed on the 17th of Jan and was accepted on the 24th. I’ve been stuck in limbo for what seems like forever, so I decided to try and find something out. So I called and called and called and finally got through just to wait on hold for over 20 minutes. But then I spoke to a really nice lady who told me some much needed info. She said that NO ONE who was accepted early was actually processed early, so those of us who thought we would get our DD early because we were part of the test batch were very wrong. She said that EVERYONE who’s return was ACCEPTED on or before 1/30 should have a DD date of 2/20 or earlier. I told her that I was part of the group that had their returns held for processing until the 14th because of the education credit, and she told me that they go based on the date of ACCEPTANCE, so everyone’s date of acceptance will be AT LEAST the 30th. NO EARLIER. SO she said they have up to 21 days to release the refunds from the day of ACCEPTANCE, and everyone who was ACCEPTED on or BEFORE 1/30 is considered accepted on the 30th and has an estimated DD date of 2/20. She said the best thing to do is to just add 21 days to the date your return was accepted and that is your projected DD date. She said it could always come sooner, but that should be the latest it would get there. She also said that the WMR site is so overwhelmed with everyone checking it multiple times a day, and calling constantly, that it has actually crashed a few times. She told me the site gets updated ONCE A DAY overnight (between 3am-6am EST) so as long as you check it AFTER 6am EST you will have the most updated info and there is NO NEED to continue to check it. It will only be updated that ONE TIME per day. She also told me they are doing DD every day and that the DD happen at 2pm EST and at midnight EST. She said those are the ONLY 2 times that DD go out. That’s all I know for now. She told me mine is still processing, so no news on that front. But at least I have a date to start looking for now. She said if I don’t get my money on the 20th, THEN I can call and find out what the hold up is. SO now I can patiently wait. I know what to check and when to check it, so now I feel bet Reply
Mine was accepted also on the 25th of Jan. and had the form 8863, but I still am waiting on a date to be provided when available according to the IRS WMR page and when I called the IRS and talked to someone, she said it might be from now until the 1st week into March. So I don’t see how some people are getting a DDD when they were accepted the same as I did or even after me?? I don’t understand this big mess to start with…
Well, my return was accepted jan 28th, and as of February 21st, my ‘Where’s my Refund status still says your return is being processed, and a refund date will be provided when available’ ABSOLUTE Garbage, this government and all it stands for now, lies & deceit to try and overcome all their problems, at the expense of hardworking individuals. I am SOOOO happy to have moved to Kuwait, and working TAX-Free!! No more of this B.S. for the foreseeable future! Reply
I filed and was acceptd on Jan. 25th and its been in que until Feb. 14th b/c of education credit. My status now says that my return is still being processed and a date will be provided when available. No more status bar at the top. IRS said that anything that was accepted in Jan with education credits should be the 1st ones to process. Does anyone know how long this is going to take? Turbotax is showing that I should have it by Feb. 19th since the date it was accepted but I don’t see this is going to happen. Has anyone else received their taxes yet that has education credits on it? Reply
I filed on1/26 was told this moring by a lady at IRS I should reveive my refund nezt wk if not sooner. On WMR never showed anything but received until sat I checked it again said no info on my refund status gave a number and ezt to call I called this morni.g talked to a lady she said I should have it next wk if not sooner I was shocked thay they were openon a holiday Reply
Regardless of where you go to file your returns, its going to be the same thing people. Give turbo tax a break, its not their fault the IRS wasn’t ready for our returns. All this complaining is wasted time. Please post some good news on here and get over it. Complain to the IRS if anything. At least ours was accepted yesterday instead of the first week of March. Reply
Well this explains why it took two weeks for federal to accept my return. Was starting to wonder if it had even been sent. Reply
my husband recieved his refund 11 days after he filed and it was accepted he recieved his wmr date 3 or days before he recieved the refund. dont panic. Reply
I filed my return with Turbotax on Feb 4th and received the notice that due to the 8863 education credit my return would be placed on hold…Well as of today (Feb 14) the IRS “wheres my refund” indicates that the return has been received and accepted and that my refund should be direct deposited into my account within 21 days…Woo Hoo! Reply
@ TT – since today is the 14th does this mean that you will automatically send my tax return on to the IRS (originally sent in 2/1/13) now? I have not received any additional email for status updates and it still says pending when I log in. Thank you. Reply
Luch, I filed on the 26 of Jan, I received a email from Turbo Tax this afternoon that mine was accepted by IRS.
I recieved an e-mail from H&R block today FINALLY that the IRS has accepted my refund. But no new news on the irs.gov website or my state tax for that matter. I called H&R Block and the rude lady that answered said again to expect my check in about 21 days from today! What the crap? Another 3 effing weeks? I’m fed up to my eyeballs with this dragging along. Enough is enough!
FYI FOR ALL 8863 FILERS…. I have been reading that many 8863 filers who were accepted early and been in processing hell since are now starting to become accepted by wmr. Just take a look over at igotmyrefund.com Reply
I got a question for everyone. Has anybody with Form 8863 seen a change in their status? Has anybody with Form 8863 received a direct deposit date? Just curious to see what was happening…
Paul on 2/14 mine.was accepted. According to TT I went to WMR it said accepted up until this past Saturday. Said received 2/1 then we can not.provide any I.o about your refund allow 4.weeks if.you.return was mailed Read the following.on related tax situation TaxTopic 152. It.only.contain had nf about direct deposit. Said to call IRS gave a number and extension and reference number. Not thinking about a holiday I called got a person she said not to worry and.ck baxk on WMR daily my refund ahould.be in my account.in next week Maybe sooner. Being a holiday I was ahocked to get through. Hope this helps ill post.when.I get new info
Hey Everybody, I have a question for all. Has anybody received a refund this year and when you check your WMR status it still says being processed? Just wondering bout that. Thanks, Paul
I got am email from Turbo Tax this morning stating my tax return is now able to be processed as of today. I checked WMR and still shows “your tax return is being processed, a refund date will be provided when available” My return was accepted by the IRS on 1/25. I have had that same message now since Monday. Reply
Hi Mel, I am in the exact same position as you. Same date for being accepted and same information back from the IRS. I have been trying to get a answer but all I get from TT is that no returns were accepted 1/30 (I have written proof from TT in a email) and that IRS says none were started until January 30. Any other information I find I will put on here. Paul Reply
i have a question Pau 2/15 received email fr TT my return was accepted by irs. on monday at wmr it showed accepted as all week up until toda( Sunday ) morning it states at WMR Refund status we cannot provide any info on your return talks about 4 wk from the time you mailed you returns and read the following related to your tax situation Tax Topic 152 Refund info gave a ref number and phone number to call to get info and tax topic info about 3 options you.have to receive a repund and you can deposit it in up to 3 accounts. what do ypu make of this?
Has anyone had their WMR updated to a approved Status that was submitted and accepted before the Jan 28? Reply
I filed on 1-26, it was accepted by IRS, WMR is is showing for two days as Return Received. Noting about being approved or a date of deposit.
Nope, no updated status as of yet. Accepted 1/26, wmr still says “we have received your refund and it is being processed” and should have your refund within 21 days…blah, blah…i received an email from turbotax stating the we can check wmr after 24hours (tomorrow 2/15). Hopefully, it will give us an update, but I wouldn’t count on it. Reply
A little disappointed this morning to wake up and not have any notification from TT that our return has even been sent yet. When will TT make the transfer of the returns their holding to the IRS? Reply
TT has no control over this, it all has to do with the IRS. I filled my taxes on TT on 1/20 and was accepted 1/22. I look the status and now it has change to being process waiting on return date. The sonnest i think your goign to get it will be friday if you have filled early. Reply
Funny thing is a friend of mine sent her info to a lady that new this month she will not be getting her money cause of the 8863 form and didnt put it through so she got her refund already knowing it will not go through. Reply
Hopefully tomorrow, we will have some answers. My return was also accepted by the IRS on 1/25 and WMR also changed to say we will give you a deposit date as soon as possible. Before the 12th, it said it was being processed and expect the return no later than 21 days after it was accepted. Reply
It’s really turbo tax fault this is the government. Turbo tax is finding out things they same we are they don’t have a special insight. No one with form 8863 has gotten there money. It’s should’ve tested the forms long before they did. Reply
Has this happen to anyone the irs accepted my tax return on 1/25/13. It has shown processing on wmr up until today (2/12/13) when I checked wmr it said there was no information available on my tax return. Reply
Hello you guys may want to make sure that on the 14th you don’t have to go back and re-submit your federal. Mines was filed on the 31st and my tax lady told be that they have to go back in and resubmit them. I would just ask to be on the safe side so yours isn’t just sitting and you are waiting. Reply
Just wanted to let everyone know that I filed my taxes with H&R Block on January 27th. I claimed the Lifetime Learning credits. My return still has not been accepted. H&R Block says Mid-Feb to March. That is all I know, Also H&R Block no longer does Rapid Refunds. Only Emerald Line advance line of credit for which you must first pass a credit check, Reply
I know a tax preparer at H&R Block and although they did not know the exact date in which the 8863 form would be available they were aware that the IRS would be delayed in processing these returns since they opened their doors. This should be common knowledge for anyone preparing a tax return. Reply
So I just checked WMR and my status changed where it says as soon as a date is available for your deposit we will provide one for you. I hope this means I will receive and date tomorrow since it only update at night. Reply
You ain’t gonna get any update from the IRS until after Feb. 14th and I wouldn’t bank on getting an updated status then either. This is the IRS/Gov’t we’re talking about here. They work on their own time frame. Not us peon’s trying to make it day to day paying bills and tuition. Reply
I have patiently waited, because for me it was worth the wait! I ended up being quoted an additional almost $1,000 in credit. Ya’ll are crazy getting so upset. Reply
We are upset because it should not take 6 effing weeks to get a return by e-file! So yes, I’m GD upset about it! I have a little over $8500 coming to us. We have 2 children in daycare and my wife is going to college to finish up her PHD degree. She has her Masters already, but college is killing us in expenses! It’s all big sham! ALL OF IT! Reply
Hi My tax lady told me when she refiles mine on the 14 it will process like everyone else’s. I don’t think it will be that long everyone I know is getting it back in about 5 days with DD.
Many people like me sent our returns in early. Mine was sent to TT on 1/12 and they sent it to the IRS on 1/24 and it was approved on 1/25. According to what I was told by the IRS and TT is that people like me who has their return accepted (means that it is at the IRS and not being held by TT) we with accepted ones do not have to refile again. The IRS is suppose to process that ones like mine that were sent in during the test. I looked forward to the 14th and getting this tax year over with.
Paul, did the IRS say that you return was all complete and approved and all they had to do was process the refund on the 14th or do they have to go through and review the whole return paper before processing the refund?
So basically, from what I am reading, our returns have already been processed, all but the Form 8863 that is. Am I correct in understanding that once Feb. 14th hits, all they will have to do is process that one portion of the return? Then as mentioned the “average” wait time will be 1 week, but they can take up to 3 weeks if they want. If all this is true, since my return was accepted Jan. 26th, I should have my return by Feb. 21st correct???? Reply
No Lori, I just got off the phone with the local H&R Block office and they told me to expect it 21 days after Feb. 14th. So I wouldn’t get too excited about it. It sucks that we were screwed on this from the get go. It’s all a sham and the Gov’t is making $$$ of all of the interest the longer they hold it. So I’m looking at March 8th before I recieve any sure word on when we’ll get OUR money. Reply
Yeah and I have to amend mine, it will be here for Christmas lol From my HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network
I talked to the IRS today. They told me that any returns submitted before 1/30 and accepted would be processed first. The 21 days would be from 1/30 on and not from the day the return was accepted. My return was accepted on 1/25. She told me to count my 21 days starting on 1/30. The only sad thing is that all the returns that were held with tax preparers are new and their 21 days start then. I also heard that once they start the processing of returns with 8863 it should go pretty fast. All we need to do is be positive, pray, and know that eventually we will all have our refunds.
No Lori, you will get your refund 21 days after Feb. 14th. That is what I was told direct from the horse’s mouth this morning. It sux balls doesn’t it? I have 3 small kids to feed and daycare expense is getting out of hand. 2 kids in daycare is costing us $800 skins a month! $100 per child per week! Me and my wife count on this refund to help us through the year! But the IRS and tax prep companies could not care less about us little people! They already have our money! What gives? Reply
Why if we have to wait until feb 14 with turbo tax but people who used h&r , & (had education credit) have already gotten their refund?? Can turbotax answer that question? Pleaae thank you! Reply
First off…TT will answer with the same ol’ bull that “its not them” Its the irs” etc etc….then when you question more they will just disappear. Second…a friend that went to the same school for the same period as me and paid all the same dues and filed the same way as me already has his return. This WILL be the last time we all should use TT!. TT told us all a week ago that we could not get the forms back from them to leave the credit out because the irs already has them, but then the other day the email stated that ” on the 14th TT will be transmitting them to the irs for processing” . hmm thought they had them already? I questioned that on this forum and surprise surprise…no response! Reply
Hi David, Once you hit the e-file button we cannot go back in and tell the system that you don’t want your tax return submitted. Even though the IRS could not accept certain forms and your tax return is on hold it once you hit the e-file button the IRS still considers the information as submitted. We can not go back in and change that. Plus leaving that form out and amending is a bad option. You will get your full refund shortly instead of waiting for an amended tax return to be processed which can take 8 – 12 weeks. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis
Hi Amy, I know someone who uses H & R block and they usually give your refund the same day as you file with as they front the refund. Turbo Tax does not do that, and I am glad they don’t. Reply
Melanie, You might want to research what you say before passing it around especially this year. You said “I know someone who uses H & R block and they usually give your refund the same day as you file with as they front the refund” and you are wrong. The only way that HR Block will give you money ahead of time is if you take out a loan on the anticipated but not received yet loan. And they charge people ridiculous rates for this.
Honestly Paul I said a friend of mine told me which means that is all I know, and I personally don’t have time to research H&R block. I don’t file with them for a reason. If others want to know more then they can do the research.
That’s bull Melanie! H&R block does not offer the same day refund anymore. They don’t even offer the 3 day rapid refund anymore. It’s all a sham to keep your money as long as they can! This country is going to hell in a hand basket! So don’t believe that dud that said they received their money the same day at H&R Block. They are full of horse manure!
I filed with TT on 1/10, accepted 1/25 then received the email about the 8863 delay. While frustrated I gave up on being mad. We wait regardless. But since I was an early filer and WMR says its being processed, does that mean mi e will be one of the first to go through on the 14th? After hearing everyone else on these forums I refused to call and deal with the IRS Reply
Melanie, Thanks for your detailed response, I appreciate it. It’s so frustrating that others are able to get a date of direct deposit and we’re all just stuck in limbo. I know it’s not Turbo Tax fault this happened, but some of us paid fees to have our return completed. We are paying customers and Turbo Tax should be more responsive to our questions and concerns. I noticed the only time someone from Turbo Tax comes into the conversation, it is only to say “this is not our fault and here is the proof”. All Turbo Tax wants is to be “in the clear” and they really don’t care now that they’ve already been paid for their services. Good luck to you and everyone else still waiting, hopefully we won’t be waiting too much longer. Thanks again. Reply
I have yet to receive an answer for my question from any turbo tax, but I spoke to IRS about this new date. I was told that they can start processing the 8863’s as of the date they announced it, but the official date isn’t till the 14th. They said the average wait time for DD after approved is a week, but they said they are allowed up to three weeks after you have been approved. Depending upon how fast the system is able to process the tax returns will depend on how quickly our turn around is. It isn’t Turbo Tax fault for the delay, but I wish someone would have responded to my question. Instead IRS answered it. I hope this information helps others. Reply
Melanie, Was your tax refund already accepted by the IRS? Did the IRS give you a inclination as to what would happen with returns that were already accepted but not processed? Are they processing all 8863s beginning 2/14? Turbo tax customer service sucks…where can I direct a complaint? Reply
My tax return was accepted on Jan 25th when they did a test run and discovered the system error when it hit certain forms which one was the 8863. I was told the official date is the 14th, but it is possible for them to have started Friday when they made the announcement. I am sure they had to test run the update in order to know if they fixed the bug, so some people tax returns that have the 8863 could possible have a direct deposit date now. I don’t know where you can go to complain, but I use Turbo Tax and have for 5 years. I was notified about the delay via email on the 28th of January by Turbo Tax. I do think they need to improve their customer service, but the delay is IRS fault. I think they should have put a pop up alert for those who filed after the announcement to give them an option to change their tax return. But I am not Turbo Tax. All I can say is that I hope they are able to process them all on the 14th, but the rumor is that they have over 3,000,000 on hold right now. Who knows if the system can process that many. There is another rumor that they will be processing in order they were e-filed, but no one will confirm either of these for me. I hope this helps you.
Melanie, I am in the same group as you. My return was accepted by the IRS on the 25th of January also. One thing to remember is the IRS does not have to completely process our returns. They only have to process form 8863. I called the IRS this past week and they told me once the glitch is fixed the returns on hold at the IRS will fly through. Just a little extra information for you. Paul
Has anyone noticed that TurboTax Lisa has totally disregarded my questions directed to her? I am never using Turbo Tax again. I don’t like to be ignored by an entity to which I have paid for services. It’s like I am paying you to ignore me! Reply
Hope this helps everyone…on the IRS website they have stated that they will start processing tax returns for the 8863 form on February 14th. So hold on just a little bit longer. Reply
I have a question for anybody that has already received their return. How accurate was the Where’s My Refund? Was your money in your bank when the IRS says it sent it on the WMR? I am just curious because we all know how our refund date would not show up beford on the WMR till a week after we had received our refund. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Paul Reply
I just called my local HR Block office and was told….”oh yeah the IRS is STILL NOT ACCEPTING your return because of the form 8863!” It’s feb 8th today, so she continued to tell me in almost a “gloating” and “gleeful” voice and says “you should not expect your return until the end of February or the middle of March!” Are you effing kidding me? This is just horse manure by all involved! What ticks me off the most was the way the HR Block lady said it like, she was just dying to deflate my hope of getting a definite date on my return status. I’m ready to jump off a GD bridge because of this shitt! Reply
Hi, The IRS just announced today that they will be ready to process tax returns with form 8863 on February 14th. Here is the announcement http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-To-Accept-Tax-Returns-with-Education-Credits,-Depreciation-Next-Week and our blog post letting our customers know http://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2013/02/08/irs-update-they-will-begin-accepting-tax-returns-with-education-credits-and-depreciation/ Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
Thanks TTLisa! Does that mean that a check will be mailed on Feb. 14th? Or do we have to wait another 2 weeks for our refund? Thanks for any info provided TTLisa! Cheers!
goes to show the HR Blockhead lady at my local office doesn’t even know the IRS announced this today also! She was joyful in her voice by telling me I had to wait until the end of Feb. or mid March! I should call back and let her have it over the phone! She was just a rude jackasss!!!
Hello Lisa, I have read the announcement on the IRS website and on the turbo tax blog regarding processing returns with form 8863. None of these announcements make any reference to the tax refunds that were already accepted prior to the IRS making their announcement. What happens to those returns? The announcement says they will begin accepting returns. What about the returns they took and have been in processing since Jan 24th. Do you think you can give me a straight answer? If you don’t have a straight answer, is turbo tax doing anything to find out this information? I know its not turbo tax’s fault this happened, but you guys should be proactive in getting answers for your customers. I know you must be tired of the backlash from your customers. Shows us you’re on our side and get us the answers we need. I noticed that TurboTax Bob, TurboTax VP has not been on the wire for quite some time. What’s the matter Bob the VP, too hot in the kitchen for you? The IRS obviously are not providing any information to us, the taxPAYER!
Paul if your return was received before this delay for education credits you will get your return 21 days after the irs received your return. so if your return was accepted before january 24 you will get your refund before they process on February 14 that date is for new filers that filed after the irs announced the delay. Reply
Is this 100% sure? Because my return was accepted by the IRS on Jan 25th. I was wondering if I would get mine before the 14th? Reply
Hi Misty and Tammy, I am hoping that it is true. From what I was told about us people whose returns were a part of the test phase the only thing they have to do on our return is 8863. The IRS has our returns (not turbotax) like many have been thinking. Also I do taxes and know several tax preparers in town who do volume unlike me and they told me that the programming error is fixed and that they are able to do returns with 8863 and 4562 because the IRS now is working on the other forms. I am going to keep checking mine each day.
Paul, I e filed on the 26th got an email from TT that mine filed . then another one that said it was pending. So what does this mean? Did they file it or not. Has it been sitting in limbo for a couple of weeks?
From what Bob said, you may want to chat with them, the test returns that were done early like mine had to go all the way to the “IRS has accepted your return this is nothing else you have to do” part. I got the email stating this. These returns are with the IRS and once they start processing 8863 our returns will be processed first that we accepted then they will do the others. Surprisinly there are allegdly 3,000,000 people that use Form 8863.
I will keep you up with what is going on. Once my status changes return received to return approved and the return sent. When I talked to my Uncle who is a CPA he said that it should move pretty fast after fixing the programming errors. It was the whole point of the IRS having a new system. Last year the IRS used both systems and had problems. This year they are only running the new system and other than 8863 and 4562 problem returns are processed earlier and refunds too but I do not see where because February 14 will be my 21st day.
Does anyone have any info as to when the 8863 filers will be processed as of late. I am still in pending status with TT. Paul S – did you get your money?? Reply
No I have not got my refund yet. Mine has been pending status since Jan. 24th. I was one of the early ones that was picked. I think that it is stupid that me along with the other test returns were all done, completed, except for this programming problem. On the IRS website it had Form 8863 return processed in mid-February and the others in late February or Early March. So now they go and on February 10th, Sunday, they are going to start processing returns with Form 4562 and then on February 14th processing 8863. So now I am even more ticked because they had Form 8863 listed first and when I called in the IRS said Form 8863 filers would be first and so did TT. So if we go with history start processing on 2/14 a Thursday then Monday the 18th is a holiday so we will all be lucky to see a refund before February 22nd. Now I know that my addition is really good and I come up with a total of 30 days so what happened to the 30 days. Also through here and calling Tax Act, Tax Slayer, and HR Block are sending in returns with Form 8863 in them and people are getting refunds and not the processing message. I was told on the 25th that mine was one of the test ones and find it hard to believe that all the test returns were done, completely processed and we are still playing the waiting game and being lied to. What does everybody think and have you heard anything about Tax Act, Tax Slayer, and HR Block processing returns with Form 8863 and these people getting their refunds? Reply
I filed with Tax Act and mine is also still pending. I filed Jan. 25 and I am still in the processing stage.
i chated with an h and r block rep and they told me this morning that the form 8863 will be processing today feb 7th Reply
Hi Tracy, That is not correct. All tax providers can not submit tax returns with form 8863 until 2/14. Please see the IRS announcement dated Friday 2/8 http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-To-Accept-Tax-Returns-with-Education-Credits,-Depreciation-Next-Week As soon as they are ready to accept those tax returns on 2/14, we will submit them to the IRS. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
Hi Lisa Greene-Lewis, I’ve been following this thread for a few days now. First, I want to start by saying that your patience is admirable,(thank you for doing your job) especially when dealing with the incompetent , irrational, angry, confused ,frustrated herd of people that have nothing better to do then point fingers when something goes awry in THEIR lives. I understand that everyone on this thread is frustrated. WE ALL NEED the money, but whining wont make it appear any faster. THIS IS NOT TURBO TAXES FAULT, I REPEAT, this has nothing to do with TURBO-TAX , they are merely a middle-man providing tax representation to anyone who CHOOSES to fie with them. For those reading this snidely with your chin-up, waiting eagerly to make a disrespectful comment, back. GROW UP!! I will not respond to negative comments and resort myself to such trivial , primitive dialogue. I do however have a question for you LISA ; Here’s my situation: I e-filed with TURBO-TAX on the 23rd and I was accepted on Jan. 25th , 2013, BEFORE TURBO-TAX knew of the Delay issued by the IRS on the ,28th. I Filed a Federal return claiming the “Hope Credit” which is now the American Opportunity credit. My Return was small, as I am a college student. But that is besides the point. Since I was accepted early; but the IRS issued the delay on the 28th, and wont be accepting form 8863 until FEB , 14th; does this mean that my refund will be delayed 21 days after the 14th, or 21 days after my initial acceptance date on the , 25th? Thank you in advance. I look forward to your response. Regards, American-Citizen , College-Student and Fellow Tax-payer
Hi, Thank you for your nice comment. Per the IRS, you should get your tax refund within 21 days after they accept your tax return http://www.irs.gov/Refunds/Where%27s-My-Refund-It%27s-Quick,-Easy,-and-Secure. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis
I know its not turbotax’s fault um just upset they respond back to me. I have tried and tired. My state was accepted but I forgot a 1099 form do I have to amend the state return please.. From my HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network
I talked to a lady at the IRS today and she said that the 21 days starts at January 30th because anything done before then was a test run.
I see TTLisa doesnt like the heat in the kitchen. Why have you not responded to my response? Just another TT adviser that has no clue!
I fIled 1/26/13 stIll nothIng! I already got my state back….If turbotax doesnt send It soon I wIll just got to h&r or taxact snd fIle wIthout educatIon credIts and amend later…I serIously doubt I wIll use them agaIn! smh Reply
Hi Amy, The IRS announced yesterday that they will be processing returns that have form 8863 on 2/14. You can read the announcement here http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-To-Accept-Tax-Returns-with-Education-Credits,-Depreciation-Next-Week Please understand that this is an industry wide issue and whatever tax provider used would not be able to submit tax returns with the education credit form 8863. Filing without the education credit and amending later is not a good alternative. The IRS will be processing form 8863 starting 2/14 so you can get your entire tax refund. If you file without it and amend, you have to go through the hassle of amending, you have to paper file an amendment, and it takes the IRS 8 – 12 weeks to process amended tax returns. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
I filed and recived an email stating my return had been accepted by the irs on 1/26 and then the email on the 28th stating that they would get around to it when the wanted to…. When I called turbo tax for information I could not get an American on the phone. With all of the delays being caused by updating a system to prevent fraud it would seem like a no brainier to not allow my personal information overseas to people who can not be prosecuted by the USA for identity fraud. It is to late for me to cx this year will be my last ever with turbo tax. A least when I walk into h&r block the “plumber” / tax advisor could go to jail if he steals my personal identity information. Reply
Hi Jarrod, All of our tax experts and support are local and are not overseas. Did you get an answer to your question? I’m happy to have someone answer your question. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
We filed with H&R Block on Jan. 30 and weren’t told about the delay until they called us on Feb 4. We tried to remove the form from our taxes, but the said the the IRS has our return on hold and there is nothing that we can do about it. Is there a way around this delay? Reply
Melony, unfortunately you too fell victim to the H&R Blockheads also. They don’t care about your return money, they only care about getting their fees sucked out of your return up-front and then let you twist in the wind with all these wild expected dates of Feb 28 to mid-March! Sorry Melony you are in the same camp as us sweetheart! Just have to sit this one out for a few weeks and stew over it. Reply
I am a student as well like many of you but getting upset with turbo tax is a little uncalled for i have had a great experience with using them and will continue to do so. But getting angry cause you need the money will not get you the answers if you payed attention to the news or irs and the fact that everything was delayed to begin with should have been a red flag that things will be delayed this year stop playing turbo ta and get mad at your goverment Reply
When I filed my taxes, I applied to get education credits and I did not qualify for any. Will this effect the date of my tax refund? Reply
Form 8863 most confusing thing ever to us new at this. I had read the posts on line in TT before I processed my return, and based on what people were saying about the delays, tried to delete my form that I had started. Evidentally TT system did not allow the form to be deleted once started because it now shows in my return. Did anyone else have this problem? Also, never could pinpoint exactly how to fill this information out on TT site, and evidentally I did not do correctly because I didn’t receive any type of credit from it. Do all result in some sort of credit when using this form? Will this hold the IRS has on fixing the form correct my return if I didn’t do it correctly? Reply
This really stinks, I pay all my tuition on my own, support myself WITHOUT any government assistance, pay all the taxes the Jack*** in the White House robs me of, but yet my catagory of taxes cannot be accepted yet! Why is it that people like me always come out the last in line? Oh thats right, because we have to wait til all the welfare, and unemployed get what they have coming from MY hard work and honesty! Reply
What does the POTUS have to do with any of this? This is why the IRS believes there is rampant fraud where education credits are concerned. You’d have to have the understanding of basic civics of a 3 year old to post what you’ve posted. Enjoy continued ignorance! Reply
You paid all that tuition and college fees, but yet you still spew ignorance and biased judgements. People on welfare? What do you know about welfare? People on welfare get welfare because they don’t work. You can’t file an income tax from welfare! The unemployed (smh)? The unemployed paid taxes just like you. There are unemployed people that go to school just like you and pay their own tuition, just like you. Are they to blame for the holdup in your taxes? Let’s be real here, the IRS is holding up everyone who has form 8863. Direct your anger at the IRS, not those on welfare and the unemployed. Reply
Im waiting on a 3065 Refund because of these credits. I wouldn’t have gotten a refund otherwise. So im happy for the credits but I really need the IRS to hurry up. I need to buy brake pads for my car, and I’m really looking forward to the shopping spree im wanting to go on. If they time it right I’ll receive my new Chase credit card the same week I get my refund. Then in March after everythings maxxed out and spent i file for bankruptcy. The longer I have to wait for the refund the longer i have to wait to file. I cant file first because then they take your refund and I wanna spend it. Reply