IRS just told me it's double-checking EVERYONE's return if the refund exceeds $2500.00

The Infernal Revenue Service ^ | Feb 17, 2005 | Self

[Salgak]

This morning, I checked my bank account online, to see exactly what my pay was this week (I'm hourly, so it varies), and to my very pleasant surprise, my refund from the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Taxation was there as well. . .3 days after they accepted my electronically-filed return.

So I **THEN** hit the IRS Website, link above, to check status on my Federal Refund. And got an interesting response: it told me to CALL the IRS, give a specific extension, and reference a certain code-number. I did so.

The IRS person who eventually answered (~5 minutes on hold) told me, after verifying who I was, etc., that the Internal Revenue Service is re-checking EVERY Federal Tax Return with a refund of over $2500.00 with their "error-check" department, and because of this (it was in and out in a day. . .), my refund is delayed a full week, until sometime in early March. . .

Don't mean to be paranoid. . .but doesn't it seem odd, that EVERY return over a certain thresh-hold is checked ? And especially now, early in the season, when the electronic filers do it: their software has ALREADY checked it for math errors, etc. . .

Or is this just a means for Uncle to hang on to our refunds just a little bit longer??? After all, the longer they have the funds, the more they can do with them. . . Or make just a little more money interest off of it. . Comments, observations, etc ???

[beezdotcom]

Now why would they hassle their bread and butter. Folks who have that large a refund give Uncle Sam an interest free loan. Seems they'd show some appreciation.

Exactly. If they want to target people, they should be targeting the people who OWE more than a certain amount. but please don't do it to me, who always tries to have to stroke a small check every year, instead of letting them keep my money.

[Sgt_Schultze]

Dont file electronically, it simplifies their job.

My thoughts exactly. I refuse to file an electronic return - even knowing that any refund I might be due will be delayed. I think I stand a better chance that my documents will be trashed rather than archived. The less info my uncle has, the better I feel.

[eeeee_pluribus_unum]

Please, please, please, redo your W-4. Divide your Federal tax bill for last year by 12 (or 26 if you are paid biweekly.) That should be about what you owe each month. Whether it's the deduction for kids or the mortgage interest or whatever it is probably going to be about the same this year as last. Don't try to use the Personal Allowances Worksheet on the W-4 - It just doesn't do the job. Simply put in your correct amount on line 6. Trust me, $200 more a month in your pocket will feel good - right now!

[Salgak]

I usually do. But I changed jobs in October, and ran up some TRULY hideous amounts of unexpected overtime, not just time-and-a-half, but about 2 weeks' worth of double-time and 4 days' worth of TRIPLE time. . .