Struggling with delayed tax refunds? Here's how an Apex family found relief
Did you get your state tax refund yet? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. The Department of Revenue is still processing 50,000 refunds in North Carolina this year.
Despite doing everything right, including hiring a trusted accountant and filing their taxes early, one family in Apex found themselves waiting four months with no sign of their tax refund. Frustrated and seeking help, they asked WRAL 5 On Your Side for help.
Dave Pfeiffer and Lis Pfeiffer filed their tax return on March 10, expecting a timely refund. However, as weeks turned into months, they began questioning if something was amiss.
They asked everyone around them the same question: Did you get your state tax refund? The answer for most was affirmative, but they had yet to receive theirs.
To find out what was causing the delay, the Pfeiffers checked the status of their filing on the state Department of Revenue’s website. The refund process was divided into seven steps, from the return being received to the refund being issued.
They noticed that their return was stuck on step 5 for nearly all of May and June. Frustrated with the lack of progress, they contacted the Department of Revenue for an explanation.
“I probably called them five times. We were getting excuses like lack of resources and lots of fraud,” David Pfeiffer said.
“We asked is there someone in that department that OKs the checks that we can speak to? and she said, ‘Oh they don’t speak to people like you,’” Lis Pfeiffer said.
5 On Your Side asked the Department of Revenue about the delay.
Public Affairs Spokesperson Dia Harris explained that refunds can take longer as they review tax returns to detect identity theft and refund fraud. Filers may also be contacted for additional information.
However, the Pfeiffers claimed the department had never reached out to them about any such issues. They felt like they were getting nowhere after making multiple calls and receiving excuses about fraud and resource constraints.
Feeling stuck and out of options, the Pfeiffers decided to reach out to their state representative, Julie Von Haefen. Her office connected them with the taxpayer advocate at the Department of Revenue, who specializes in troubleshooting problems like theirs.
With this new connection, the Pfeiffers were given hope that their return would finally be processed by the end of July.
While the Department of Revenue cited identity theft and fraud reviews as possible causes, the Pfeiffers believed that the department might be facing staffing or organizational issues. Regardless, they were relieved to have their refund and put the long wait behind them.
True to their word, the Department of Revenue processed the Pfeiffers’ tax return by the end of July. They finally received their long-awaited refund.
If you find yourself dealing with a delayed tax refund, there are resources available to help.
The office of the taxpayer advocate at the Department of Revenue can assist in resolving issues and getting your refund processed. Additionally, the IRS offers a taxpayer advocate for those facing delays with their federal tax refund. Don’t hesitate to seek help and clarification if you’re experiencing similar challenges. Remember, you’re not alone in this process.
