Congresswoman Tenney Presses IRS for Answers Regarding Delays in Processing Tax Refunds

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today sent a letter to Commissioner Charles P. Rettig of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) pressing for answers regarding widespread delays in the processing of 2021 tax returns.

Countless Americans are struggling to make ends meet, and many are relying in part on their annual tax refund to simply get by. Unfortunately, the IRS is experiencing extreme delays in the processing of returns and disbursement of refunds, while at the same time leaving filers without any information regarding the status of their transactions. Older Americans filing traditional paper tax returns are experiencing even greater delays, which is entirely unacceptable.

“Many New Yorkers rely on their tax refund to make ends meet in these challenging times of soaring costs and skyrocketing inflation” said Tenney. “Sadly, too many of the constituents I represent have been left wondering when they will receive their refund or whether they may even owe the government any extra taxes. I am continuing to advocate for them in Washington and working to make sure government services work better for the American people.”

In the letter, Tenney called on the IRS to better allocate its resources to enhance the efficiency and transparency of its services. Taxpayers of all ages have waited far too long to receive refunds that are rightfully theirs, and this problem must be resolved with expedience.

The text of the letter is available here or below.

Dear Commissioner Rettig,

In recent weeks, numerous seniors, families, and individuals from New York's 22nd Congressional District have contacted my office regarding delays from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in processing their 2021 paper tax returns and issuing refunds. Many rely on their hard-earned money to make ends meet in these challenging times of soaring costs and skyrocketing inflation. Others have been left wondering whether they will owe the federal government any extra taxes. Regardless, they are all in the same position of having to wait on answers from your agency, which never seem to come.

The average tax refund amounts to a month and a half of pay, and my constituents, along with many others across our country, rely on the money they receive back from their tax refunds to cover necessities, pay off debt, and keep their families afloat. I understand the unique challenges your agency faced as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet I note there is a certain irony in that returns with payments due are not delayed and incoming checks are cashed promptly. At this point, the federal government must do better not only to process outstanding returns and to deliver refunds, but also to ensure individuals are apprised of the status of their transactions. For example, the "Where's My Refund?" and the "Get My Payment" features of the website have not worked at all for most of my constituents.

It also has come to my attention that because many seniors and individuals on Social Security file traditional paper returns, they are impacted disproportionately by these delays. The six to seven months they are having to wait is entirely unreasonable. Our senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes, suffer the most during these inflationary times, the last thing they need now is the added stress of not knowing whether they will be able to put food on the table or afford their life-saving prescriptions.

The IRS must make better use of its resources to serve our communities adequately. Our seniors, families, and taxpaying citizens have waited far too long for money that is rightfully theirs. I look forward to your prompt resolution of these outstanding cases, and I look forward to hearing any updates you may have for me as this situation continues to evolve.

Sincerely,

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