Talk about slow as molasses, IRS can drag its feet with the best of 'em. I sent a first-time homebuyer credit off back in November and they're still holding it up. Contacted IRS a couple of times -- same routine from both reps "We're working on it" -- "16 weeks is the time frame we have established to process them; call back then."
I've sent off half a dozen of these with no problem; one even had an address glitch -- I included a small memo and it got processed anyway in a month with no hassle. This lady's papers were picture-perfect and why hers got pulled from the mainstream, I haven't a clue. She called and just got an IRS letter asking for more stuff, to wit:
Copies of:
1. The HUD statement complete with all signatures (we sent exactly that with the original return even though they weren't required at the time).
2. One of her bank statements.
3. Her monthly mortgage payment statement.
4. Her driver's license.
5. Something else she didn't have and so far out I can't even remember what it was (probably her favorite ice cream flavor).
Apparently they're just pulling these at random. I read somewhere they had received 70K bogus returns before they tightened up on documentation to stop the bleeding. IRS must have been greatly surprised and shocked to learn that people who are quite willing to rob a 7-11 for less than $100 would also be willing to fill out a half-sheet form, tell a lie, and have $8,000 cash mailed to them without dodging bullets.
I've sent off half a dozen of these with no problem; one even had an address glitch -- I included a small memo and it got processed anyway in a month with no hassle. This lady's papers were picture-perfect and why hers got pulled from the mainstream, I haven't a clue. She called and just got an IRS letter asking for more stuff, to wit:
Copies of:
1. The HUD statement complete with all signatures (we sent exactly that with the original return even though they weren't required at the time).
2. One of her bank statements.
3. Her monthly mortgage payment statement.
4. Her driver's license.
5. Something else she didn't have and so far out I can't even remember what it was (probably her favorite ice cream flavor).
Apparently they're just pulling these at random. I read somewhere they had received 70K bogus returns before they tightened up on documentation to stop the bleeding. IRS must have been greatly surprised and shocked to learn that people who are quite willing to rob a 7-11 for less than $100 would also be willing to fill out a half-sheet form, tell a lie, and have $8,000 cash mailed to them without dodging bullets.
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