The IRS Might Be Delaying Your Child Tax Credit: Refunds Will Be Really Late This Year

Posted by Zachary 5 Min Read March 2, 2025
The IRS Might Be Delaying Your Child Tax Credit Refunds Will Be Really Late This Year

If you’re waiting for your Child Tax Credit money like it’s the last train of the night. Hold on, because the IRS is slower than the town’s WiFi. It turns out that this year they decided to scrutinize the statements that request the tax credit (CTC) and its enhanced version (ACTC). What was the result? Refunds are like floating in limbo.

Here’s the thing: for years, the IRS has had a bad habit of delaying refunds in order to catch fraud. However, by 2024, the situation appears to be even worse.

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With old systems, scarce staff, and procedures that appear to be a labyrinth, families who need that money to pay for basic necessities (hello, inflation) are up to their necks in worry. And the credit is substantial: up to $2,000 per child.

IRS entanglements? What is happening with your money

First, forget about “show up early and get paid fast.” If your return includes the ACTC or EITC (the low-income credit), the IRS will not release any funds before February 15. What’s the excuse? Make sure there are no shenanigans.

But there’s more: if you enter a Social Security number incorrectly, forget to sign, or the system detects something strange (such as your 3-year-old son posing as CEO of a company), your return will be held up in “manual reviews.” Translation: months of wait. And don’t even think of calling! The IRS lines are busier than the subway during rush hour.

Tips so that the IRS doesn’t make you lose your mind

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All is not lost. If you want your refund to arrive in one day (even if it’s in Narnia), follow these guidelines:

If you want your refund to arrive in one day (even if it’s in Narnia), follow these guidelines:

  • Play it safe with the requirements: Your child must be under 17, live with you for more than half a year and not earn alone as an influencer. If you are single and earn more than $200,000 (or $400,000 for those filing as a couple), the credit is reduced. And the child’s Social Security history must be completely impeccable.
  • No paper, everything digital: Filing on paper is like sending a letter by carrier pigeon, which means it can get lost along the way. Use programs like TurboTax or go to an accountant. And choose direct deposit: this way you avoid the check being lost in the mail or your bank charging a fee for cashing it.
The IRS Might Be Delaying Your Child Tax Credit: Refunds Will Be Really Late This Year
Source (Google.com)

The ACTC is the problematic brother

This extra credit (which gives you up to $1,600 back) is great, but it comes with the fine print: If you ask for it, your refund won’t go out until after February 15.

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The “Where’s My Refund?” tool IRS is your new best friend. But be careful: if you use it more than three times a day, you will become paranoid. Better check once in the morning and once at night… like looking at your ex’s cell phone.

If 21 days have passed since your return was accepted and you don’t see a shadow of the money, do this:

  • Check if there were errors (did you enter your address correctly? Is the deposit to your account?).
  • If everything is correct, call the IRS… but be prepared to wait in line for 40 minutes listening to elevator music.
  • If you suspect identity theft, activate a fraud alert. Never underestimate hackers.

In the meantime, resist the temptation to spend the refund before you have it, because several things can happen that could cause the money to not come at all.

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