A “being processed” message tells you that the IRS has received a return, but it does not explain why a particular refund is delayed. In the News10NBC report, Greece, New York, resident Bonnie Fletcher said she had waited seven months for a $4,594 refund after mailing her return in late February. The available report does not establish the cause of her delay or whether the refund was eventually paid.
What the News10NBC report says—and what remains unknown
The report said Fletcher’s online refund status and calls to the IRS hotline returned the same message: “Your return has been received and it’s currently being processed.” It also said News10NBC had contacted the IRS but had not received a response. These are details reported about Fletcher’s case, not an independently confirmed explanation of it.
Fletcher reportedly planned to use the refund toward medical bills, including a procedure not covered by insurance, and also faced an unexpected veterinary bill for her cat. She described the financial impact as “Quite a bit. Quite a bit. It’s very frustrating.” The report does not show that any of these circumstances caused the IRS delay.
The report quoted Barbara Heggie, identified as managing attorney of Empire Justice Center’s Tax Advocacy Program, saying that when a return has a problem or hold, it may need human review, and that the IRS has fewer staff than it once did. It also mentioned an incorrect spelling or bank-account number as possible contributors to delay. Neither staffing nor an error is established as the reason Fletcher’s refund was held.
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What “being processed” means
The IRS refund tool reports stages rather than necessarily providing a detailed case explanation. The IRS describes three stages—received, approved and sent—and says the tool updates daily. A return that remains at “received” or “being processed” has not yet reached the approved or sent stage in the tracker; that status alone does not identify whether the return needs correction, is under review or is delayed for another reason. IRS: When Will I Get My Refund?
Refund delays can have different causes. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) lists reviews, missing prior-year returns and offsets among reasons a refund may be held. If the IRS needs information, it may send a notice. Do not infer a specific cause from a generic status message: check for IRS mail and follow the directions in any notice. TAS: Held or Stopped Refunds
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When to check and when to contact the IRS
The familiar expectation that most refunds arrive within 21 days is not a guarantee, and the timing guidance differs for paper and electronically filed returns. TAS says paper filers can check online four weeks after mailing. The IRS says a representative can research a refund after more than six weeks for a mailed return, after 21 days for an e-filed return, or sooner if the refund tracker directs the taxpayer to call. TAS: Locating a Refund · IRS: When Will I Get My Refund?
- Check an official status channel. Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool, IRS2Go or the IRS refund hotline. Have a copy of the filed return available. TAS says the tool uses the taxpayer’s identity information, filing status, exact refund amount and tax year to locate the refund. TAS: I Don’t Have My Refund
- Follow the tracker’s instructions. If it says to contact the IRS, use the method and timing it provides. Otherwise, use the IRS contact thresholds above to determine when a representative can research the refund.
- Read and answer IRS notices promptly. If a notice asks for documents or other information, respond as directed. Call the number on the notice if you have questions about what it requests. TAS: Held or Stopped Refunds
Where to turn if the delay is unresolved
For an account-specific inquiry, start with the IRS or the contact details on an IRS notice. If ordinary IRS channels have not resolved the problem and the delay is causing financial difficulty, TAS may be able to help. Its criteria also include certain unresolved problems involving IRS systems, processes or procedures; assistance is free for taxpayers whose cases TAS accepts. Call TAS at 877-777-4778 or review its guidance on refund problems. TAS: I Don’t Have My Refund
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteLow Income Taxpayer Clinics are a separate resource for taxpayers who meet their income and case criteria. TAS’s guidance explains how to find one. Neither contacting TAS nor using a clinic guarantees a particular outcome or a faster payment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How common are late refunds?
In its 2026 annual-report announcement, the National Taxpayer Advocate said about 3.6 million taxpayers received refunds beyond normal processing times in 2025. Among those late refunds, average waits were seven weeks for e-filers and 14 weeks for paper filers. The announcement also said about 11 million individual returns were filed on paper in 2025. Those system-wide, backward-looking figures illustrate that paper refunds can take longer on average; they do not explain Fletcher’s seven-month wait or predict when an individual refund will arrive.
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