You filed your amended payroll tax returns using Form 941 X and now you are waiting for your Employee Retention Credit refund. months turned into years and still no check. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Across the country, hundreds of thousands of business owners are waiting for their ERC refunds. The IRS is facing a massive backlog, and the average age of claims in their inventory is 548 days!
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This guide explains how to check your ERC refund status, what to expect when you contact the IRS, and what steps you can take if your refund seems lost in the system. checks have already been mailed yet! The good news is there is a solution.

Why ERC Refunds Are Taking So Long

The Employee Retention Credit was one of the most widely used relief programs for employers during the pandemic, which means the IRS received millions of amended returns. Every one of those filings must be reviewed manually.

To prevent fraud, the IRS added several verification steps that slow the process. These reviews apply even to legitimate claims.

Another reason for the backlog is that ERC refunds are claimed on Form 941 X, not through the regular income-tax system. The IRS “Where’s My Refund” tool only applies to individual income-tax returns and cannot check ERC refund status or ERC credit status.

At this point, the only way to verify your ERC refund is to contact the IRS directly or work with a professional who can access the IRS transcript system on your behalf.

How to Check Your ERC Refund Status with the IRS

The IRS does not provide an online tool for business refund checks. The best option is to call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line.

The Correct IRS ERC Refund Status Phone Number

Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933.
The line is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

If you are outside the United States, call 267-941-1000.

Before calling, gather the following information:

• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Business name and address as filed with the IRS
• The specific quarters you filed for, such as Q2 2020 or Q1 2021
• The dates you mailed/ submitted Form 941 X
• What tax forms you file with the IRS
• Any letters or notices the IRS has sent about your ERC claim

Hold times are often long, and IRS agents can provide only limited updates about your ERC tax credit status.

What IRS Responses Usually Mean

When you speak with an IRS representative, they may use certain terms to describe your case. Here is what those responses often mean and what you can do next.

Each Form 941 X you filed is processed separately, so refunds for different quarters may arrive at different times.

What to Do If the IRS Says Your Check Was Mailed but Never Arrived

If the IRS confirms your ERC check was issued but you never received it, you can request a refund trace. This begins with Form 3911, which authorizes the IRS to locate the payment.
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If the IRS confirms the check was not cashed, it can cancel the original and issue a replacement. Refund traces often take several months, but this is the required process for lost checks.

Why Some Refunds Take Even Longer

Even when everything on your filing is correct, certain factors can slow your refund further.

• The claim contained small errors or incomplete information
• The refund amount was unusually large and triggered an extra review
• The claim was filed after September 2023 and is subject to the new ERC processing moratorium, that has since been lifted
• The IRS selected the claim for additional compliance screening

These steps protect taxpayers from fraud, but they also extend the waiting period for legitimate claims.

What to Do If You Are Still Stuck

If you have waited many months with no progress:

• Review your Form 941 X for accuracy
• Confirm your EIN and mailing address are correct
• Make sure the IRS has record of the forms in their inventory
• Keep copies of certified mailing or submission confirmations
• Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service if you have experienced an undue hardship

You can also withdraw an ERC claim under certain conditions if it has not been paid and you believe it was filed incorrectly. The IRS provides full instructions on its website.

How One Eagle Advisory Can Help

At One Eagle Advisory, we help business owners understand what is happening with their ERC claims. CPA’s and Tax Attorneys communicate with IRS business channels and can interpret the information you receive about your ERC refund status.

Understand what the IRS responses and codes mean

Identify why your refund may be delayed

Assist with preparing and submitting a refund trace if your check never arrived

Review your filings to ensure they were completed properly

Organize your records and correspondence for future reference

If you need clear information about your ERC refund or guidance on next steps,
‍call us at 971-231-2400 for a free review.