ou contacted the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).
You submitted your documentation.
You explained your delay, your hardship, and your IRS dead-end.
Now the question is:
How long does it take for TAS to actually take action?
Here’s the real timeline — not the vague answer you’ll get on the phone.
The TAS Process: From Contact to Resolution
Phase 1 — TAS Intake Screening (2–5 business days)
When you first call TAS, your case is:
- received
- logged
- classified
- assigned an intake officer
At this stage they determine:
- Is this economic hardship?
- Is the refund delay unreasonable?
- Has the IRS failed to respond?
- Does TAS have jurisdiction?
You may be asked for supporting documents — this is normal.
Phase 2 — Case Acceptance & Advocate Assignment (5–14 business days)
If approved, your case is accepted and assigned to:
- a specific case advocate
- in a specific geographic region
- with access to IRS internal files
This advocate becomes your point of contact.
You now have a person — not a phone tree.
Phase 3 — Internal IRS Contact & Information Demand (7–21 days)
The case advocate will:
- contact internal IRS processing teams
- request case notes
- request status files
- request explanation of hold codes
- request clarification on next steps
During this time, transcript activity MAY begin to change.
Common transcript updates include:
- TC 971 — Notice issued or action pending
- TC 570 — Hold in place
- followed by
- TC 571 — Hold lifted
or - TC 572 — Additional adjustment
This is where progress begins.
Phase 4 — IRS Response or Action Order (10–30 days)
This varies by reason for delay:
If it’s an ID verification issue
Your advocate requests documentation review.
If it’s an employer wage-match issue
Your advocate requests SSA or employer confirmation.
If it’s a fraud-filter false positive
Your advocate pushes to clear the automated hold.
If it’s an offset question
Your advocate confirms the correct refund amount.
If it’s a clerical delay
Your advocate requests accelerated processing.
Phase 5 — Refund Release (varies)
Once the issue is resolved:
Transcript shows TC 571 or TC 846
and then:
Refund Issued
Refund is sent either:
- by direct deposit (fastest)
- or as a paper check (slowest)
Total TAS Timeline in Real-World terms
Here’s what most taxpayers experience:
- Minimum time: 14–21 days
- Normal time: 30–45 days
- Complicated cases: 60–90 days
- Identity-related cases: 90–120+ days
TAS speeds things up — but it does not bypass required IRS checks.
What Speeds Up Your TAS Case
You’ll see faster action if:
- you provide all documentation immediately
- you respond same-day to TAS calls
- you have clear evidence of hardship
- your refund delay is already long
- IRS ignored your prior submissions
What Slows Down Your TAS Case
Common delays occur when:
- you don’t return calls
- you delay sending documents
- your identity proof is incomplete
- your employer hasn’t verified W-2 data
- IRS fraud-filters require deep review
Communication Matters: Your Advocate Is Your Ally
Your TAS advocate is not IRS enforcement.
Your advocate is not an auditor.
Your advocate is not suspicious of you.
They are:
your internal representative inside the IRS system.
Treat them as a partner.
Provide documentation quickly.
Keep communication professional and responsive.
Real Example Timeline
Taxpayer:
Refund delayed 83 days.
TAS contacted:
March 10
Assigned advocate: March 16
IRS contacted internally: March 19
TC 571 posted: April 3
TC 846 refund issued: April 6
Deposit received: April 9
Total turnaround: 30 days
This is a realistic example.
When the IRS traps your refund behind a 120-day review or an unjustified hold, TAS is your best path forward.
But TAS does not magically fix your refund overnight.
Realistic expectations:
- 2–5 days for intake
- 5–14 days for case assignment
- 2–4 weeks for IRS response
- up to several months for complex cases
However—
TAS gives you something you didn’t have before:
- a direct contact
- real answers
- transparency
- accountability
- movement
Instead of waiting in silence, you have traction.
