When you call the IRS about a delayed refund, the most frustrating response you can receive is the standard phrase:

“Your return is under review. Please allow up to 120 days for processing.”

This vague answer leaves taxpayers stuck with no status updates and no clarity on what is actually causing the delay.

Fortunately, there is an escalation option:
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) — an independent division of the IRS created specifically to help taxpayers experiencing hardship or extreme delays.

This article explains exactly when TAS will help you, when they won’t, and how to contact them successfully.

What the 120-Day Review Actually Means

If the IRS gives you the 120-day line, your return is likely in one of these situations:

• flagged by automated fraud filters
• waiting for identity or wage verification
• stuck behind a manual processing queue
• held due to mismatch in reported income
• paused until additional documentation is received
• flagged for potential credit examination (EITC, CTC, ACTC, PTC)

During this time, standard IRS phone representatives cannot give you further details — their screens simply say “in review.”

That’s when TAS becomes crucial.

When You SHOULD Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service

TAS will assist you if you meet one of these conditions:

1. Economic Hardship

If the delayed refund is causing financial suffering, such as:

• inability to pay rent or mortgage
• inability to afford food, utilities, or medication
• extreme financial hardship due to refund delay

TAS takes hardship cases very seriously.

2. Repeated IRS Non-Response

If you:

• submitted documentation
• responded to IRS notices
• yet received no follow-up for weeks or months
• and WMR/transcripts show no movement

TAS can step in and request an internal activity update.

3. Wrongful Delay or Inaction

If:

• your case has exceeded normal processing
• IRS has given no specific reason for the delay
• your refund is stalled beyond the 120-day quoted timeframe

TAS has authority to request expedited processing.

4. Multiple Conflicting IRS Notices

Example:

• one notice says income mismatch
• another says identity verification
• another says wait for processing
• another says no action needed

TAS can triage the conflicting messages and force clarification.

When TAS Will NOT Help

TAS will likely not intervene if:

• your return has been delayed fewer than 21 days after acceptance
• you have not received any IRS notices
• you are simply “impatient”
• refund delay is due to PATH Act (before Feb 15 for EITC/ACTC)
• you refuse to provide requested documents

In short:
TAS helps when the system is failing you — not when the system is operating normally.

How to Contact TAS the RIGHT Way

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Have ready:

• copy of filed return
• IRS notices received
• transcript codes
• cycle date
• dates of IRS communications
• hardship proof if applicable

Step 2: Call the Direct TAS Line

877-777-4778

You can also request help online via the IRS website or local TAS office.

Step 3: Make a Strong Case

Do NOT say:
“My refund is late.”

Instead say:

“I am experiencing financial hardship due to refund delay and have received no resolution or request for additional information from the IRS.”

Use key phrasing:

• “economic hardship”
• “urgent necessity”
• “no response for over X days”
• “processing delay without explanation”

These words trigger eligibility.

TAS Authority: What They Can Actually Do

TAS can:

• internally escalate your return to an examiner
• demand a status review from IRS processing teams
• request documentation on your behalf
• override passive waiting queues
• push for refund release if delay is unjustified

They cannot:

• change tax law
• approve your refund independently
• bypass required verification steps
• guarantee an outcome

But — they CAN accelerate the process dramatically.

Real-World Example

Situation:
Taxpayer filed early, return delayed 78 days, given generic 120-day message.

After contacting TAS:

• examiner assigned
• wage verification completed
• hold code cleared
• refund approved within 11 days

TAS exists to break logjams like this.

If your refund is delayed due to a vague, unexplained 120-day review, and you are experiencing:

• financial hardship
• prolonged waiting with no updates
• a cycle of contradictory IRS notices

Then the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be your best option.

Many taxpayers wait in silence — but you don’t have to.