IRS Computer Rejecting Many Tax Forms; Processing Delayed

The new Internal Revenue Service computer system has refused to accept many income tax returns, meaning more people than usual may have to file duplicate returns this year, the IRS said today.

Spokesman Rod Young said it is impossible to determine how many returns were temporarily laid aside because of computer problems “but we’re certainly not talking about millions.”

This does not mean that those returns have been lost, Young said, but only that their processing has been delayed. Eventually, the IRS will work its way through the returns and notify taxpayers of the problem, he said.

But for a person wanting a refund as quickly as possible, Young said, filing a duplicate probably is the best solution.

Young said the IRS will attempt to send a refund within four to six weeks after receiving the duplicate return. If the IRS finds the original return was filed on time, it will pay 13% interest on the refund from April 15.

The IRS suggests that anyone who has waited 10 weeks for a refund and has not received it should call one of the telephone numbers set up to determine the status of refund checks (in Los Angeles, 617-3177). That call can provide information on whether the return is being processed.

If an additional six weeks passes and the refund has still not been received, Young said, a taxpayer should call again and might be advised at that time to file a duplicate return.