IRS refund delay brings frustration to Omaha metro taxpayers

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Shaken by the condition of their deck, Tim and Kelly Briggs needed the IRS to step it up.

"The income tax refund money will go toward fixing the structural issues on the our deck," Kelly said.

But the Briggs' got an IRS notice about their tax filing.

"Under review," Tim said. "Well, it's been under review for over a year."

Not long after 6 News' interview with the Briggs' about their frustration over the long delay, they received notice from the IRS their refund had finally been approved and then a few weeks later a check in the mail from the government for $6,200 which includes interest.

The Briggs' can plan a deck project with their tax money.

"Happy to get it, it took a year to get it," Kelly said.

"The money is in the bank and we'll get an estimate on getting our deck fixed," Tim said.

The story of the Briggs refund delay hit home for another taxpayer.

Charles Pond, who lives in Council Bluffs, says he got notice his federal filing is under review time and again.

"They tell you to wait 60 days and then every three months they send you a paper saying the same thing," Charles said.

He says he can't get the IRS to tell him what he did wrong filing himself for the first time using an online tax service.

"Very frustrating," Charles said. "All I need is an answer. If they could tell me what's wrong I could fix it. But instead we're going on eight months of no communication, no reasoning."

And he has plans for that more than $7,000 refund he's waiting on.

"Oh yeah I can get the car I've been trying to save up for," Charles said.

Instead his patience is driven by hope that if the Briggs family finally received their refund after a 6 News story maybe airing his frustration will eventually have the same result.

The IRS acknowledged it received 6 News' questions about the refund delay, but can't provide answers due to taxpayer privacy laws. The agency suggests anyone who can't resolve tax issues with the IRS can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Staff in the office of Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst have been contacted about the IRS delay in the refund owed to Charles Pond.