IRS: Expect smaller returns and delays this tax season

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Just over two weeks into tax season and many are already noticing a lot of changes.

Jeffrey Massey, of Massey And Associates, Inc. says families with children may not get the refund they expect.

“People may see their refund go down 1,000 to 15-hundred dollars,” Massey said.

Massey is referring to The Child Tax Credit.

He says the amount won’t be as much at tax time, because families have already received this money.

“They actually started distributing that tax credit throughout the year. They were actually receiving that money every month so that amount will be deducted from what they’ll get when they file in April,” Massey said.

While this only affects families, everyone may see a delay in their return.

At the end of the 2021 tax season, The IRS still had 35 million unprocessed returns.

IRS budget cuts and lack of staffing may cause delays as well.

Masse says there’s still ways to speed up the process.

“Do electronic filing, have your refund go direct deposit right into your bank account. That’s the quickest way for you to get your refund.”

The IRS says filers will receive their federal refund within 21 days of when they file Electronically, with direct deposit.

The deadline to file is April 18.