FAQ

Frequently Asked ERC Questions

Get answers to commonly asked questions related to your pending ERC claim. Don’t see the answer to your question? Feel free to reach out via the button below.

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Why haven’t I received my check(s)?

You may not have received your refund check for a couple different reasons. If you haven’t received your check, consider the following:

The IRS may not have your correct mailing address. If you have changed your address since filing for the ERC, please submit form 8822-B directly to the IRS. Instructions on where to send the form are included on the form. Once completed, kindly email a copy to us at customeraccounts@innovationrefunds.com so we can keep our records current.
Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service – visit our FAQ section on contacting the TAS for more information.
Allow additional processing time – the IRS can sometimes take longer than expected to issue checks.

How can I get assistance with receiving my check from the IRS?

You can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service for assistance in receiving your check – please send us the case number at customeraccounts@innovationrefunds.com once that is filed so we can keep our records current.

TAS contact information:

Phone: 1-877-777-4778 (M-F, 7 AM – 7 PM local time)
Online: www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov (Form 911)
Local Office Lookup: https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/#FindlocalTAS

When contacting TAS, have ready:

Business EIN
ERC claim tax period(s)
Claim amount
Filing date

For your convenience, we have provided below frequently asked questions regarding TAS.

What is the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)?
TAS is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve IRS-related issues, including ERC payment delays.
Will contacting TAS guarantee faster payment?
No, but some businesses have reported receiving payments sooner after TAS involvement.
Do I need to pay TAS for their services?
No, TAS services are free of charge.
Will working with TAS affect my approved claim amount?
No, TAS cannot change your approved claim amount. They only help facilitate communication with the IRS.
What if TAS says they can’t help with my case?
Continue working with your tax professional.

Where’s my refund? When can I expect checks from the IRS?

We appreciate your continued patience. Unfortunately, we have no control over the IRS and are unable to give you a timeframe in which you might receive your expected Employee Retention Credit refund. We do know the IRS is processing claims, and many of our customers are receiving checks. If you believe there may be an issue with your claim, we encourage you to reach out to an IRS tax advocate. You can find contact information and/or look up a Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) office near you via the IRS website: http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/. If you do receive a check, please send us a copy at customeraccounts@innovationrefunds.com.

We strongly encourage you to sign up for tax monitoring. Please click the following link to enroll: https://innovationrefunds.app.tax.

What is the rationale behind some individuals receiving their refunds while others have not?

There are multiple factors that may influence the processing timeline. In addition to the sheer volume of applications that the IRS received, the complexity of evaluating eligibility for the ERC requires a detailed and thorough review to confirm eligibility and the accuracy of the claimed amounts.

Furthermore, the IRS’s implemented heightened anti-fraud measures for the ERC that involves detailed scrutiny to deter and detect fraudulent activity. These measures are essential for maintaining the integrity of ERC program and can naturally extend processing time.

Is the IRS still processing ERC claims?

Yes, the IRS is actively processing Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims. Customers have been receiving their refunds since January 2024, following the September 2023 moratorium.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official IRS website or consult with your tax preparer, as they will provide guidance specific to your situation.

I got this IRS letter – what does it mean? What do I do with it?

If you receive an IRS letter about the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), here are the steps you can follow:

Understand the Letter: Take the time to read the letter carefully. The IRS will typically explain the reason for the notice, what they may need from you, or if there are any changes to your ERC claim.
Contact Your Independent Tax Preparer: Since Innovation Refunds referred you to an independent tax preparer who calculated and filed your ERC claim, they will be the most knowledgeable about your specific case. They are experienced in dealing with ERC claims and can provide insight into any IRS correspondence regarding your circumstances.
Take Timely Action: It’s important to respond to all IRS letters by the date specified in the correspondence. Failure to do so may result in delays or additional complications.
Contact Innovation Refunds If Necessary: If for any reason you’re unable to remember who your independent tax preparer is or how to get in touch with them, you can reach out to Innovation Refunds. We will assist in reconnecting with your independent tax preparer.

Remember, receiving a letter from the IRS does not automatically mean something is wrong. It could be a routine inquiry or request for additional information. With prompt attention and professional guidance from your independent tax preparer, you can confidently address the IRS notice.

My CPA is asking for backup information. What should I do?

If your CPA is requesting backup information regarding your Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claim, here’s what you can do:

Contact Your Independent Tax Preparer: The first step is to reach out to the independent tax preparer who prepared your ERC application. They should have the information your CPA is requesting.
Check Your Records: If you have copies of the documents you provided for the ERC claim, organize them so they are readily available for your CPA to review. This could include payroll reports, financial statements, employee headcount records, and any correspondence with the IRS relevant to the ERC claim.
Get in Touch with Us: Please contact us if you no longer have the contact information for your independent tax preparer.

Remember, it’s crucial to keep detailed records to substantiate your ERC claim.

Why is my check less than the estimated amount?

We understand that the IRS sent you an ERC refund check in an amount less than you anticipated. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you in resolving this matter, however, below are some of the reasons we have seen with other customers that have received less than expected ERC benefits:

Difference due to back taxes, and/or other penalties to which the IRS applied a portion of your ERC benefit to.
IRS processing clerical error by improperly omitting a portion of the 941x that was submitted or by entering incorrect amounts.
Miss-typing the check amount to be issued.
Error in processing the 941X with either the wrong quarter or EIN.

If you would like to know the reason the IRS did not process the full amount of your ERC benefit, or would like to resolve the issue, please contact the IRS directly at 800-829-4933, select your preferred language, then option 3 for payroll & 941s.

Why is my check more than the estimated amount?

The IRS pays interest on your ERC claim. The interest amount should be reflected in the bottom middle part of your check. If you received an overpayment statement letter from the IRS, it will provide details about the payment you received.

I did not get a check, why am I being invoiced?

There are a few reasons you may be receiving an invoice even though you did not receive a check from the IRS. In some instances, we receive notification that a customer’s check has been mailed by the IRS. We send an invoice shortly thereafter. In this case, it is possible you will receive the invoice prior to receiving the check.

In other instances, usually when a customer is not in communication with us and has not signed up for tax monitoring, we send invoices based on an estimate of when the IRS should have issued a check to the customer. In this case, it is possible that the ERC was processed, the check was mailed, and it never arrived. It is also possible there was an unauthorized signor, the customer owed back-taxes and the ERC refund was applied to those back-taxes, or there is some other issue. In any of these cases, we ask that you please reach out to the IRS or the Taxpayer Advocate Service regarding the status of your ERC refund.

Tax Monitoring FAQs

What is tax monitoring and why should I sign up?

Tax monitoring is a third-party service that allows us to track the status of your tax filings with the IRS on your behalf. This service provides visibility into the processing of your submissions, including when forms are received by the IRS and when checks are scheduled to be mailed. Without monitoring, we cannot track the specific progress of your forms through the IRS system or receive updates on when to expect your refund check.

Please click the following link to enroll: https://innovationrefunds.app.tax

Why am I being asked for personal information like my Social Security number?

We’ve transitioned to a new monitoring platform, Tax Status, which provides enhanced visibility into your ERC claim. To comply with updated IRS identity verification protocols (similar to Real ID and airport security upgrades), some personal details – like a government-issued ID and identity verification – are now required to protect your account.

I tried uploading my documents, but nothing seems to happen. Is something wrong?

In line with new IRS guidelines (effective August 2024), additional documentation is now required for digital consent, including:

A government-issued ID
A liveness check (selfie to confirm identity)
Your business EIN or documentation verifying your entity

If your upload didn’t go through, please try again using the secure link in this email. These new steps are in place to ensure best-in-class security and compliance.

Do you already have my information to help me fill this out?

Yes! If you were previously enrolled in tax monitoring, the system will auto-fill much of your information after you provide the following:

First Name
Last Name
Email
Phone Number
Company Name

Need help completing the form? Our support team is here to assist you – just give us a call or email, and we’ll walk you through it.

Is there a fee to sign up?

No! Tax monitoring is provided as a complimentary service at no additional cost to you. Innovation Refunds pays for this service on your behalf.