Can I file a hardship with the IRS to get my refund?
Asked by: Prof. Connor Hudson III | Last update: November 13, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (22 votes)
IRS Hardship Refund Request – Form 8944 This request is typically submitted by individuals who are facing significant financial hardship and are struggling to meet their basic living expenses due to the IRS withholding funds.
What is a hardship to get a tax refund?
Neither TAS, nor the IRS, can release any part of your refund before that date, even if you're experiencing a financial hardship. If you are facing a hardship, like a financial hardship (can't buy medicine, can't pay mortgage or rent and received an eviction notice, can't pay utilities and got a shut off notice, etc.)
Who qualifies for the IRS hardship program?
Income and necessary living expenses: The IRS compares your income against allowable living expenses, which include housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation and healthcare. If your income barely covers or falls short of these basic expenses, you may qualify for hardship status.
How do I request a hardship refund?
There is no specific form used to request an OBR. If you are experiencing a financial hardship and want to request an OBR, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) before you file your tax return with the IRS. Note: You must file your tax return with the IRS.
How do I prove a hardship to the IRS?
To prove your tax hardship to the IRS, you will need to submit information about your financial situation to the federal government in a hardship request. This is done using Form 433A/433F (for individuals or self-employed) or Form 433B (for qualifying corporations or partnerships).
Former IRS Agent Reveals How To Get Your Refund Back From IRS Should U B Going through a Hardship
What qualifies as financial hardship?
The IRS may agree that you have a financial hardship (economic hardship) if you can show that you cannot pay or can barely pay your basic living expenses.
Can a tax advocate help me get my refund?
TAS can assist with refund issues after the IRS published processing timeframe has passed. If that date has passed and you are experiencing a hardship, contact TAS office to see what options you have.
How do you get approved for a hardship?
How Do I Get Approved for a Hardship Loan? To get a hardship loan, you'll typically have to prove that you are in financial difficulty. You'll also have to meet the lender's specific requirements, which can include a credit score over a certain number.
How to get IRS to release refund?
You may call us toll-free at 800-829-1040, M - F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Generally, if the financial institution recovers the funds and returns them to the IRS, the IRS will send a paper refund check to your last known address on file with the IRS.
Who qualifies for the IRS forgiveness program?
The IRS ultimately determines whether you qualify for debt forgiveness. However, the agency generally considers taxpayers who meet these criteria: a total tax debt balance of $50,000 or less, and a total income below $100,000 for individuals (or $200,000 for married couples). Need to talk to a tax relief specialist?
What is the IRS hardship rule?
The amount of a hardship distribution must be limited to the amount necessary to satisfy the need. This rule is satisfied if: The distribution is limited to the amount needed to cover the immediate and heavy financial need, and. The employee couldn't reasonably obtain the funds from another source.
How can I get money if I'm struggling?
- Food assistance. ...
- Unemployment benefits. ...
- Welfare benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ...
- Emergency housing assistance. ...
- Rental assistance. ...
- Help with utility bills. ...
- Government home repair assistance programs.
What is the IRS 6 year rule?
6 years - If you don't report income that you should have reported, and it's more than 25% of the gross income shown on the return, or it's attributable to foreign financial assets and is more than $5,000, the time to assess tax is 6 years from the date you filed the return.
How do I apply for financial hardship with the IRS?
Qualification Requirements For IRS Hardship Relief
Taxpayers must provide documentation and evidence supporting their financial situation. Specified taxpayers can complete Form 8944 to complete their waiver request.
What do I do if the IRS won't give me my refund?
If you never received your tax refund
If you were expecting a federal tax refund and did not receive it, check the IRS Where's My Refund page. You will need to enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.
Is there a way to borrow against your tax refund?
If your application is approved, a tax refund advance loan (sometimes called a tax return advance or tax refund anticipation loan) is a great way to potentially get money and not have to worry about the time it takes to wait on your anticipated tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service.
What is Form 843 claim for refund?
If you have paid penalties that the IRS charged you, you can use IRS Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement to request abatement and a refund. This form can be used to request abatement for penalties associated with the following types of taxes: income, estate, gift, employment and excise.
What is the surprise refund from the IRS?
The IRS announced the special step after reviewing internal data showing many eligible taxpayers who filed a return but did not claim the credit. The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable credit for individuals who did not receive one or more Economic Impact Payments (EIP), also known as stimulus payments.
How to apply for IRS fresh start?
If you don't want an online enrolment, you can always make a proposal for the IRS Fresh Start Program by filling and submitting an IRS Form 9465 that's available on IRS gov. Once again, the Fresh Start Program helps you pay off your tax debt in an affordable manner, without the risk of going into debt.
What is proof of hardship?
Acceptable Documentation
Lost Employment. • Unemployment Compensation Statement. (Note: this satisfies the proof of income requirement as well.) • Termination/Furlough letter from Employer. • Pay stub from previous employer with.
How to claim financial hardship?
- Ask your lender for financial hardship assistance.
- Explain your situation.
- Consider financial hardship options.
- Make your financial hardship arrangement.
- Get more help if you need it.
- Up next in Managing debt.
What qualifies for hardship?
However, you may be eligible for an early distribution or a hardship withdrawal if you face an “immediate and heavy financial need,” such as: Medical expenses. Principal residence purchase. Foreclosure or eviction prevention.
Who can help me get my refund from IRS?
More In Help
Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 (toll-free) and use the automated system, or speak with a representative by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation). If you filed a married filing jointly return, you can't initiate a trace using the automated systems.
What is considered a hardship for a tax advocate?
Financial Hardship issues are those involving a financial difficulty to a taxpayer, or an IRS action or inaction has caused or will cause negative financial consequences, or have a long-term adverse impact on a taxpayer.
How long can the IRS hold your refund?
If the IRS is reviewing your return, it may have questions about your wages and withholding, or credits or expenses shown on your tax return. The review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.