How long does ATF refund take?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long does ATF refund take?

Posted: 7/22/2015 9:18:15 AM EDT

One month ago today I had a form 1 get denied. The examiner actually made a mistake and when I pointed it out he had me resubmit it and he approved me the same day. He said the refund would take "about 90 days". Is that accurate?

Not that it matters, but why does it take so long to refund a credit card? It didn't take them 90 days to charge it. The examiner said it takes "about 90 days due to shear volume" ... that doesn't make sense to me. I wasn't going to argue because it wasn't going to make a difference, they hold all the cards... and I was just happy to have another SBR lower that day!

Posted: 7/22/2015 9:47:17 AM EDT

[#1]

While I have never personally had a denied form, every thread I see on the issue seems to point to 90 days plus for refunds to be processed.

And as to why, the only answer is "our government in action". The people that approve the forms are not the same people who process the payments, and when a refund order happens it has to be submitted back through channels to the payments people who have to process the refund... and knowing the government it is the job of only one person to do that and they have a stack of refund requests a yard high on their desk for them to process through on the two days a week they actually do refund requests.

Posted: 7/22/2015 10:15:12 AM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
While I have never personally had a denied form, every thread I see on the issue seems to point to 90 days plus for refunds to be processed.

And as to why, the only answer is "our government in action". The people that approve the forms are not the same people who process the payments, and when a refund order happens it has to be submitted back through channels to the payments people who have to process the refund... and knowing the government it is the job of only one person to do that and they have a stack of refund requests a yard high on their desk for them to process through on the two days a week they actually do refund requests.

View Quote

Thanks JsARCLIGHT. I kind of see why it takes so long to get the actual forms approved, but one would think the denial would automatically trigger a refund. I am clearly wasting my time typing this right now, but I just had to get that out there.

Nice avatar by the way. Makes me think of Walter Sobchak.

Posted: 7/22/2015 10:27:04 AM EDT

[#3]

Oh I'm sure the system could be drastically modernized, interconnected and streamlined... but, as some say, that would make it too easy. The rolling thought is that the NFA process is kept deliberately clunky and the whole "90 plus days to issue a refund" thing just adds more fuel to that fire.

Posted: 7/22/2015 11:36:20 AM EDT

[#4]

I've heard 4-6m

Posted: 7/22/2015 11:52:14 AM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've heard 4-6m

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Yikes! That wouldn't surprise me though.

Posted: 7/22/2015 12:48:27 PM EDT

[#6]

I just got a refund yesterday from March 16.

Posted: 7/22/2015 2:50:25 PM EDT

[#7]

I'm glad I stumbled across this thread.In April I cancled a form 1 and was wondering if it every really got done.
I had thought they may just process it then deny it. I hate jamming up the system.
It wasn't completely my fault do to a glitch while efiling..

Now knowing it's 90+ days for refund it was beneficial to everyone to call and cancel then let it work it's way through the system.

Posted: 7/25/2015 9:06:49 PM EDT

[#8]

I may or may not have been refunded today from a 5/1 requested denial (error on my part). I'll call the bank Monday to be sure.

Posted: 7/25/2015 11:06:07 PM EDT

[#9]

Still waiting on my mid-May refund.

Posted: 7/25/2015 11:42:16 PM EDT

[#10]

3 1/2 months for the last one...but I.got special dispensation....caliber issue...Heather Thomas forwarded it to Mr. Clutter and in 48 hrs. it was approved after the fact, I had to l refile then approved in 48.

Posted: 7/26/2015 12:31:46 AM EDT

[#11]

Received mine 2 weeks ago for one from march 10.

Posted: 8/10/2015 10:28:13 AM EDT

[#12]

Well, I got my refund yesterday (Sunday) ... which put the total time from denied to refund at 6 weeks.

Posted: 8/10/2015 7:33:09 PM EDT

[#13]

Denied May 27, Refund received Aug 6.

Posted: 8/11/2015 8:49:02 PM EDT

[#14]

denied 3-26, refund 7-27

Posted: 8/13/2015 11:42:36 PM EDT

[#15]

Disapproved 6-8 Refund 8-6

Posted: 9/2/2015 12:36:55 AM EDT

[#16]

Returned form 1- 5/14
Refund received -8/28

Posted: 9/2/2015 7:59:44 AM EDT

[#17]

Just curious why all of you were denied/disapproved? Paperwork mistake?

Want to make sure I don't make the same mistake

Posted: 9/6/2015 11:06:36 AM EDT

[#18]

My refund took less than a week. I was shocked.

Posted: 9/6/2015 2:53:13 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
My refund took less than a week. I was shocked.

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I got mine in July from an April Disapproval. But, I do know somebody else that had one disapproved in early August and had it back within a week or two, so evidently some process change has happened.

Posted: 9/7/2015 12:34:06 AM EDT

[#20]

right about 90 days, after the WA SBR debacle

Posted: 9/9/2015 7:05:58 AM EDT

[#21]

34 days before I got a check from Treasury dept

Posted: 9/9/2015 1:08:01 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

Just curious why all of you were denied/disapproved? Paperwork mistake?

Want to make sure I don't make the same mistake

View Quote

Was wondering the same as well

Posted: 9/9/2015 1:19:12 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Was wondering the same as well

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Just curious why all of you were denied/disapproved? Paperwork mistake?

Want to make sure I don't make the same mistake

Was wondering the same as well

1. Chose "multi" from drop down for caliber
2. Chose the wrong model from drop down instead of submitting exactly what was engraved
3. Put his name instead of trust name, or not the complete trust name as Licensee/Permittee

I'd be willing to bet >95% of the denials are for one of those three reasons (not counting intentional disapprovals when people request a submission be cancelled)

Posted: 9/10/2015 1:50:48 AM EDT

[#24]

Had one take 7 months before.

Posted: 10/10/2015 1:46:21 AM EDT

[#25]

I had my first denial on 9/30, my mistake on an efile form 1. Resubmitted, emailed Mr. Clutter and approved 2 days later. Received my refund 4 business days from denial. I work for .gov and was floored by the quick turn around!

Posted: 10/10/2015 9:45:28 AM EDT

[#26]

Two months ago I was told by the person who declined my form it could take "up to six months" for the refund.

Posted: 10/10/2015 10:02:27 AM EDT

[#27]

Six months ago they were regularly taking 90 days or more. In addition to the poster that mentioned less than a week recently, I know of several in the two weeks or less category. They definitely changed something in the process.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long does ATF refund take?

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