IRS: Delays caused by glitch shorter than expected

IRS: Delays caused by problem with tax-preparation software shorter than expected

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Internal Revenue Service says refund delays caused by a glitch in the software some taxpayers used to file their tax returns will be shorter than initially projected.

The IRS says refunds will likely be held up by two to four weeks. The agency predicted a four-to six-week delay when it announced the software problem two weeks ago. Some affected taxpayers already have received their refunds.

The delay affects about 660,000 people claiming education tax credits who filed returns between Feb. 14 and Feb. 22.

Tax preparation giant H&R Block says some of its customers were affected, but the Kansas City-based company has resolved the problem. The IRS said a limited number of other companies have also had problems, but declined to name them.

Turbo Tax customers were not affected.