OSCODA -- Federal tax returns are due in less than a month, but many people have been filing since the beginning of the year with the hopes of cashing in on an early refund.  However, one MidMichigan man is turning his struggle with the IRS for his refund into a call to action. 

Leslie Lawrence of Oscoda says he prepared his tax returns in January, and made arrangements to have his refund pay back the 2008 first time home buyers credit.  That is the only year where those receiving the credit are required to repay it. He also needs the refund to make car repairs and meet major expenses. 

“I’m very low income and when my taxes come back at the end of the year I use that to get myself back above water and catch my bills up,” he said. 

Lawrence did run into a problem familiar to others trying to repay the credit.    The IRS delayed accepting some tax returns and processing some refunds (including those with credit repayment arrangements) through February 15.  That, however, was more than a month ago and he’s still having issues. 

Lawrence is now working with the office of U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek in search of answers.    

Meanwhile Bill Tadrick of Tadrick’s Tax Service in Burton said the original delay was likely due to a failure of Congress to pass legislation allowing the IRS to collect the 2008 home tax credit repayment.

As for the recent delays, Lawrence is hoping answers will follow soon.  NBC25 will stay on top of this story.