Here’s your obvious statistic of the tax season: most early filers do so because they are expecting a refund. And by now, many of those taxpayers want to know, “Where the heck is my refund?”
According to the IRS, 90% of taxpayers will receive a refund in 21 days or less. That’s the average taking into account all returns filed, whether e-filed or filed with traditional paper returns.
How can you speed that process up? The IRS says that if you e-file and use direct deposit, you can receive your refund in as few as ten days. I’ve heard of folks getting them as quickly as three but that’s anecdotal. IRS says ten.
Who might have to wait? The usual suspects: taxpayers who make mistakes. Submitting an error-free return increases the likelihood that your refund will be processed quickly. Mistakes – sloppy returns, transposed numbers, or bad math – can slow down processing and result in delays. Take a minute to double-check your return (including the signature line!) before you submit it to ensure that it doesn’t get flagged.
The IRS warns that ramped up scrutiny for fraud may slow down some refunds. If your refund is sizable or if it’s based on a credit that the IRS has identified as ripe for abuse (EITC and fuel tax credits, for example), your return might get a second look.
Other issues that can affect the timing of your refund include bankruptcy, an open audit, or a balance due on a related account such as a different tax year. Your refund may also be slowed if you are subject to an offset for outstanding liabilities such as delinquent child support or unpaid student loans.
If you’ve done everything right and your refund feels slow, you can check on the status with the IRS. You’ll need to wait at least 72 hours after you e-file or three weeks after you mail your paper return before you can make an inquiry.
The fastest and best way to get the info is using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go phone app (free through the Apple App Store and the Android Marketplace).
To check on your refund, you’ll need to have your tax return handy. You’ll need to enter:
- Your Social Security Number;
- Your filing status; and
- The amount of your refund as shown on your tax return.
You can check on the status of your refund most of the time. However, the Change of Address and Refund Trace features are not available during the following times (Eastern Time):
Sunday 12:00 am (Midnight) to 7:00 pm
Monday 12:00 am (Midnight) to 6:00 am
Tuesday 3:30 am to 6:00 am
Wednesday 3:30 am to 6:00 am
Thursday 3:30 am to 6:00 am
Friday 3:30 am to 6:00 am
Saturday 3:30 am to 6:00 am and 9:00 pm to Midnight
If you wait a bit to check on your refund – and you file before July 1 – your refund information will remain available online until around the second or third week in December.
If you don’t want to use the online tools, you can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-4477. Keep in mind that calling won’t actually speed up your refund; you’ll just get information about the status of the refund.
And a few quick don’ts:
- Do not call your preparer and ask about the status of your refund if you already know that the return was properly filed; he or she can’t help you any more than IRS can. Plus, it’s annoying. That said, if you are relying on a RAL (refund anticipation loan) or other third-party deposit, contact them directly and not the IRS.
- Do not ask your mother/father/brother/neighbor/cute girl in your class to ask for you. Remember, third parties need proper authorization to chat with the IRS on your behalf.
- Don’t be mean: yelling at the rep at the end of the phone about how your tax preparer promised you on Thursday that you’d have it in your bank account and here it is on Friday and it’s not there won’t help anything.
- And do not send me your Social Security number and ask me to do it for you. I can’t help you if I don’t have a Power of Attorney on file (which I wouldn’t have if you’re not my client). More importantly, while I happen to think I’m a good person and all, sending your Social Security number to a random person – even one whose Mom thinks she’s really, really nice – is dangerous. You can have your identity stolen. Don’t be foolish.
Here’s a quick caveat about dates: if you’ve amended your return using a form 1040X, all bets are off. It may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer to process the return. If 8 weeks have passed after you’ve filed a form 1040X and you have not received your refund, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040. From outside the U.S., call 267-941-1000. TTY/TDD: 800-829-4059. Be prepared to wait (and wait).
Finally, if your check is supposed to be in your mailbox and it’s not because it was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can file an online claim for a replacement check. You can make the claim if it’s been more than 28 days from the date that the IRS says it mailed your refund. Head over to the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov for details.
