How to Collect an IRS Refund
While you cannot avoid paying taxes and filing your annual tax return, every once in a while, you get some good news: you overpaid Uncle Sam and are entitled to a refund. There is a three-year time frame from the date of overpayment in which a refund must be claimed according to Tax Code 6511. If you have filed extensions, you have a two years from the time you filed the taxes, not when the tax was paid. Always check with a tax advisor about the rules and regulations, and what you are entitled to.
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Instructions
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Review your tax return in the year you are requesting the refund. Confirm that your mailing address is correct. Confirm the amount of the overpayment (you may wish to have a tax advisor review this to make sure you know what you are entitled to).
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Contact the IRS with your refund notification. Make any corrections necessary. You can do this online at IRS.gov.
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Provide the IRS with your social security number, filing status and the exact dollar amount of your refund.
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Confirm with the IRS when a check will be sent out. Give the check 28 days from the date it was mailed to notify the IRS of "lost check" concerns. They will not reissue a check before this date.
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Tips & Warnings
It takes approximately 72 hours for the IRS to reply to inquiries regarding refunds.
You may be able to enroll with the IRS Electronic Payment Options to avoid waiting for a check. This may send a check directly to your bank account, or credit it to a credit card.
