Tips for Checking on Your Tax Refund
Some people dread the annual April 15 tax deadline, but those who are getting tax refunds are happy to file their taxes and get that extra money. Whether you file your taxes by mail or electronically, you will want to know when to expect your refund. Fortunately, if you're impatient and want to know where your money is, the IRS has set up several ways for you to check on its status. Although this won't make your refund appear any faster, it will help you plan for that extra bit of money in your bank account.
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IRS Website
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The easiest way to check the status of your tax refund is to visit the IRS website's "Where's My Refund?" page (see Resources). About three days after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your electronically filed tax return, you can log on to learn more about the status of your return. Have your Social Security number, filing status and the exact amount of your refund on hand when you log on.
Phone
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If you mailed your tax return, wait at least three weeks before contacting the IRS about the status of your refund. At that point, you can call the IRS Refund Hotline at (800) 829-1954 to check on the status of your refund. You will have to provide your Social Security number, filing status and the exact amount of your refund.
Types of Refunds
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When you file your taxes, you must select how you want to receive your refund. You can choose to have a paper check mailed to your address, or you can provide bank account information, and the IRS will deposit the refund directly in your account. The IRS will deposit the refund in up to three separate bank accounts in amounts your request. You can expect to receive your refund within three weeks of the IRS' acknowledgment date if your tax return is accurate and complete.
Delayed Refunds
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The most common cause of a delayed tax refund is incorrectly prepared taxes. Errors on your tax returns can impact when you receive your refund. Incorrect Social Security numbers for you, your spouse or dependents as well as missing W-2 stubs can slow down the refund process. Also, it is more likely that there are errors on a paper return than an electronically filed one, as most tax software will correct minor errors that you might overlook.
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