Are you expecting a
tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service this year? If so, here are five things you should know
about checking the status of your refund once your tax professional has filed your federal tax return.
1. Online
Access to Refund Information: Where’s
My Refund? are interactive tools on IRS.gov and the fastest,
easiest way to get information about your federal income tax refund. Whether you split your refund
among several accounts, opted for direct deposit into one account, used part of your refund to buy
U.S. savings bonds or asked the IRS to mail you a check, Where’s My Refund? gives you online
access to your refund information nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2. When to Check
Refund Status: If you e-file, you can get refund information 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges
receipt of your return. If you file a paper return, refund information will generally be available
three to four weeks after mailing your return.
3. What You Need to Check Refund Status: When
checking the status of your refund, have your federal tax return handy. To get your personalized
refund information you must enter:
- Your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number
- Your filing status which will be Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married
Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)
- Exact whole dollar refund amount
shown on your tax return
4. What the Online Tool Will Tell You Once you enter your personal
information, you could get several responses, including:
- Acknowledgement that your return was received and is in processing.
- The mailing date
or direct deposit date of your refund.
- Notice that the IRS could not deliver your refund
due to an incorrect address.
- In this instance, you may be able to change or correct your
address online using Where’s My Refund?.
5. Customized Information The tool also includes links to customized information
based on your specific situation. The links guide you through the steps to resolve any issues
affecting your refund. For example, if you do not get the refund within 28 days from the original
IRS mailing date shown on Where’s My Refund?, you may be able to start a refund trace. You may
also want to contact your professional adviser should you have any questions about your refund. If
you would like to find an adviser, please contact one of our member
firms.
