We have talked in the past about paying your taxes electronically and having your refunds deposited directly into your bank account and I want to continue to recommend doing both. So let’s say you filed your return and chose direct deposit, and now you want to know when your refund will be deposited. There are tools on the IRS and state websites to tell you when you can expect it.
So today I want to talk about the Where’s my refund apps.
OK, HOW FAST WILL REFUNDS COME?
- Depend on how you file.
- If you file on paper – 6-8 weeks
- If you e-file with a paper check option – 3 weeks
- If you e-file with direct deposit – 10-14 days, in general.
ARE MOST PEOPLE NOW DOING DIRECT DEPOSIT?
- For sure. Not only will the refund come quicker, but it is a more secure way to get it. You don’t have to worry about the check getting lost in the mail and the extra processing time it takes to print and send a paper check.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE WHERE’S MY REFUND APP?
- You can go to irs.gov and click on the Get Your Refund Status option
- You need to enter your SSN, filing status and refund amount.
- You can do the same on the state’s website.
- It will tell you the status of your return and when you can expect your refund.
- The site is only updated once a day, so it does no good to go on the site more than once a day.
WHEN WILL THE INFORMATION BE ON THE SITE?
- About 24 hours after you electronically file and 4-6 weeks if you paper file.
WHAT THINGS CAN DELAY THE REFUND FROM COMING?
- Financial institution may reject the deposit.
- Return is pulled due to potential identity theft.
- Return includes errors
WHY WOULD THE BANK REJECT IT?
- Errors with account or routing numbers.
- Can only be deposited into accounts where the names match. Children’s refunds.
- Only three deposits can come into the same account.
- Paper check.
WHAT IF THE DEPOSIT AMOUNT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE RETURN SHOWS?
- • IRS will send you a notice later to explain
• The biggest item for this year is the advanced child tax credit or stimulus amounts are not correct.
• Return calculation is incorrect.
• Estimates or withholding do not match their records.
• Offset prior tax due federal or state, child support, spousal support, even past due student loans.
Be sure to talk to a tax professional if you have any questions about checking on your refund.
As a partner, I have thorough experience providing tax services to individuals, privately held businesses, nonprofit entities and estates and trusts. I also provide compilation and review services.
