How Long Does It Take For Your Tax Return

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When Will My Refund Be Available

How long do you need to wait for your tax refund?

Keep in mind that it may take a few days for your financial institution to make your deposit available to you, or it may take several days for the check to arrive in the mail. Keep this in mind when planning to use your tax refund. The IRS states to allow for five additional days for the funds to become available to you. In almost all cases, a direct deposit will get you your tax refund more quickly than in five days, and in some cases, it will be available immediately.

Complexity Of Tax Return

The complexity of your tax return can also affect how long it takes to get your refund. Complex returns with multiple deductions or credits may require additional review from the IRS, resulting in a longer processing time. Its important to double-check all information before submitting your return to make sure everything is accurate.

When Is Irs Free File Available

IRS Free File, a partnership between the IRS and leading tax-software companies, traditionally becomes available in January. The program allows taxpayers under a certain income threshold to file electronically for free, using software provided by participating providers.

Free File typically begins before tax season officially starts, so the partner companies hold the completed returns until they can be filed electronically with the IRS.

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How Long Does It Take The Irs To Approve A Refund

The IRS reports that most returns are processed and approved within a few days of when they are received, and most refunds are issued less than 21 days after the return is received.

If you filed weeks ago and still havent received your return, there could be several reasons why youre experiencing a delay. The most common causes for tax refund delays include simple math errors, inaccurate or missing information and missing signatures or attachments.

Tax returns with errors involving the third stimulus check, which was issued in early 2021, or returns that are missing information or have been flagged as suspected fraud or theft could be delayed for up to 90 to 120 days.

Taxpayers who claim the earned income tax credit or the child tax credit may also experience delays in receiving their refunds, even if their returns were filed accurately. Claiming these credits will slow down the processing of your return because of regulations designed to give the IRS time to deal with fraudulent returns. Even if you filed your return before Jan. 24, the first day the IRS began processing returns, you may not receive your refund until early March.

We Have Received Your Return And It Is Being Processed No Further Information Is Available At This Time

How to Fill Out Your Tax Return Like a Pro

This is a general processing status. Unless your return is selected for additional review, or we request additional information, this will be your status throughout processing until we schedule an issue date and update your status at that time. While your return is in this stage, our Call Center representatives have no further information available to assist you. As your refund status changes, this message will automatically update in our automated phone system, our online Check your refund status application, and in the account information available to our representatives.

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How You File Affects When You Get Your Refund

The Canada Revenue Agency’s goal is to send your refund within:

  • 2 weeks, when you file online
  • 8 weeks when you file a paper return

These timelines are only valid for returns that we received on or before their due dates.

Returns may take up to 16 weeks if you live outside Canada and file a non-resident personal income tax return.

The CRA may take longer to process your return if it is selected for a more detailed review. See Review of your tax return by the CRA for more information.

If you use direct deposit, you could get your refund faster.

How To Check The Status Of Your Tax Return

You should be able to check IRS tax refund status roughly 24 hours after you receive confirmation from the IRS that they have received your tax refund via e-File. You will need to wait at least four weeks if you mailed in your tax return.

The best way to check the status of your federal tax refund is to visit the Wheres My Refund page at the IRS website.

What you will need:

  • Exact refund amount

You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 or 1-800-829-4477 or 1-800-829-1040 and inquire about your tax return status with an IRS customer service representative. Note that the IRS only updates tax return statuses once a day during the week, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. They do not update the status more than once a day, so checking throughout the day will not give you a different result.

Should I call the IRS to check my federal tax refund status?

The IRS has stated you should only call them if it has been:

  • 21 days or more since you e-filed
  • Six weeks or more since you mailed your return, or when
  • Wheres My Refund tells you to contact the IRS

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What To Do Once Your Refund Arrives

For many people, their IRS tax refund is the biggest check they receive all year, the IRS says. In anticipation of your windfall, its wise to have a plan for how youre going to use your windfall. Deciding how to spend, save or invest the money in advance can help stop the shopping impulse from getting the best of you.

Your refund is yours to use how you see fit and can be used to help pay for day-to-day expenses or invested for long-term financial stability.

If youre expecting a refund, put it to good use. Looking for inspiration? Bankrate offers five smart ways to invest your tax refund.

I Have Checked The Status Of My Return And I Was Told There Is No Record Of My Return Being Received What Should I Do

Why is your tax return taking so long?

Due to the late approval of the state budget, which included multiple tax law changes, the Department has experienced delays processing returns. If you filed your return electronically and received an acknowledgment, your return has been received but may not have started processing. Follow the guidance below based on your filing method:

Filed Electronically:

If its been more than six weeks since you received an acknowledgment email, please call 1-877-252-3052.

Filed Paper:

If its been more than 12 weeks since you mailed your original return, you can mail a duplicate return to NC Department of Revenue, P O Box 2628, Raleigh, NC 27602, Attn: Duplicate Returns. The word “Duplicate” should be written at the top of the return that you are mailing. The duplicate return must be an original printed form and not a photocopy and include another copy of all wages statements as provided with the original return.

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Unclaimed Federal Tax Refunds

If you are eligible for a federal tax refund and dont file a return, then your refund will go unclaimed. Even if you aren’t required to file a return, it might benefit you to file if:

  • Federal taxes were withheld from your pay

and/or

You may not have filed a tax return because your wages were below the filing requirement. But you can still file a return within three years of the filing deadline to get your refund.

How To Use The Irs Refund Tracker Tool

If you are eager to track the status of your refund, you can use the official “Wheres My Refund tool. It will tell you the status of your tax return and refund, and give you an estimate of when to expect your refund to arrive. Updates are made daily, and the status of accounts is usually updated overnight.

You can use the tool on your computer or through the IRS2Go mobile app. To use the tool, youll need to provide the following information:

  • Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

  • Exact refund amount

You can check the status 24 hours after e-filing your tax return. If you submit a paper return, it can take weeks or even months before the Wheres My Refund tool will have updated information.

The IRS says you should only reach out to ask about your refund if its been more than 21 days since you e-filed or more than six months since you submitted a paper return. If your delay has been longer, you can call the IRS or talk to a representative at a taxpayer assistance center.

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Is There A Delay On 2022 Tax Refunds

Last year, many taxpayers ended up waiting longer than the usual 21 days some as long as eight weeks to receive their refunds as the IRS was dealing with the backlog of returns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IRS is still working through this backlog of 2020 tax returns. Because of this, many tax experts expect that some refunds will be delayed this year.

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Katie Teague

Writer

Katie is a Writer at CNET, covering all things how-to. When shes not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.

Filing early and electronically with direct deposit will help expedite your tax refund.

Tax deadline day is April 18 youve got about three weeks left to file your tax return or request an extension. Once youre finished, you can easily use free tools from the IRS to determine exactly when your money will arrive.

The IRS recommends filing electronically and setting up direct deposit, as it can help get your refund issued within three weeks . Even with its unprecedented backlog, the IRS says you can still expect your refund money to arrive within about 21 days of e-filing your tax return. So far, the tax agency has sent almost 52 million tax refunds to taxpayers.

Well tell you how to use the Wheres My Refund and IRS2Go tools to track your tax refund online, and how to check your IRS account for further details. If youre filing a paper return, it will take longer, but you can still track your tax refund to your mailbox.

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How Long Will It Take To Get My Tax Refund

The IRS issues most tax refunds within 21 days, but it can take longer if you file on paper or your return requires extra attention. The agency also cant distribute Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit refunds before mid-February.

The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a 2022 federal tax refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills, it wrote in a November news release. Some returns may require additional review and may take longer.

As always, the fastest way to get your tax refund is to do your taxes electronically and select direct deposit as the delivery method. You can track your tax refund with the Wheres My Refund? tool have your Social Security or taxpayer ID number, filing status and refund amount ready to enter.

Remember: Your tax refund will likely be smaller this year than it was last year because there werent any federal stimulus checks given out in 2022.

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Are There Any Expected Tax Refund Delays

Yes, tax refund delays are common. The IRS is required by federal law to withhold tax refunds for taxpayers who claim Earned Income Tax Credits and Additional Child Tax Credit until at least Feb. 15, 2022. Keep in mind it can still take a week to receive your refund after the IRS releases it. So some people who file early may experience delays while awaiting their refunds. Refunds should be processed normally after this date.

Note: There may be delays for the 2021 tax year. The IRS continues to work through a backlog of tax returns , including those with errors and amended returns.

The IRS recommends filing your tax return electronically for faster processing and tax refund payments.

Also note that new identity theft protections and anti-fraud measures may hold up some refunds, as some federal tax returns may be held for further review.

What’s The Deadline If I File For An Extension

How long does it take for tax refund to show in bank account after approved?

Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 16, 2023, to file their 2022 tax return.

Fiiling an extension doesn’t push back your payment deadline, though. You still need to submit anything you owe on time to avoid late penalties. An extension just gives you more time to complete your return.

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Irs Refund Schedule For Direct Deposits And Check Refunds

The following tax refund table is based on previous refund tables released by the IRS to help taxpayers know when they should receive their tax refunds. The IRS moved to the Modernized e-File System in 2013 . The IRS only issued refunds once per week under the old system. They now issue refunds every business day, Monday through Friday .

Due to changes in the IRS auditing system, they no longer release a full schedule as they did in previous years. The following chart is based on IRS statements, published guidelines and estimates from past years. This IRS refund schedule should only be used as a rough guideline.

Request Electronic Communications From The Department

The best way to communicate with the Tax Department about your return is to open an Online Services account and request electronic communications for both Bills and Related Notices and Other Notifications. To ensure that you receive future communications in the Message Center of your Online Services Account Summary homepage, create your account now, before filing your next return.

Once youve logged in to your Online Services account:

  • Select your name in the upper right-hand corner of your Account Summary homepage.
  • Select Preferences, then select Electronic communications from the expanded menu.

    Sample of Individuals account type in Online Services

  • Choose the Electronic notification options you want to receive email about. To receive a notification when your refund is issued and other electronic communications about your income tax refund, select both options.

    Sample of Bills and Related Notices screen in Online Services.

  • Read the Acknowledgement section.
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    How Long Does It Take To Withdraw Money From Premium Bonds

    In terms of withdrawals, NS& I says that if you are planning to use the telephone or online channel, then provided it receives your instruction to withdraw by 8pm on a given day, the funds should be in your bank account within two working days.

    Anyone placing their instruction on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday will therefore face a longer wait for their cash due to the weekend.

    For example, were you to request a withdrawal on a Friday before 8pm, you would have to wait until the following Tuesday to receive your cash.

    If you are using the post, it will still take NS& I two working days to process, but this is from when NS& I receives your instruction in the post, so will likely take longer.

    Luckily theres a very handy withdrawal calculator on its website that should also prove useful.

    We spoke to a spokesperson from The Savings Guru to see if they could offer some further insight for our reader.

    Calculating The Expected Return Date

    Helppp! I submitted all the documents over 3 weeks ago! How long does ...

    Once you have used the tools on the IRS website to get an estimated timeline for your refund, you can use the following formula to calculate an expected date of when you can expect to receive your money:

    • Take the date you filed your return.
    • Subtract weekends and holidays.

    This formula should give you an approximate date of when you can expect to receive your refund, but keep in mind that this timeline is only an estimate and could change depending on the complexity of your return and the number of deductions or credits you are claiming.

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    Taxes 202: What’s The Deadline To File Taxes When’s The Earliest You Can File

    Tax season is upon us. Learn the important dates for filing returns.

    The new year is well underway, which means tax season is starting up. The IRS is not officially accepting 2022 returns yet, but it’s not too early to start getting your paperwork together.

    This filing season is the first to benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed in August and provided the IRS with additional staffing and resource.

    “We’ve trained thousands of new employees to answer phones and help people,” Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell said in a Jan. 12 statement. “While much work remains after several difficult years, we expect people to experience improvements this tax season.”

    Here are important dates for the 2022 tax season, including when federal and state taxes are due, the earliest you can file your income taxes, and when you can expect a refund. For more on tax returns, learn how to set up an account on the IRS website, and how to file on your phone.

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