How To Check If Taxes Were Filed

How To Check Check The Status Of Your Tax Refund

Visit Refund Status on MassTaxConnect.

You will be asked to:

• Choose the ID type,
• Choose the tax year of your refund, and
• Enter your requested refund amount.

To check the status of your tax refund by phone, call 887-6367 or toll-free in Massachusetts 392-6089 and follow the automated prompts.

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Get More With These Free Tax Calculators And Money

• See if you qualify for a third stimulus check and how much you can expect

• Know what dependents credits and deductions

• Know what tax documents youll need upfront

• Learn what education credits and deductions you qualify for and claim them on your tax returnGet started

The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.

Ways To Make The Tax Refund Process Easier

Find your tax refund fast by proactively checking your IRS federal tax return status. Before filing and using the IRS Wheres My Refund portal to track your 2021 government return, consider:

• Reviewing your return carefully. Mistakes can delay your returns progress on the tax refund tracker. Be sure to review your information carefully before filing with the IRS.
• Filing early. The earlier you file, the sooner you can check the status of your IRS federal tax return. Early filing also provides more time to deal with issues should something go wrong.
• E-Filing your return. Instead of spending 6-8 weeks wondering wheres my tax refund from the IRS?, do yourself a favor and file electronically. E-Filed government returns are typically processed in under half the time as paper returns.
• Opting for direct deposit. Avoid waiting for your check by having your IRS refund deposited into your account. Once the WMR reads Refund Approved, your money will be ready to spend.
• Tracking your 2020 refund right away. Staying up-to-date on your return ensures youre in the loop every step of the way.

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How Should I Contact The Irs For More Help

The IRS received 167 million calls this tax season, which is four times the number of calls in 2019. And based on the recent report, only 7 percent of calls reached a telephone agent for help. While you could try calling the IRS to check your status, the agencys live phone assistance is extremely limited right now because the IRS says its working hard to get through the backlog. You shouldnt file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

The IRS is directing people to the Let Us Help You page on its website for more information. It also advises taxpayers to get in-person help at Taxpayer Assistance Centers. You can contact your local IRS office or call to make an appointment: 844-545-5640. You can also contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service if youre eligible for assistance by calling them: 877-777-4778.

Though the chances of getting live assistance are slim, the IRS says you should only call the agency directly if its been 21 days or more since you filed your taxes online, or if the Wheres My Refund tool tells you to contact the IRS. You can call: 800-829-1040 or 800-829-8374 during regular business hours.

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How To Check When You Will Receive Your Tax Return

IRS2Go is the official mobile app of the IRS, which you can use to check your refund status, make a payment, find free tax preparation assistance, sign up for helpful tax tips and more. The app is available in Spanish and English, and you can download it from Google Play, the Apple App Store or Amazon.

You can also use the Wheres My Refund tool on the IRS website. To check your refund status, you will need your social security number or ITIN, your filing status and the exact refund amount you are expecting.

The IRS updates the tools refund status on a daily basis, usually overnight, so check back in routinely for the most up-to-date information.

If its been more than 21 days since you e-filed your federal tax return, you should you call the agency directly.

If you havent filed your taxes for the 2021 tax year yet, consider going with a tax prep software that offers expert tax assistance. Speaking with a tax-prep expert may help ensure that your return is accurate, which can help facilitate a timely return.

Here are Selects top picks for best tax filing software:

• Best overall tax software: TurboTax

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Common Reasons That May Cause Delays

• We found a math error on your return or have to make another adjustment. If our adjustment causes a change to your refund amount, you will receive a notice.
• You used more than one form type to complete your return. The form type is identified in the top left corner of your return. We will return your State tax return for you to complete using the correct form type before we can process your return. View example of form types.
• Your return was missing information or incomplete. Sometimes returns are missing information such as signatures, ID numbers, bank account information, W-2s, or 1099s. We will contact you to request this information so we can process your return. Please respond quickly so we can continue processing your return.
• Your return was selected for additional review. As refund fraud resulting from identify theft has become more widespread, were taking extra steps to review all individual income tax returns we receive to be sure refunds go to the rightful owners. Additional safeguards can mean that it takes us longer to process your refund. However, our goal is to stop fraudulent refunds before theyre issued, not to slow down your refund.

Heres How Taxpayers Can Check The Status Of Their Federal Tax Return

• IRS Statements and Announcements

IRS Tax Tip 2021-70, May 19, 2021

The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where’s My Refund? tool. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed return is received. The tool also provides a personalized refund date after the return is processed and a refund is approved.

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Reasons For A Late Tax Refund

Many things can hold up the processing and delivery of your tax refund. For example, it could be delayed if you filed your return too early or waited until the last minute. If you tried to file in January, for example, a last-minute change to the tax code could have triggered an error on your return that slowed down the processing. Similarly, waiting until the very last minute to get your return in can mean a longer wait for your refund if the IRS is clogged up with a larger than usual volume of returns.

Also, keep in mind that filing a paper return can slow things down. The fastest way to fileand to get your refundis to do it electronically online.

Beyond those possibilities, here are some of the most common causes of delay.

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Stage : Refund Approved

This means the IRS has processed and approved your return. This usually happens about three weeks after the IRS indicates theyâve received your return.

Once the IRS processes your return, youâll see an estimated date for when the money will be deposited into your bank account, like so:

If you donât receive your refund by the date mentioned on this page, the IRS suggests contacting your bank first, to make sure there arenât any problems with your account.

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Wheres My State Tax Refund Michigan

Checking your refund status is possible through the Michigan Department of Treasury. Just visit the Wheres My Refund? page. Michigan requires you to enter slightly different information than most other states. You will need to enter your SSN, the tax year, your filing status and your adjusted gross income.

Michigan says to allow four weeks after your return is accepted to check for information. This assumes you filed electronically. If you filed a paper return, allow six to eight weeks before checking.

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Tips For Managing Your Taxes

• Your taxes should be accounted for in your long-term financial plan. If you need professional guidance on how to build a financial plan, consider working with a financial advisor. SmartAssets free matching tool can pair you with up to three advisors in your area. Get started now.
• Each state will process tax returns at a different pace. On the other hand, the IRS generally processes federal returns at the same pace, no matter where you live. Heres a federal refund schedule to give you an idea of when to expect your refund.

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How To Get A Stimulus Check If You Dont File A Tax Return

If youre eligible for a stimulus check , the IRS will grab the information it needs to process your payment from your 2018 or 2019 tax return. But what if you didnt file a tax return for those two years? After all, not everyone is required to file a return. Are you going to get a check, or is Uncle Sam going to stiff you?

The good news is that youll still get a stimulus checkbut you might have to send the IRS some information first. Whether that extra step is required, and how you provide the necessary information, depends on your unique situation. If, for instance, youre currently receiving Social Security or other government benefits, you might not have to do anything to receive a check. Other non-filers can choose between different methods of supplying the required information. Read on to find out how traditional non-filers can make sure they receive a stimulus check.

• Veteran pension, disability, or survivor benefits.

These payments will be sent automaticallyyou dont have to do anything. The IRS will get the information it needs from the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Board, or Veterans Administration if it doesnt already have a 2018 or 2019 tax return with your name on it.

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Why Do I See A Tax Topic 151 Tax Topic 152 Or Irs Error Message

Although the Wheres My Refund tool typically shows a status of Received, Approved or Sent, there are a variety of other messages some users may see.

One of the most common is Tax Topic 152, indicating youre likely getting a refund but it hasnt been approved or sent yet. The notice simply links out to an informational topic page on the IRS FAQ website explaining the types and timing of tax refunds.

The delay could be an automated message for taxpayers claiming the child tax credit or earned income tax credit sent because of additional fraud protection steps.

Tax Topic 151 means your tax return is now under review by the IRS. The agency either needs to verify certain credits or dependents, or it has determined that your tax refund will be reduced to pay money that it believes you owe. Youll need to wait about four weeks to receive a notice from the IRS explaining what you need to do to resolve the status.

There are other IRS refund codes that a small percentage of tax filers receive, indicating freezes, math errors on tax returns or undelivered checks. The College Investor offers a list of IRS refund reference codes and errors and their meaning.

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Understanding Your Refund Status

As you track the status of your return, youll see some or all of the steps highlighted below. For more information about your status and for troubleshooting tips, see Understanding your refund status.

Want more information about refunds? See these resources:

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Determine If The Irs Filed A Substitute Return

Just because you didnât file your return doesnât mean the IRS wonât file one for you. The IRS may file a Substitution for Return or SFR on your behalf. Donât think of this as a complementary tax filing service. The IRS wonât give you any of the exemptions or deductions that rightfully belong to you.

Once an SFR is filed, you will be sent a notice to accept the tax liability as filed in this alternate return. If you donât respond, the IRS will issue a notice of deficiency. At this point, the tax is considered owed by you and the IRS can begin the collection process. To encourage payment, a levy can be placed on your wages or bank accounts. A federal tax lien may also be placed against your real property.

If an SFR was filed, you donât have to accept the outcome. You can go back and refile those years and include any available deductions. Chances are you can decrease the tax owed, as well as the interest and penalties.

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How Can I Check The Status Of My Refund

You can check the status of your refund online by using our Wheres My Refund? web service. In order to view status information, you will be prompted to enter the social security number listed on your tax return along with the exact amount of your refund shown on line 34 of Form D-400, Individual Income Tax Return.

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Taxpayers Can Check Online To Get Updates About Their Tax Refund

• IRS Statements and Announcements

IRS Tax Tip 2019-89, July 9, 2019

Taxpayers who filed an extension and are submitting their 2018 tax return this summer might be waiting for their tax refund. Its easy for these taxpayers to check on the status of their money. They can just zip over to IRS.gov and use Wheres My Refund?

This tool is available on IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app. Taxpayers can use Wheres My Refund? to start checking the status of their tax return within 24 hours after the IRS receives an e-filed return. For a paper return, its four weeks after the taxpayer mailed it.

The tool has a tracker that displays the progress of a tax return through these three stages:

• Return received

All a taxpayer needs to use Wheres My Refund? are these three things:

• Their Social Security number
• Their tax filing status
• The exact amount of the refund claimed on their tax return

Taxpayers should remember Wheres My Refund is only available on the IRS website or through the IRS2Go app.

Wheres My Refund? updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so theres no need to check the status more often.

Taxpayers should only call the IRS tax help hotline on the status of their tax refund if:

• It has been 21 days or more since the tax return was e-filed
• It has been six weeks or more since the return was mailed
• When Wheres My Refund? tells the taxpayer to contact the IRS

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Check Wheres My Refund

Whether you filed a paper or an e-filed return, if youre expecting a refund, the IRS offers the Wheres My Refund? site. Youll need your Social Security number, your filing status and the amount of the refund you are due to receive. If you filed a joint return, you can use either spouses Social Security number. The IRS advises you to wait three weeks before checking the status of mailed returns and 72 hours before following up on e-filed returns.

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Can I Call The Irs If Im Waiting On My Refund

Its best to locate your tax transcript or try to track your refund using the Wheres My Refund tool . The IRS says that you can expect a delay if you mailed a paper tax return or had to respond to the IRS about your electronically filed tax return. The IRS makes it clear not to file a second return.

The IRS says not to call the agency because it has limited live assistance. The agency is juggling the tax return backlog, delayed stimulus checks and child tax credit payments. Even though the chances of speaking with someone are slim, you can still try. Heres the best number to call: 1-800-829-1040.

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Are You Entitled To Receive Interest On Your Refund

Yes, the Canada Revenue Agency will pay you compound daily interest on your tax refund. The CRA will start paying refund interest on the latest of the following 3 dates:

• the date of the overpayment
• the 120th day after the end of the tax year if the return for the year is filed on time
• the 30th day after the date the return was filed if it is filed late

File Your Tax Return Electronically

Combining both direct deposit and electronic filing can greatly speed up your tax refund. Since filing electronically requires the use of a tax software program, it can flag errors that may cause processing delays by the IRS. These errors may include incorrect Social Security numbers, dependents dates of birth, and misspelling of names.

You can electronically file your tax return for free using the IRS Free File Program if your adjusted gross income is less than $72,000. Most simple tax returns can also generally be filed for free, although you may be charged to file your state taxes.

If your tax situation is more complicated if you sold property, paid business expenses or earned investment or business income, for exampleyou should consider hiring a tax professional. Having a knowledgeable tax professional, such as an enrolled agent, certified public accountant or other tax professional can help review your tax return and identify any mistakes that may slow down the processing of your tax refund.

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