How Long Does It Take To Get Your Tax Refund
Many Americans look forward to receiving their tax refund each year to help make important personal finance decisions, and you may be wondering how soon youll get yours. The time it takes to receive your tax refund can vary based on several factors, including when and how you file your tax return.
According to the IRS, the best way to avoid delays on your tax refund is to file an accurate tax return using e-file software to file electronically and opting to receive your refund via direct deposit. Most filers who use this method should receive their refunds within 21 days of submitting their return online.
If you mail your return, you can expect to receive your refund in about six to eight weeks from the date the IRS receives your return. You can choose to receive your refund as a check in the mail, but keep in mind that you will likely receive your refund anywhere from a few days to a few weeks later than you would have with direct deposit due to transit time.
Whether filed electronically or on paper, all returns are opened and processed by the IRS in the order they are received, so the earlier you file your taxes, the earlier youll receive a refund.
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Go Online To Track A Refund
The IRS online tool Wheres My Refund? on IRS.gov can help taxpayers check the status of their refund. Electronic filers are urged not to be too quick on the trigger, though, as its best to wait 24 hours after filing before checking the status of a refund.
Paper filers need more patience, waiting four weeks after mailing their returns to checking on any refund.
IRS representatives can only check the status of a refund if its been 21 days since the taxpayer electronically filed the return or six weeks since a paper return was mailed or if the Wheres My Refund? tool tells the taxpayer to contact the IRS.
No Tax Refund After 21 Days Reasons Why And Tips On Contacting The Irs To Get An Update For Tax Return Processing Status
As the IRS notes, for nine out of ten tax filers it takes a maximum of 21 days to receive a tax refund after their tax return has been accepted. But this is still just an estimate based on past IRS refund schedules and not a guarantee.
Further if it takes 21 days on average for 90% of tax filers, it also takes a lot longer than that for 10% or over 15 million tax filers to see their refund. And this assumes that the their tax return was filed correctly and does not require further manual verification.
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We Apologize But Your Return Processing Has Been Delayed Beyond The Normal Timeframe
This is the message many filers are seeing after submitting their tax return to the IRS. You can see more on this message in this video, but this is mainly due to IRS processing delays or an issue was found with your return that requires manual verification by their error handling department.
Tax Topic 152, which covers general IRS processing, is the default message shown to tax payers around their refund processing timeline and potential delays. No additional steps or actions are needed from the filer at this point.
TC 152 could have several implications once the IRS finishes initial processing, but when you see this message it basically just means the tax return has been received and is being processed and the next status or actions has to be finalized.
The IRS is however setting expectations that your refund may be delayed . The most common progression after this message is to see a refund offset or refund adjustment due to additional liability from reconciliation of filing information versus what the IRS has on record.
Can You Get Your Tax Refund Before You File
You may be in a situation where you substantially overpaid your taxes and want to get your money sooner. For example, you paid estimated taxes but your income was lower than you estimated.
You cant get your tax refund without filing. You will need to wait until at least January to be able to file your tax return so that you can get your tax refund.
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What Is Happening When Wheres My Refund Shows My Refunds Status As Approved
Weve approved your refund. We are preparing to send your refund to your bank or directly to you in the mail. This status will tell you when we will send the refund to your bank . Please wait 5 days after weve sent the refund to check with your bank about your refund, since banks vary in how and when they credit funds.
Is The Irs Still Processing 2020 Tax Returns
He said the IRS is still processing $9.8 million tax returns from 2020. The delays are mostly due to errors in filing, some having to do with the economic stimulus payments. … If you don’t report the correct amount, again it’s going to hold up the tax return processing to who knows when, McCarron said.
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Why Is My Amended Tax Return Taking So Long
Amended Return taking FOREVER Intuit
- Amended Return taking FOREVER. Its happening because the IRS is currently not processing any tax returns that are filed by mail, which includes all amended returns, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. When they start to process them again they will have reduced staff and a big backlog, so it will be a long time before your fiances amended return is processed, or even shows up on Wheres My Amended Return.
What If Youre Waiting On Tax Forms
You dont necessarily need to wait for tax forms to file your tax return if you know the numbers. For example, youre waiting to get a 1099-NEC that you know is for $10,000. You can just enter the $10,000 on your tax return.
There is a small chance that filing before you get your tax forms will get you audited by the IRS.
For example, they may not match the information you entered on the form. This could be because you used a slightly different payor name or tax identification number.
However, as long as your income and expenses are correct, you can clear this up with a simple written explanation showing why you paid the correct amount of tax.
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Why Is My Refund Still Processing After 3 Months
Your refund may be delayed if you made math errors or if you forgot to sign your return or include your Social Security number. It may also be delayed if your dependents’ information doesn’t match IRS records, or if you left out a corresponding schedule or form to support a deduction or credit, says Pickering.
Heres Why Your Income
WASHINGTON File your federal income tax return electronically by Mondays deadline, and if youre getting a refund, you should get it by May 9.
But file a paper return, or make a mistake, and the wait is likely to stretch into the summer. Or longer.
The Internal Revenue Service had been trying to catch up with its paper and error backlog for some time, and though it reports progress, officials still warn of long delays.
Many of the unprocessed return submissions date back to at least April 2021, and millions of taxpayers are still waiting for their refunds, with some taxpayers waiting as long as a year, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins reported on the agencys blog last week.
The IRS says people filing electronically, and making no errors, should see a refund within 21 days or less after filing if theyre supposed to get one. Those filing on paper or making a mistake should see an estimated wait that could stretch 90 to 120 days, if not longer.
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Start Tracking Right Away
If you file using tax software or through a tax pro, you can start tracking your IRS refund status 24 hours after the IRS receives your return. If you’re thinking ‘Where’s my state refund?’ there’s good news: You can also track the status of your state tax refund by going to your state’s revenue and taxation website.
Why Is My Tax Refund Delayed Beyond Normal Timeframe
While tax returns are opened and processed in the order received by the IRS, they have also said that paper filed returns, filings with errors or missing information, or where is suspected identity theft or fraud, will also face longer than normal delays because of special/manual handling required to resolve issues.
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Can I Call The Irs To Get Answers
While you could try calling the IRS to check your status, the agencys live phone assistance is extremely limited.
The IRS is directing taxpayers to the Let Us Help You page on its website and to get in-person help at Taxpayer Assistance Centers around the country. 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: 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. You can call 800-829-1040 or 800-829-8374 during regular business hours. If you have not received a refund yet, you shouldnt file a second tax return.
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How Long Will It Take To Get Your Refund
General refund processing times during filing season:
- Electronically filed returns: Up to 4 weeks
- Paper filed returns: Up to 8 weeks
- Returns sent by certified mail: Allow an additional 3 weeks
The Wheres my Refund application shows where in the process your refund is. When weve finished processing your return, the application will show you the date your refund was sent. All returns are different, and processing times will vary.
See how our return process works:
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Return Delayed Heres What To Do
If youve been waiting on your tax refund and you feel in the dark, your first response might be to call the IRS directly. However, this is rarely recommended.
Youre likely to find yourself on the line a long time before you reach a real person, and then theyll just direct you to use Wheres My Refund? Save time, and blood pressure, and avoid calling the IRS unless directed to.
The Wheres My Refund? tool is the best choice for checking the status of your refund. You can use this within 24 hours of e-filing your tax return, or within 4 weeks of mailing a paper return.
Wheres My Refund? will require your Social Security number or ITIN, your filing status, and the exact refund amount.
Wheres My Refund? updates daily, typically overnight, to provide you with the latest information regarding your tax return.
Alternatively, the IRS offers a mobile IRS2Go app. This works similarly to Wheres My Refund?, allowing you to check the status of your return daily.
Im A Nonresident Alien I Dont Have To Pay Us Federal Income Tax How Do I Claim A Refund For Federal Taxes Withheld On Income From A Us Source When Can I Expect To Receive My Refund
To claim a refund of federal taxes withheld on income from a U.S. source, a nonresident alien must report the appropriate income and withholding amounts on Form 1040-NR, U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax ReturnPDF. You must include the documents substantiating any income and withholding amounts when you file your Form 1040NR. We need more than 21 days to process a 1040NR return. Please allow up to 6 months from the date you filed the 1040NR for your refund.
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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.
Getting Tax Relief If You Owe Money
If you go through the tax filing process and come out owing the government money, there are options for getting tax relief. You can negotiate directly with the IRS and state revenue agencies, or hire a tax relief company to negotiate on your behalf.
If you owe less than $10,000 and your case is not complicated, you may be better off dealing directly with the IRS. Otherwise, tax relief experts such as tax attorneys and enrolled agents can save you time and improve your chances of negotiating generous terms on your tax settlement.
Some of the top companies to help with getting relief for taxes owed are:
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You Claimed Certain Tax Credits
Tax credits reduce your tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Certain tax creditsincluding the earned income credit and the additional child tax creditoften draw scrutiny from the IRS due to taxpayers claiming these credits fraudulently. If you claimed either credit, then that could be the reason why your refund hasnt yet arrived.
When Will My Refund Be Available
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.
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Are Tax Offsets Suspended 2022
The Treasury Offset Program isn’t suspended, but the IRS will wait until November 2022, before it offsets tax refunds for student loan debt owed to the Department of Education. If your money is taken for unpaid taxes, child-support, etc., you can try to get it back by requesting a tax refund offset reversal.
It’s Been Over 21 Days And I Have Not Received My Refund Is There Something Wrong
If you e-filedyour tax returns, you can also click here e-file status lookup tool to checkyour e-file status. If you filed it successfully, you should see Pending, Accepted or Rejected.
We knowyou’d like your refund as fast as possible, but we have no control over howfast the IRS or your state returns your money to you. We’reunable to track down, research, or expedite your refund, because those actionsare only done by the government–you’ll have to contact the IRS or your statetax office for help.
TheIRS releases most refunds within 21 calendar days after the e-file hasbeen accepted ,not 21 days from the e-filing date.
If the return has been processing formore than 21 days you can call the IRS…..
Whencalling the IRS don’t choose the first option re:”Refund”, or it will send you to an automated phone line.
Soafter first choosing your language, then don’t chooseOption 1 . Choose option 2 for “personal incometax” instead.
Thenpress 1 for “form, tax history, or payment”.
Thenpress 4 “for all other questions.”
Thenpress 2 “for all other questions.” It should then transfer youto an agent.
Or youcan contact your local IRS office. See this IRS website for local IRSoffices –
If youstill haven’t received your refund or your refund is less than you expected, it’s possible you may have a Refund Offset.
· For mailed returns, allow 5-6 weeks from the postmarkdate.
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Why Is My Refund Different Than The Amount On The Tax Return I Filed
All or part of your refund may have been used to pay off past-due federal tax, state income tax, state unemployment compensation debts, child support, spousal support, or other federal nontax debts, such as student loans. To find out if you may have an offset or if you have questions about an offset, contact the agency to which you owe the debt.
We also may have changed your refund amount because we made changes to your tax return. This may include corrections to any incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit or Child Tax Credit amounts. Youll get a notice explaining the changes. Wheres My Refund? will reflect the reasons for the refund offset or different refund amount when it relates to a change in your tax return.
Tax Topic 203, Refund Offsets for Unpaid Child Support, Certain Federal and State Debts, and Unemployment Compensation Debts has more information about refund offsets.
How Should You Request To Receive Your Refund
The IRS gives you three options for receiving your refund:
- Deposit into U.S. Savings Bonds
You can also apply a refund to any future taxes owed. This is a popular choice among some small business owners who are required to pay estimated taxes.
Of the three refund options available to you, direct deposit is the fastest and safest option. You can receive your refund via an ACH bank transaction in as little as a few days. Paper checks, however, can take over a week to process, several days to travel via the postal system, and several days to clear your bank.
*Note:Some tax software companies also offer the option of receiving a tax refund on a prepaid debit card. Im not particularly fond of this option, but it is available to some tax filers. In this case, the refund is first sent to the tax preparation company, then they issue you the prepaid debit card.
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