When Do I Get My Tax Refund
The answer to when will I get my tax refund depends from year to year.
Generally, the IRS has said that about 90% of refunds are issued within 21 days of when the return was received.
You can check on the status of your refund on the IRS website or at our Wheres My Refund page. Live updates will appear the same day e-file opens. Using this tool, you can easily track the progress of your return as it is processed.
How Long Will My Tax Refund Take
The IRS sends over 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than three weeks.
Unfortunately, a 21-day delivery of your tax refund isnt guaranteed. There are a number of factors including the choices you make when you file that could impact how long it takes for you to receive your tax refund.
You get to choose how you want to receive any refund the IRS owes you. Here are your options:
- Direct deposit into your bank account .
- Paper check sent through the mail.
- Debit card holding the value of the refund.
- Purchase up to $5,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds.
- Split your refund among up to three financial accounts in your name, including a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or SEP-IRA
The delivery option you choose for your tax refund will affect how quickly you receive your funds. According to the IRS, the fastest way to receive your refund is to combine the direct deposit method with an electronically filed tax return.
How To Get A Fast Tax Refund
When tax season rolls in, you can start preparing your tax return online. Once you have it completed, you will be among the first of taxpayers who have their returns processed and their refunds issued.
Keep in mind when you file your taxes with TurboTax or H& R Block, the process is easy. They provide you with the largest refund possible by ensuring that they ask the right questions to find out which deductions and credits you qualify for.
You can also use their free tax refund calculators to see how much your tax refund will be. When you file your taxes online, there is no way that you can go wrong, and many taxpayers can file their federal tax returns free or at a discount.
Read Also: Can Home Improvement Be Tax Deductible
Estimated Irs Refund Tax Schedule For 2020 Tax Returns
In prior years, the IRS issued its refund tax schedule to provide a timeline when you can expect to receive your tax refund. While the IRS no longer publishes a refund tax schedule, we put together an estimate when you might expect to receive your tax refund based on previous years.
|
Date IRS Accepts Your Return |
Expected Direct Deposit Refund Date |
Expected Mailed Check Refund Date |
What If I’m Looking For Return Info From A Previous Tax Year
The Where’s My Refund tool lists the federal refund information the IRS has from the past two years. If you’re looking for return details from previous years, you’ll need to check your IRS online account.
From there, you’ll be able to see the total amount you owe, your payment history, key information about your most recent tax return, notices you’ve received from the IRS and your address on file.
Also Check: Tax Lien Investing California
Figure : Status Of Unprocessed Paper Tax Returns Comparing Weeks Ending May 22 2021 And May 27 2022
| Paper Returns Awaiting Processing 2021 | Individual |
|---|---|
| Total Paper Returns Awaiting Processing | 8,800,000 |
| Paper Returns Awaiting Processing 2022 | Individual | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Paper Returns Awaiting Processing | 10,500,000 | 3,400,000 | 21,300,000 |
The IRS has publicly committed to reducing its paper tax return backlog to a “healthy” level by the end of the year, but it has not provided a definition of “healthy.” “Historically, the IRS has paid refunds resulting from paper-filed returns within four to six weeks,” Collins wrote. “From a taxpayer perspective, returning to a four-to-six-week refund delivery period is a reasonable definition of ‘healthy.'”
Largely because of the likelihood that the IRS will carry a large inventory of unprocessed paper tax returns into the 2023 filing season, Collins issued a Taxpayer Advocate Directive in March directing the IRS to implement 2-D barcoding or other scanning technology to automate the transcription of paper tax returns. “Today, the digits on every paper return must be manually keystroked into IRS systems by an employee,” Collins wrote. “In the year 2022, that doesn’t just seem crazy. It is crazy.” The IRS’s response to the TAD is due on June 27, 2022.
Still Waiting For A Tax Refund Irs Backlog Has Grown To 35 Million Returns
A growing backlog of unprocessed tax returns now stands at 35 million, creating ongoing refund delays for millions of taxpayers, the National Taxpayer Advocate said in a recent report. That represents an increase in the IRS backlog of unprocessed returns from May, when it was holding 31 million returns.
Some taxpayers have recently told CBS MoneyWatch they have been waiting months for their refunds, and have been unable to learn when their tax return might be processed or when they can expect to receive their refund. As the typical refund stands at more than $2,800 per taxpayer, a delay could cause financial hardship, especially for the many households that rely on their refunds to pay bills.
The backlog at the IRS comes after a perfect storm that created perhaps the most challenging filing season taxpayers, tax professionals and the IRS have ever experienced, wrote National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins in the Wednesday report. The pandemic caused the IRS to shut down some of its operations, while it was also given more responsibility from Congress through several new tax initiatives, such as the three rounds of stimulus checks that were distributed by the tax agency.
Some people may be able to weather the delay, Collins noted, but it could impose significant financial hardships on low-income taxpayers and small businesses without much wiggle room, she said.
You May Like: Reverse Ein Lookup
Get Ready For Taxes: Whats New And What To Consider When Filing In 2021
IR-2020-272, December 8, 2020
WASHINGTON The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions in the final weeks of the year to help file federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021.
This is the third in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A special page, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to make tax filing easier in 2021.
This year, there are some key items to consider involving credits, deductions and refunds:
Recovery Rebate Credit/Economic Impact Payment. Taxpayers who received an Economic Impact Payment, should keep Notice 1444, Your Economic Impact Payment, with their 2020 tax records. They may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax year 2020 federal income tax return if:
- they didnt receive an Economic Impact Payment, or
- their Economic Impact Payment was less than $1,200 , plus $500 for each qualifying child they had in 2020.
If a taxpayer didnt receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payment for which they were eligible, they may be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when they file in 2021. Individuals do not need to complete information about the Recovery Rebate Credit on tax year 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR when filing in 2021, unless eligible to claim an additional credit amount.
Irs Tips For A Smooth Filing Season:
Fastest refunds by e-filing, avoiding paper returns: Filing electronically with direct deposit and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year to avoid refund delays. If you need a tax refund quickly, do not file on paper use software, a trusted tax professional or Free File on IRS.gov.
Avoid delays file an accurate tax return: More than ever this year, the IRS urges people to make sure they’re ready to file an accurate tax return. An accurate tax return can avoid processing delays, extensive refund delays and later IRS notices.
Special care for EIP, advance Child Tax Credit recipients: The IRS also encourages caution to those people who received a third Economic Impact Payment or advance Child Tax Credit in 2021. Taxpayers should ensure the amounts they’ve received are entered correctly on the tax return. Incorrect entries when reporting these payments mean the IRS will need to further review the tax return, creating an extensive delay. To help taxpayers, the IRS is mailing special letters about the stimulus payments and advance Child Tax Credit payment amounts. People can also check the amount of their payments in their Online Account available on IRS.gov.
Online options for free help answers to common questions: Use IRS.gov to get answers to tax questions, check a refund status or pay taxes. There’s no wait time or appointment needed online tools and resources are available 24 hours a day.
Don’t Miss: How Do You Pay Taxes With Doordash
Irs Begins 2022 Tax Season Urges Extra Caution For Taxpayers To File Accurate Tax Returns Electronically To Speed Refunds Avoid Delays
IR-2022-18, January 24, 2022
WASHINGTON The Internal Revenue Service today kicked off the 2022 tax filing season with an urgent reminder to taxpayers to take extra precautions this year to file an accurate tax return electronically to help speed refunds.
The start of this year’s tax season which takes place earlier than last year’s February 12 opening signals the IRS is now accepting and processing 2021 tax returns. More than 160 million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be filed, with most before the April 18 tax deadline.
Most taxpayers face an April 18 deadline this year due to the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, DC falling on April 15. Taxpayers in Massachusetts and Maine will have an April 19 deadline due to Patriots Day disaster victims have later filing deadlines in some locations.
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig noted that taxpayers need to take special care this year due to several critical tax law changes that took place in 2021 and ongoing challenges related to the pandemic.
For most taxpayers who file a tax return with no issues, the IRS anticipates they will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct deposit similar to previous years. Last year’s average tax refund was more than $2,800.
How To Check The Status Of Your Tax Return
You should be able to check IRS tax refund status roughly 24 hours after your receive confirmation from the IRS that they have received your tax refund via E-File. You will need to wait at least 4 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:
- Filing Status
- 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 a customer service representative. Note that the IRS only updates tax return statuses once a day during the week, usually between midnight and 6 am. 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
- 6 weeks or more since you mailed your return, or when
- Wheres My Refund, tells you to contact the IRS
Don’t Miss: How To File Taxes Doordash
Irs Reaches Milestone In Reducing Backlog But New Report Shows Major Hurdles Remain
The Internal Revenue Service announced on Tuesday it will have completed processing all original individual tax returns received in 2021 by the end of the week. The update marks a major milestone for the agency, which has been hampered by a massive backlog since the coronavirus pandemic began more than two years ago, leaving taxpayers waiting months to receive tax refunds from taxes filed last year.
But despite the progress, IRS officials admit returns are piling up for this year’s tax filing season.
The IRS started this year with 8 million unprocessed original returns from last year. Typically the agency starts the filing season without original returns to process, a Treasury official said. By the end of this week, there are no more original electronic or paper individual returns from 2021.
The completion of business paper returns filed last year will follow shortly, the IRS said. At the same time, there are still some remaining individual returns from last year that have processing issues that will need to be resolved or require additional information from a taxpayer.
With the completion of original individual returns filed in 2021 being processed, the Treasury official said the IRS is on path to achieve the commissioner’s commitment to the agency being in a “healthy” position by the end of the year, meaning no original returns to process and less than a million other pieces of taxpayer correspondence to get through.
Still Waiting On A Tax Refund From 2021 The Irs Has Good News For You
The Internal Revenue Service says it is days away from a major milestone in its marathon slog through a backlog of pending tax returns.
Video: Heres What Americans Are Doing With Their Tax Refund This Year
That means all taxpayers who sent in income tax returns last year should finally have their return working through the system and a tax refund coming at long last if they overpaid on taxes. The IRS went into the 2022 filing season with roughly 8 million unprocessed returns received in 2021, according to a Treasury Department official.
Completing the individual returns filed last year with no errors is a major milestone, but there is still work to do, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig said. Hes previously said he thinks his agency can get current and in a good place on returns and correspondence
The IRS got behind the eight ball owing to factors including temporary IRS office closures early in the pandemic coupled with layers of extra work from three rounds of stimulus checks, child tax credit advance payments and mid-season tax code changes.
People calling for more IRS funding said the predicament highlights the resource-strapped agencys need for more staff and more money. Long-term and consistent funding for the agency is critical to ensuring the IRS is prepared for future tax seasons, Rettig said Tuesday.
The IRS noted its been trying to plow through the backlog pile while processing this years tax returns at the same time.
You May Like: Do Tax Preparers Have To Be Licensed
Why Gao Did This Study
During the annual tax filing season, generally from January to mid-April, IRS processes more than 150 million individual and business tax returns and provides telephone, correspondence, online, and in-person services to tens of millions of taxpayers. To accommodate new legislation and provide additional relief to taxpayers, IRS postponed the 2021 individual filing and payment deadline by 1 month to May 17, 2021.
GAO was asked to review IRS’s performance during the 2021 filing season. This report assesses IRS’s performance during the 2021 filing season on processing individual and business income tax returns and providing customer service to taxpayers.
GAO analyzed IRS documents and data on filing season performance, refund interest payments, hiring, and employee overtime. GAO also interviewed cognizant officials.
How To File Taxes Electronically
There are multiple options for filing taxes electronically. The Internal Revenue Service helps taxpayers file their taxes for free with its tax preparation service partners. To file taxes electronically for free, you must earn less than the designated income limit. For the 2020 tax returns youll file in 2021, the income limit is $72,000. So if youre making less than $72,000, you can file taxes for free.
Those with income above $72,000 can still file taxes for free using the Free File Fillable Forms. Learn more about how to file taxes electronically.
Recommended Reading: License To Do Taxes
Irs Expects To Finish Processing 2021 Tax Return Backlog This Week
The IRS is rounding the corner on its pandemic-era backlog of tax returns.
The agency announced Tuesday that it expects to finish processing the backlog of individual tax returns the agency received in 2021 this week.
As of June 10 this year, the IRS processed more than 4.5 million of the 4.7 million individual paper tax returns it received in 2021.
The agency said its also successfully processed the vast majority of tax returns taxpayers…
The IRS is rounding the corner on its pandemic-era backlog of tax returns.
The agency announced Tuesday that it expects to finish processing the backlog of individual tax returns the agency received in 2021 this week.
As of June 10 this year, the IRS processed more than 4.5 million of the 4.7 million individual paper tax returns it received in 2021.
The agency said its also successfully processed the vast majority of tax returns taxpayers filed this year. The IRS said more than 143 million returns have been processed overall, with $298 billion in refunds being issued.
To work to address the unprocessed inventory by the end of this year, the IRS has taken aggressive, unprecedented steps to accelerate this important processing work while maintaining accuracy, the agency said in a press release Tuesday.
The COVID-19 pandemic and staffing limitations led to the IRS starting 2022 with a larger than usual inventory of paper tax returns and correspondence filed during 2021.
