You can’t wait for the IRS to deposit your refund into your bank account or send you the check. But there’s a delay and it’s not clear why. Well, it need not be a mystery. You can check the status of your refund using the Where’s My Refund? tool on the IRS website. All you need to do is enter your personal info to learn when you’ll get your refund.
Steps To Checking the Status of Your Tax Refund Online
1. Wait
Once you’re done electronically filing (e-filing) your tax return, give it three or so days before you check the status of your refund. The IRS takes about three days after you e-file your tax return to update the website with your information. Make sure the IRS accepts your tax return.
If you e-filed your tax return, the IRS will send a confirmation to your email if they accept it. On the other hand, if you submitted a paper copy of your tax returns to the IRS via mail, you may have to wait about three weeks before you start the process of checking the status of your return. Still, you may receive your tax refund sooner, as many taxpayers have.
2. Obtain Relevant Information From Your Tax Return
Before you start the process of checking the status of your tax return, you need to have the following information from your tax return at hand.
- Your Social Security Number. It should be identical to the one you entered at the top of your tax return.
- Your Selected Filing Status. This is the filing status you selected. You can find it at the top of the first page of your tax form.
- Your Precise Tax Refund Amount. You can locate it at the end of your tax return.
3. Go to the IRS Website and Open the “Where’s My Refund?” Page
Locate the Where’s My Refund? tool on the IRS website. On it, you will see three boxes in which you’re required to enter the details you obtained in the previous section: your social security number, selected filing status and tax refund amount. Enter the details and click the Submit button to view your refund status.
Alternatively, you can call the IRS toll-free number. If you don’t have access to a computer or the internet, you can find out the status of your tax return by calling the IRS on their toll-free number: 800-829-1954. Like in the previous section, you need to have your social security number, selected filing status and tax refund amount readily available.
5 Reasons Why Your Tax Refund Has Been Delayed
So, you followed the steps outlined in the previous section and have a clear timeline of when your tax refund should arrive. In most cases, your tax refund should arrive within 21 days of filing. Sometimes, though, it delays. Most delays are a result of things within your control. So, learning these reasons for tax refund delays can help you avoid them. Let’s have a look.
1. Typos
The IRS will notice if you misspell your name or fail to correctly enter your or someone else’s social security number on your tax return. These errors may occur due to poor handwriting, so it’s a good idea to take your time when completing the form on paper. The IRS lists these types of typos as one of the common taxpayer mistakes, and they can delay the arrival of your tax refund.
2. Math Errors
Filing tax returns involves several math calculations, and errors made in the process trickle down. Suppose you mistakenly add rather than subtract deductions. This math error will affect other calculations down the line, resulting in inaccurate results.
One way to avoid these errors is double-checking your math. However, a better solution would be to use reliable software to file your returns. The software automates the calculations, eliminates erroneous calculations and prevents related refund delays.
3. Wrong Filing Status
You’re required to select one filing status: Married, Divorced, or Head of Household. The primary purpose of these questions is not to obtain your personal information. Rather, they’re meant to determine your tax amounts, applicable deductions and filing requirements. Make sure you fully understand these options and their implications to choose the appropriate one to avoid refund delays.
4. Incorrect Line Entries
It’s common among taxpayers who file their tax returns on paper forms to enter a number on the incorrect lines. While this may seem like a trivial mistake, it may lead to some major errors. For example, if your entry for alimony received is off by a line, it falls under the business income section.
Consequently, the information in the form will conflict with the information in other forms related to your business income. These discrepancies will delay your refund as it can’t be fully processed until the error is rectified.
5. Filing Too Early or Too Late
If you file your tax returns too soon, the IRS may not have finalized the tax forms required to process your refund. As a result, your refund will remain pending until the IRS’s software is ready. Likewise, you may run into issues that delay your refund if you file at the last minute. Processing delays occur because the system is inundated by a flood of last-minute filers.
Hire Professional Accounting Services for Accurate and Timely Filing
You can avoid tax refund delays related to common taxpayer mistakes by e-filing your tax returns. Furthermore, tax refund processing is quicker for e-filed tax returns. The IRS processes paper returns manually, a process that may take 4–6 weeks.
Working with a professional services firm that offers tax services can save you time and effort to manage your personal taxes. It also helps minimize your tax liability by helping you find appropriate deductions and draft a tax plan or tax resolution.
As a business, a professional tax service helps you navigate the complex process of filing business tax returns. With these services, you can be sure that you file your returns accurately and one time. Visit Basta + Croop to learn more.