Millions of people look forward to tax refund season each year. This once a year financial windfall helps people get caught up on bills and buy consumer goods that they have been wanting for months.
When your money is delayed, however, you want to know what went wrong with its processing. Rather than wait for the IRS to contact you, you can take these proactive steps to track down your refund.
Check Your Refund Status
The IRS makes available several options for checking the status of your refund. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and follow the automated prompts.
You can also visit the IRS website and click on the Where's My Refund link. The website is available 24 hours a day so you can check your status at your convenience.
You likewise can use the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund's processing. The application is free to download and can be added to just about any mobile device.
Regardless of what method of checking you use, you must have certain details about your return and refund available to get an accurate answer. These details include:
- Your Social Security number
- Your tax filing status
- The whole dollar amount of your refund
If you do not know these details, the IRS cannot access your account or track your refund. If the information you input is correct, however, you can find out if your refund has been received, is being processed, or has been sent to your bank or to your address if you requested a paper check.
It is important to note that you only need to check the status of your refund once a day. Many people make the mistake of checking their status obsessively. The IRS only updates it system once a day, however, typically during the overnight hours.
Learn Common Causes for Delays
If you have not received your return or gotten a solid answer about where your refund could be, it may be time for you to consider some of the more common reasons your refund could be delayed. In fact, the IRS can hold your refund for a variety of reasons.
Many people's refunds are delayed because they have an offset against it due to a debt. You may have an offset if you owe:
- Child support
- Defaulted student loan debt
- Back taxes
- Another qualifying federal debt
After the creditor receives its share of your refund, you will be sent the remainder if any money is left out of the amount.
However, the IRS can also hold your refund even if you do not owe a federal debt. It can delay sending you your refund if:
- Your return is incomplete
- Social Security numbers do not match on your return
- Your address does not match your W-2, 1099, or other tax documents
- Your bank direct deposit information is wrong or missing on the return
If any of these errors are found on your return, the IRS may ask you to verify your information before mailing you a paper check.
Request a Paper Check
After several weeks have passed and you still have not received your refund, it may be time for you to request a paper check. You can request a paper check if your status shows that your refund has been sent, but you have not yet received it.
You can also request a paper check if you suspect that your check has been lost or stolen. To request a paper check, you can follow the prompts on the IRS website. You can also call the toll-free number and follow the automated prompts.
Before you request a paper check, however, it is important that you speak with your bank if you have requested that your refund be direct deposited. While most banks clear funds deposited by the federal government quickly, other banks will hold the funds for up to a week to make sure they clear the issuing bank. You should ask your own bank if it is holding your federal refund before contacting the IRS.
Like most taxpayers, you probably look forward to getting your tax refund each year. If it is delayed, you can take these proactive steps to check where your money is and find out how soon you will receive it.
