Advice on Avoiding Refund Delays

The IRS has released another in its series of reminders to ensure “smooth processing” of your tax returns and avoiding delay in refunds.

Among their tips:

• Have all relevant documents, such as W-2s and 1099s, before filing a return. Taxpayers may also need a copy of their 2015 return. Beginning in 2017, taxpayers using a software product for the first time may need their adjusted gross income from a prior return to verify their identity.
• Under the PATH Act, any ITIN issued prior to 2013 or that hasn’t been used for tax years 2013, 2014 and 2015 will no longer be valid for use on a return as of Jan. 1. Individuals with expiring ITINs who need to file a return in 2017 will need to renew their ITIN. This process typically takes seven weeks but can take up to 11 weeks if taxpayers wait to file a W-7 during peak filing season or send it from overseas.
• Taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit will have their refund held by the IRS until Feb. 15 as part of fraud prevention.
• The IRS always cautions taxpayers not to rely on getting a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.