Below is the latest table showing estimated 2016–2017 tax season refund payment dates based on past refund cycles and IRS guidelines. It shows the date your refund will be processed and paid based on the week your return is accepted by the IRS. For refund dates specific to your tax filing go to the Where is my Refund (WMR) page or IRS2Go mobile application. You will need information from your tax return to get your specific refund processing and payment dates. Note that Jan 23rd is when the IRS E-file will go live for the 2016 – 2017 tax season. This is when the IRS will start processing electronic and paper tax returns. Even if you submitted before this date, don’t expect refund processing to take place beforehand.

The table below is only for electronically filed returns (e-file) done through online tax software providers and assumes your tax return was in order. I.e accepted by the IRS via the WMR tool and status is equal to “Return Received”. Paper filed returns can take considerably longer and would add 1 to 2 weeks to the time frames below. Again, use the tax refund chart below as a guideline and refer to the IRS WMR tool for specific timeframes related to your return.  Also, note that it could take much longer to get your refund if the IRS deems your tax return submission needs further reviews or your identity needs to be verified. This would add two to nine weeks to the date range of your refund delivery date.

If your refund is taking much longer than the above schedule, and assuming your return was accepted by the IRS, please leave a comment below for the benefit of other readers. I can try digging into the reasons if a few people are seeing delays.

A note about IRS system issues and refund delays: It appears that the IRS is still having issues with processing returns in a timely manner and so a number of people are seeing delays in getting their refunds. Late delays were due to widely reported IRS system issues which constrained the acceptance of new filings and refund processing was dramatically reduced. This was likely the cause behind the lack of movement and disappearing status bars on the WMR and IRS2Go tool. The IRS has said system issues have now been resolved but given the various legacy systems they have and volume of processing I would not be surprised to see continued system problems. The other big issue delaying refunds is the marked increase in tax filing related identity theft and phishing scams. Because of this refund processing is taking longer than expected as returns are more carefully checked and identities verified.

2016-2017 Tax Season – Amended Tax Return Refund Schedule

While the IRS promises to have regular return refunds processed within 21 days for nine out of ten taxpayers, it does take quite a bit longer to receive a refund if you amended your tax return. Generally, you will have to wait for 8 to 12 weeks more for the IRS to process amended returns since they prioritize regular returns. Also, note that the standard”Where’s my refund” service from the IRS does not track amended tax return status’. You need to instead use the IRS tool, Where’s My Amended Return.” You can also access the tool via phone by calling 1-866-464-2050.  Only call the IRS to follow up on delayed amended return refunds after 12 weeks. The number to call is 1-800-829-1040.