Approximately 90% of tax payers will receive their refunds in less than 21 days from the day their tax return was accepted by the IRS. Most people who filed a complete and accurate tax return receive their refund in an average of 10-14 days.

Path Act: The IRS is required by law to hold all tax refunds for taxpayers who claim Earned Income Tax…[Read more]

A Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return can take up to 16 weeks to process once the IRS has received it.

Topic 151 – Your Appeal Rights
The IRS works with taxpayers to try to settle tax disputes in an effort to avoid court proceedings through an administrative appeals process. The role of Appeals is to make an independent review of a tax dispute and to consider the positions taken by both the taxpayer and the IRS. The Appeals unit strives to resolve…[Read more]

Topic 152 – Refund Information
Refund Timing

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in the normal time frame: less than 21 days. However, incomplete or inaccurate tax returns may require further review and could take longer than the normal processing time.

IRS representatives can research the status of your return only if:

It’s been more…[Read more]

Topic 153 – What to Do if You Haven’t Filed Your Tax Return
You haven’t filed your federal income tax return for this year or previous years. Regardless of your reason for not filing a required return, file your tax return as soon as possible. If you need help, check our website. We have many tools and resources available, such as the Interactive…[Read more]

Topic 154 – Form W-2 and Form 1099-R (What to Do if Incorrect or Not Received)
If your Form W-2 (PDF), Wage and Tax Statement, and/or Form 1099-R (PDF), Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc., aren’t available to you by January 31, 2017, or if your information is incorrect on…[Read more]

Topic 155 – Forms and Publications – How to Order
Need an IRS tax form or publication? The easiest way to obtain them is by using your computer. You can download and print forms and publications, or order them from our Forms and Publications by U.S. Mail page.

You can also order forms and publications by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) M…[Read more]

Topic 156 – Copy or Transcript of Your Tax Return – How to Get One
Copy of Your Tax Return

There are different ways to obtain tax return information. Most requests can be satisfied with a computer printout of your return information called a transcript. However, sometimes you need an exact copy of a previously filed and processed tax return w…[Read more]

Topic 157 – Change Your Address – How to Notify the IRS
If your address has changed, you need to notify the IRS to ensure you receive any IRS refunds or correspondence. There are several ways to notify the IRS of an address change:

When Filing Your Tax Return
If you change your address before filing your return, enter your new address on your r…[Read more]

Topic 158 – Paying Your Taxes and Ensuring Proper Credit of Payments
If you have a balance due on your personal tax return, paying electronically is a convenient way to pay your federal taxes online, by phone, or from a mobile device. IRS electronic payment options are available on our Payments page and the IRS2Go app. The IRS uses the latest…[Read more]

Topic 159 – How to Get a Transcript or Copy of Form W-2
Transcript

You can use our Get Transcript tool to request your wage and income transcript. It shows the data reported to us on information returns such as Form W-2s, Form 1099 series, Form 1098 series, and Form 5498 series; however, state or local information isn’t included with the Form W-2…[Read more]

Topic 161 – Returning an Erroneous Refund – Paper Check or Direct Deposit
If your refund was a paper Treasury check and hasn’t been cashed:

Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
Submit the check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below. The location is based on the city (possibly abbreviated) on the b…[Read more]

Topic 201 – The Collection Process
If you don’t pay your tax in full when you file your tax return, you’ll receive a bill for the amount you owe. This bill starts the collection process, which continues until your account is satisfied or until the IRS may no longer legally collect the tax; for example, when the time or period for collection…[Read more]

Topic 202 – Tax Payment Options
If you’re not able to pay the tax you owe by your original filing due date, the balance is subject to interest and a monthly late payment penalty. There’s also a penalty for failure to file a tax return, so you should file timely even if you can’t pay your balance in full. It’s always in your best interest to pay in…[Read more]

Topic 203 – Refund Offsets for Unpaid Child Support, Certain Federal and State Debts, and Unemployment Compensation Debts
The Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) issues IRS tax refunds and Congress authorizes BFS to conduct the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). Through the TOP program, BFS may reduce your refund (overpayment)…[Read more]

Topic 204 – Offers In Compromise
Important Notice: Offer in Compromise applications received on or after March 27, 2017, will now be returned without consideration if taxpayers haven’t filed all required tax returns. The application fee will be returned and any required initial payment submitted with the OIC will be applied to outstanding tax…[Read more]

Topic 205 – Innocent Spouse Relief (Including Separation of Liability and Equitable Relief)
Many married taxpayers choose to file a joint tax return because of certain benefits this filing status allows them. When filing jointly, both taxpayers are jointly and severally liable for the tax and any additions to tax, interest, or penalties that arise…[Read more]

Topic 206 – Dishonored Payments
Responding to Taxpayer Inquiries:

My check (payment) didn’t clear. What now?

At times, taxpayers will call the IRS because they received a Letter 608C, Dishonored Check Penalty Explained, stating that their payment was dishonored and returned from a financial institution (bank) unpaid. When this letter is sent out…[Read more]

Topic 253 – Substitute Tax Forms
The IRS provides guidance for the approval and acceptance of computer-prepared and computer-generated tax forms that individual taxpayers and tax practitioners file.

If you want to produce your own version of a tax form, you should first obtain a copy of Publication 1167 (PDF), General Rules and Specifications for…[Read more]

Topic 254 – How to Choose a Tax Return Preparer
If you choose to have someone prepare your tax return, choose that preparer wisely. A paid tax return preparer is primarily responsible for the overall substantive accuracy of your return and by law, is required to sign the return and include their preparer tax identification number (PTIN) on it.…[Read more]