With millions of tax refunds being processed, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers they can get fast answers about their refund by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool available on IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app.
More than 70 percent of taxpayers will receive a refund this year. The Internal Revenue Service issues nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days, and the fastest way to get a refund is to use IRS e-file and direct deposit.
Questions about tax refunds are the most frequent reason people call the IRS. But the time around Presidents Day is a peak period for telephone calls to the IRS, resulting in longer than normal hold times. IRS telephone assistors can only research a refund’s status if it has been 21 days or more since the taxpayer filed electronically, six weeks since they mailed a paper return or if “Where’s My Refund?” directs a taxpayer to call.
Taxpayers can check their personal refund status 24 hours a day by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool. All that is needed is the taxpayer’s Social Security number, tax filing status (single, married, head of household) and an exact amount of the tax refund claimed on the return. Alternatively, taxpayers may call 800-829-1954 for the same information. Within 24 hours of filing a return electronically, the tool can tell taxpayers that their returns have been received. That time extends to four weeks if a paper return is mailed to the IRS, which is another reason to use IRS e-file and direct deposit.
Once the tax return is processed, “Where’s My Refund?” will tell a taxpayer when their refund is approved and provide a date when they can expect to receive it. “Where’s My Refund?” is updated once daily, usually overnight, so checking it more often will not produce a different result.
By law, the IRS cannot release refunds containing the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February. “Where’s My Refund?” will be updated Saturday February 22, 2020 with projected deposit dates for most early filers who claimed the EITC/ACTC. So EITC /ACTC filers will not see an update to their refund status for several days after February 15 this year. Please be advised these taxpayers will not see a refund date on “Where’s My Refund?” or through their software packages until then. EITC/ACTC refunds should be available in taxpayer bank accounts and debit cards by the first week of March, if taxpayers used direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax returns.
The IRS, tax preparers and tax software will not have additional information on refund dates, so Where’s My Refund? remains the best way to check the status of a refund. Where’s My Refund? is only updated once daily, usually overnight, so you don’t need to check the status more often.
Follow your Account Transcripts at IRS.gov/GetTranscripts
Taxpayers can not receive a tax refund until an 846 Refund issued code has posted to the taxpayers account transcript.
Please Remember not all refunds will get approved in the first batch
This Friday, February 21, 2020 IRS “Get transcripts” tool will be updated with Feb. 26 Direct Deposit Dates. Taxpayers that update with the 846 Refund Issued Code on their transcripts Feb. 21 will receive funds in the first batch of direct deposits dates that will show up on Where’s My Refund early Saturday morning Feb. 22, 2020.
What if I do not get a date February 22, 2020?
If you do not get a date in the first batch don’t stress they can’t approve everyone in the same day. There will be more refunds approved the following Saturday, February 29, 2020. Check your transcripts a few times a week and watch for an 846 Refund Issued code to post to your account transcript.
