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The 2024 tax season officially started Monday, January 29, and this year, as usual, you have until April 15 to file your tax return. But if you’re eager to receive your refund, you won’t want to file at the last minute. The sooner you file, the sooner those refund dollars will be in your account.
The IRS says if you file early and electronically, you’ll typically receive your tax refund within 21 days after filing.
However, if you file a paper tax return, expect delays. The IRS warns that paper tax returns can take six months or longer to process.
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Estimated IRS Refund Tax Schedule for 2023 Tax Returns
At one time, the IRS issued an annual tax refund schedule to let taxpayers know when they were likely to receive their refunds. Though the IRS no longer does this, we’ve put together estimates of when your refund may arrive based on the schedule in previous years.
| Return Filed | Direct Deposit Refund Date | Mailed Check Refund Date |
|---|---|---|
January 29 | February 16 | February 23 |
February 5 | February 23 | March 1 |
February 12 | March 1 | March 8 |
February 19 | March 8 | March 15 |
February 26 | March 15 | March 22 |
March 4 | March 22 | March 29 |
March 11 | March 29 | April 5 |
March 18 | April 5 | April 12 |
March 25 | April 12 | April 19 |
April 1 | April 19 | April 26 |
April 8 | April 26 | May 3 |
April 15 | May 3 | May 10 |
April 22 | May 10 | May 17 |
*The tax deadline was April 15, 2024.
How To Track Your Tax Refund
If you expect a tax refund this year, you can track your tax refund status with the IRS Where’s My Refund online tool or the IRS2Go mobile app.
You’ll need to input your Social Security number, filing status and expected refund amount. The IRS starts tracking your tax refund within 24 hours after e-filing and updates the tool daily. If you filed your tax return by mail, expect longer processing times and delays.
If you don’t have access to online tools, you can contact the IRS by phone at 800-829-1040 to find out the status of your refund.
How To Speed Up Your Tax Refund
You can take certain steps ahead of time to help your refund arrive faster. But once you file your return, it’s in the hands of the IRS—and your refund will be issued on the agency’s timeline.
1. Request a Direct Deposit
According to the IRS, 8 out of 10 taxpayers use direct deposit to receive their tax refunds faster. This option is available whether you file online or with a paper tax return.
If you don’t have a bank account, there are other options, like having the IRS issue your refund on a prepaid debit card. But be warned: Prepaid debit card providers can charge various fees for reloading the card—and other everyday services—so this may not be a good option for you.
2. File Your Tax Return Electronically
Combining direct deposit and electronic filing can greatly speed up your tax refund. Filing electronically requires that you use a tax software program, which can flag errors that may cause processing delays at the IRS. These errors might include an incorrect Social Security number, a wrong date of birth for a dependent or a misspelled name.
You can electronically file your tax return for free using the IRS Free File Program if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $79,000. Most simple tax returns—with a basic W-2, say, and only a few deductions—can generally be filed for free using commercial tax software providers, too, although you may be charged a fee to file your state taxes.
If your tax situation is more complicated—if you sold property, paid business expenses or earned investment or business income, to give a few examples—you should consider hiring a tax professional.
A knowledgeable tax pro, such as an enrolled agent or certified public accountant (CPA), can review your tax return and identify any mistakes that may slow down the processing of your refund.
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Why Haven’t I Received My Tax Refund?
Your financial institution plays a role in when you receive your refund. Since some banks don’t process financial transactions on weekends or holidays, that may delay the refund being credited to your account.
The IRS has said that people whose returns claimed the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit would generally get their tax refunds in late February. But if you claim these credits and the IRS needs more information about your return, it will send you a letter and hold your refund until any issues are resolved.
Also, you can expect a wait for your tax refund if you file an amended tax return. The IRS says it can take up to 16 weeks to process amended returns.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I made a mistake on my tax return after filing?
You can amend your tax return if you made a mistake after filing it with the IRS. Generally, the IRS allows you to file an amended tax return within three years after filing the original tax return (or April tax deadline) or two years after you paid the tax, whichever is later.
You must complete Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to amend your tax return.
Will I get a tax refund if I owe back taxes?
If you expect a tax refund but owe back taxes, the IRS will keep your tax refund to offset prior taxes due. Also, if you owe other federal or state debts, the IRS may withhold your tax refund to satisfy these obligations.
After the IRS processes my tax return, how long will it take for my refund to be credited to my bank account?
If you file your tax return electronically and request direct deposit, you can expect to receive your tax refund within 21 days. You can find the status of your tax refund by visiting the IRS tool, Where’s My Refund?
