How Long Will It Take to Get My Tax Refund?

2018-08-21

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How Long Will It Take to Get My Tax Refund?

If you're expecting a tax refund, you're probably wondering, "How long will it take?". Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the timing of your refund depends on several factors. However, we can give you a general idea of what to expect based on your filing method and other variables.

If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, as most taxpayers do, the IRS typically issues refunds within 21 calendar days from the date your tax return is accepted. However, this timeframe can vary depending on when you file your taxes and the complexity of your return.

The rest of this article will explain in more detail the factors that can affect the timing of your refund and provide some tips for getting your refund as quickly as possible.

how long to get tax refund

Many factors affect refund timing.

E-file with direct deposit.
File early in tax season.
Avoid errors and missing info.
Use a tax professional.
Claim Earned Income Tax Credit.
File a paper return.
Get an extension.
IRS backlog and delays.

The IRS issues most refunds within 21 days.

E-file with direct deposit.

If you want to get your tax refund as quickly as possible, e-filing with direct deposit is the way to go. Here's why:

E-filing is faster than mailing your tax return. When you e-file, your tax return is transmitted to the IRS electronically, which means it can be processed more quickly than a paper return. Plus, you'll receive confirmation that your return has been received within 24 hours.

Direct deposit is faster than a paper check. When you choose direct deposit, your refund is deposited directly into your bank account, which means you don't have to wait for a check to arrive in the mail. Most refunds are deposited within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return.

It's more secure than mailing a paper check. When you receive your refund via direct deposit, there's no chance of your check being lost or stolen in the mail.

It's more convenient than mailing a paper check. You don't have to worry about finding a stamp or going to the post office. You can simply file your taxes online and have your refund deposited directly into your bank account.

If you're not already e-filing with direct deposit, you should consider doing so this year. It's the fastest, easiest, and most secure way to get your tax refund.

File early in tax season.

Another way to get your tax refund faster is to file your taxes early in the tax season. The IRS starts accepting tax returns in mid-January, and the sooner you file, the sooner they can process your return and issue your refund.

There are several benefits to filing early. First, you're less likely to make mistakes on your tax return if you have more time to gather your paperwork and review your return before filing. Second, you're less likely to experience delays in processing your return if you file early before the IRS gets too busy.

And of course, the biggest benefit of filing early is that you'll get your refund sooner. If you file in January or February, you can expect to receive your refund within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return. If you wait until April to file, you may have to wait several months for your refund.

So, if you want to get your tax refund as quickly as possible, file your taxes early in the tax season. You can start gathering your paperwork now and be ready to file as soon as the IRS starts accepting returns in January.

Filing early also gives you more time to respond to any questions or requests for information from the IRS. If you file late, you may not have enough time to resolve these issues before the April 15th deadline, which could delay your refund.

Avoid errors and missing info.

One of the biggest causes of delays in processing tax returns is errors and missing information. When the IRS receives a return with errors or missing information, they have to manually review the return, which can take weeks or even months.

Double-check your Social Security number and other personal information.
Make sure the information on your tax return matches the information on your Social Security card and other official documents.
Make sure you have all the necessary tax forms and documents.
This includes your W-2s, 1099s, and any other forms or documents that you need to file with your return.
Do the math carefully.
Make sure you're calculating your taxes correctly. If you're not sure how to do this, you can use a tax software program or consult with a tax professional.
Sign and date your tax return.
Make sure you sign and date your tax return before you mail it or e-file it.

By taking the time to avoid errors and missing information, you can help ensure that your tax return is processed quickly and you get your refund as soon as possible.

Use a tax professional.

If you're not comfortable preparing your own tax return, or if you have a complex tax situation, you may want to consider using a tax professional. A tax professional can help you:

Gather the necessary tax forms and documents.
A tax professional can help you make sure you have all the necessary tax forms and documents to file your return.
Accurately calculate your taxes.
A tax professional can help you make sure you're calculating your taxes correctly and taking advantage of all the deductions and credits you're entitled to.
Avoid errors and missing information.
A tax professional can help you avoid making errors on your tax return, which can delay the processing of your return and your refund.
Respond to IRS inquiries.
If the IRS has any questions about your tax return, a tax professional can help you respond to those inquiries.

Using a tax professional can help you ensure that your tax return is filed correctly and on time, which can help you get your refund faster.

Claim Earned Income Tax Credit.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for low- and moderate-income working individuals and families. The EITC can reduce the amount of taxes you owe, or it can even give you a refund even if you didn't pay any taxes. If you're eligible for the EITC, claiming it on your tax return can help you get a bigger refund.

To be eligible for the EITC, you must meet the following requirements:

You must have earned income from working.
Your income must be below a certain level.
You must have a valid Social Security number.
You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.

The amount of the EITC you can claim depends on your income, your filing status, and the number of qualifying children you have. The maximum EITC amount for 2023 is $6,935 for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children.

If you think you may be eligible for the EITC, you should claim it on your tax return. You can use the EITC Assistant tool on the IRS website to see if you qualify and to calculate the amount of your credit.

Claiming the EITC can help you get a bigger refund, but it can also delay the processing of your return. The IRS takes extra time to review returns that claim the EITC to prevent fraud. As a result, it may take up to 10 weeks to receive your refund if you claim the EITC.

File a paper return.

Filing a paper tax return is generally not recommended, as it takes longer to process than an e-filed return. However, there are some situations where you may need to file a paper return, such as if you have a complex tax situation or if you are unable to e-file.

If you do need to file a paper return, you should be aware that it will take longer to get your refund. The IRS typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to process paper returns, compared to 21 days for e-filed returns.

There are a few things you can do to help speed up the processing of your paper return:

File your return early in the tax season.
Make sure your return is complete and accurate.
Include all necessary forms and documents.
Mail your return to the correct IRS address.

Even if you take all of these steps, it's still possible that your paper return will take longer to process than an e-filed return. If you're expecting a refund, you should be prepared to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks.

Filing a paper return can also increase your chances of making an error, which could further delay the processing of your return. If you're not sure how to fill out your tax return, you should consider using a tax professional.

Get an extension.

If you're not able to file your tax return by the April 15th deadline, you can request an extension. This will give you an extra six months to file your return, until October 15th.

To get an extension, you need to file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You can file Form 4868 electronically or by mail. If you file electronically, you'll receive an automatic extension of time to file. If you file by mail, you'll need to wait for the IRS to process your request before you'll receive your extension.

Getting an extension will give you more time to file your tax return, but it won't extend the deadline for paying your taxes. You're still required to pay any taxes you owe by April 15th. If you don't pay your taxes by the deadline, you may be subject to penalties and interest.

If you're expecting a refund, getting an extension won't delay your refund. The IRS will process your return and issue your refund once they receive it, regardless of whether or not you filed an extension.

Getting an extension can be a helpful option if you need more time to file your tax return. However, it's important to remember that you're still required to pay your taxes by the April 15th deadline, even if you file an extension.

IRS backlog and delays.

The IRS is currently experiencing a backlog of tax returns and other correspondence. This is due to a number of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of staff, and increased complexity of the tax code.

As a result of the backlog, the IRS is taking longer to process tax returns and issue refunds. In some cases, it may take several months for the IRS to process a return and issue a refund.

If you're expecting a refund, you can check the status of your refund on the IRS website. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to speak to a customer service representative.

If you're experiencing a delay in getting your refund, there are a few things you can do:

Make sure you filed your tax return correctly and on time.
Check the status of your refund on the IRS website or by calling the IRS.
Be patient. The IRS is working to process returns and issue refunds as quickly as possible.

The IRS backlog and delays are a frustrating situation for taxpayers. However, it's important to remember that the IRS is working to resolve the backlog and issue refunds as quickly as possible.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about how long it takes to get a tax refund:

Question 1: How long does it take to get my tax refund if I e-file and choose direct deposit?

Answer 1: If you e-file and choose direct deposit, the IRS typically issues refunds within 21 calendar days from the date your tax return is accepted.

Question 2: How can I check the status of my refund?

Answer 2: You can check the status of your refund on the IRS website or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Question 3: What if I filed a paper return?

Answer 3: Paper returns take longer to process than e-filed returns. The IRS typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to process paper returns.

Question 4: What if I filed an extension?

Answer 4: Getting an extension gives you more time to file your tax return, but it doesn't extend the deadline for paying your taxes. If you owe taxes, you must pay them by April 15th, even if you file an extension.

Question 5: What if the IRS is experiencing a backlog?

Answer 5: The IRS is currently experiencing a backlog of tax returns and other correspondence. This is causing delays in processing returns and issuing refunds. If you're experiencing a delay, you can check the status of your refund on the IRS website or by calling the IRS.

Question 6: What can I do to get my refund faster?

Answer 6: There are a few things you can do to get your refund faster, such as e-filing your return, choosing direct deposit, and avoiding errors and missing information.

Question 7: What if I have other questions about my tax refund?

Answer 7: You can visit the IRS website or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to get answers to your questions.

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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about how long it takes to get a tax refund. If you have other questions, you can visit the IRS website or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Now that you know how long it takes to get a tax refund, here are a few tips to help you get your refund faster:

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you get your tax refund faster:

Tip 1: File your tax return early.

The earlier you file your tax return, the sooner the IRS can process it and issue your refund. If you can, file your return by the April 15th deadline, or even earlier.

Tip 2: E-file your return and choose direct deposit.

E-filing your return is faster and more accurate than mailing a paper return. And when you choose direct deposit, your refund will be deposited directly into your bank account, which is faster than getting a paper check in the mail.

Tip 3: Avoid errors and missing information.

Errors and missing information can delay the processing of your tax return. Make sure you fill out your tax return carefully and completely, and double-check your information before you file.

Tip 4: Use a tax professional.

If you're not comfortable preparing your own tax return, or if you have a complex tax situation, you may want to consider using a tax professional. A tax professional can help you make sure your return is filed correctly and on time, which can help you get your refund faster.

Closing Paragraph for Tips

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your tax return is processed quickly and you get your refund as soon as possible.

Getting a tax refund can be a helpful way to boost your finances. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of getting your refund quickly and easily.

Conclusion

Getting a tax refund can be a helpful way to boost your finances. However, the timing of your refund depends on a number of factors, including your filing method, the complexity of your return, and the IRS's current workload.

If you want to get your refund as quickly as possible, there are a few things you can do:

File your tax return early.
E-file your return and choose direct deposit.
Avoid errors and missing information.
Consider using a tax professional.