UnWrapNews.com

News of USA, News Of America

Where’s my tax refund? There’s an app for that. Here’s what to know.

Where’s my tax refund? There’s an app for that. Here’s what to know.

Tax season officially kicked off on Monday, and with the launch of the IRS’s new free Direct File service, more taxpayers than ever are likely to file their own returns this year.

For the 2023 season, the IRS processed over 163 million returns, with an average refund of $3,170—slightly up from last year’s average of $3,145.

As inflation continues to affect everything from grocery bills to gas prices, many Americans are hoping for an even bigger refund this year. And just like checking on a pizza order, it’s hard not to wonder when your refund will show up. Thankfully, there’s a tool for that: the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” service.

This tool allows taxpayers to track the status of their refund—from when the IRS receives their return to when the refund is sent. Here’s how to use it:

What is “Where’s My Refund?” and how does it work?

The “Where’s My Refund?” tool is an IRS system that provides updates on your tax refund status. You can log in via the IRS website or the IRS2Go mobile app to check daily for updates. Your information will update once per day, usually overnight, and you will see one of the following statuses:

  • Return Received – The IRS has received your return and is processing it.
  • Refund Approved – Your refund has been approved and will be issued by a date shown on the screen.
  • Refund Sent – The IRS has sent your refund either via direct deposit or mail. It may take 5 days for a direct deposit to show up in your account, or several weeks for a check to arrive.

 

How to sign up for “Where’s My Refund?”

To get started, visit www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund or download the IRS2GoApp in English or Spanish from Google Play, the Apple App Store, or Amazon App Store. You’ll need the following information to sign in and check your status:

  • Your Social Security or Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN)
  • Your filing status (single, married, joint, etc.)

Key tax season deadlines to remember:

  • Jan. 31: Deadline for employers to send W-2 forms and certain 1099 tax documents (like 1099-NEC for self-employed income).
  • Feb. 18: Deadline to submit a new W-4 form if you claim exemptions on your income taxes.
  • April 15: Tax Day filing deadline for federal and most state tax returns. It’s also the deadline to request an extension or make HSA and IRA contributions for tax year 2024.

For e-filers, tax refunds typically arrive within about 21 days. If you’re receiving your refund via mail, it can take 6 to 8 weeks from when the IRS receives your return.

Additionally, the IRS’s new Direct File service, launching for the 2024-2025 tax season, will allow taxpayers in 25 states to file for free if they meet income eligibility requirements.

Now, if you’re tracking your refund, keep in mind:

  • Refund statuses will update 24 hours after you e-file for a current-year return.
  • It may take 3-4 days for a prior-year return.
  • For paper returns, it can take up to 4 weeks for updates.

Stay on top of your refund status and make sure to file before the April deadline!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *