How can I receive my income tax refund?

When you file your tax return, you have several options available to receive your income tax refund:

• You can request the IRS mail a paper check. If you file by mailing a paper tax return, the IRS generally will issue your refund check within six weeks from the date the IRS receives your return. If you file the return electronically, the IRS generally will issue your refund check within three weeks after the acknowledgement date.
  
  Whether you file by paper or electronically, you can request the IRS direct deposit your refund. If you file by paper, the IRS generally will direct deposit your refund into your account at a U.S. financial institution within four to six weeks. If you file electronically, the IRS generally will deposit your refund into your account within two weeks.
  
  Note: It is extremely important to enter the correct nine-digit routing number and the account number when selecting the direct deposit option. If the numbers do not pass the IRS validation check, the IRS will mail you a paper check. In addition, the account must be in your name. Some financial institutions (banks) do not allow a joint refund to be deposited into an individual account, so if you are married and filed your return with the status married filing jointly, you should check with your bank to ensure your direct deposit will be accepted.
   
• Beginning with the 2006 tax year, you are allowed to “split” your refund in up to three accounts. For more information on split refunds, see the section below titled “What is a split refund?”
• If you file electronically, your tax preparer or tax preparation and filing software may suggest you purchase a bank product which typically sets up a temporary bank account to receive your income tax refund. Such bank products include, but are not limited to, refund anticipation loans (RALs), refund anticipation checks (RACs), gift cards and debit cards. Before purchasing a bank product, it is important to understand the fees associated with these products and determine whether paying the fees is worth receiving the refund just a few days sooner.

What is a refund anticipation loan?

A refund anticipation loan (RAL) is a short-term loan based on your anticipated income tax refund. With a RAL, you borrow against all or part of your expected refund and are responsible for paying the loan in full, even if the IRS does not release your entire expected refund amount. Financial institutions (banks) issue RALs, but preparers and tax preparation software market these bank products. Before you receive any RAL proceeds, the bank first deducts from your expected refund amount fees for return preparation, filing, finance charges, and processing, as well as any amounts owed on RALs issued by a bank in previous years. You receive the balance of the refund by check, direct deposit, debit card, or as a down payment on a good or service. Once the IRS processes the return generating the refund, the IRS transfers the refund directly to the bank to repay the loan.

What is a split refund?

If you choose to direct deposit your refund into your account, you have the option to “split” your refund among up to three accounts (checking and savings accounts) held by as many as three different U.S. financial institutions, such as banks, mutual funds, brokerage firms or credit unions. When filing your return, in order to split a refund into multiple accounts, check the box to indicate a Form 8888 is attached. On Form 8888, Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account, enter your bank routing and account numbers for up to three accounts. You cannot request that the refund be direct deposited into an account that is not in your name (such as your tax preparer’s account).

How can I check the status of my refund?

It is possible to check the status of a refund once four weeks have passed from the date of filing the return or after 72 hours for electronically filed returns. You can either go to www.irs.gov and select “Where’s My Refund” or call the IRS Refund Hotline at (800) 829-1954. Both automated systems require you to enter your Social Security number, filing status and exact whole dollar amount of your refund shown on the return.

Where applicable, the automated system will prompt you when additional features are available to further assist you. For example, “Where’s My Refund” will prompt you to update your mailing address on file with the IRS if the system shows the IRS was unable to deliver your refund. In addition, if you do not receive your refund within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date shown on “Where’s My Refund,” you can initiate a refund trace online.

What If I have a question about the amount of my refund?

Several factors could change the amount of a tax refund. Math errors are one of the leading mistakes on returns and the correction of the mistake can either increase or decrease the expected refund. In addition, if you owe other debts to the federal government or to a state government, the IRS must apply your refund to those debts. Further, the IRS may freeze the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) portion of a refund while awaiting additional information to verify eligibility to take the credit. In such a case, the IRS will release the non-EITC portion of the refund.

If you receive your refund from the IRS but have a question about the amount of your refund, you should wait two weeks. If you have not received a notice from the IRS within the two week period, you can call (800) 829-1040. You can also check “Where’s My Refund” at www.irs.gov to learn general information about an adjustment made to the refund.

What IRS publications are available as a resource?

You can find the following resources on www.irs.gov:

• Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax
• Form 8888, Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account