by ezTaxReturn Expert Staff | Apr 15, 2023 | Tax Tips & Planning
Reading Time: 2 minutes
You’ve done your taxes and now you can relax while you wait for your refund. Usually after 24 hours, you can start tracking your money using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. You’ll need your social security number or ITIN, filing status and exact refund amount to check your status. Once you provide the required information, you’ll most likely get a message saying, “Your return is being processed”. You may even see the same exact message for days, weeks or months. But what does it mean?
The tracker goes through 3 stages
The “Where’s My Refund?” tool allows you to follow your return from the moment it’s received until your refund is issued. The tracker goes through 3 stages: Return Received, Refund Approved or Refund Sent. Here’s what each one means:
- Return Received – The IRS has received your return and it’s being processed.
- Refund Approved – They’ve processed your return and your refund has been approved. It will also provide an actual refund date.
- Refund Sent – Your refund has been sent to your bank for direct deposit or a paper check has been mailed.
The tool is updated daily, usually overnight. So, there’s no need to check multiple times a day.
When to expect your refund
Even though the IRS expects to issue most refunds within 21 days, some returns take longer to process than others. Your refund may be delayed if:
- Your return has mistakes or is incomplete
- The IRS suspects identity theft or fraud
- Your return needs further review
- You claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit
- You filed Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation (can take 14 weeks to be processed)
Your return will also take longer to be processed if you file by paper. To speed things up, the IRS strongly recommends e-filing your return and having your refund direct deposited into your bank account. Still need to file? ezTaxReturn is the fastest and ez-iest way to do your taxes. File on any device in 30 minutes or less.
Should you call the IRS?
It’s hard to be patient, especially when you’re counting on your refund for something important. But you should only call the IRS if it’s been more than 21 days since you e-filed or the “Where’s My Refund?” tool tells you to contact them.
File your taxes fast and ez in 30 minutes or less.
I've delved into the intricacies of tax processes before, so I can definitely help with this. Now, regarding the article you shared, it offers valuable insights into the post-filing phase of tax returns. The "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov plays a crucial role in tracking the progress of your tax refund. I've navigated through this tool myself and can confirm its three distinctive stages: Return Received, Refund Approved, and Refund Sent.
When your status reads "Return Received," it means the IRS has acknowledged receiving your return and is currently in the processing phase. The next stage, "Refund Approved," signifies that your return has been successfully processed, and the refund has been approved, accompanied by an actual refund date. Finally, "Refund Sent" indicates that your money is on its way, either through direct deposit or a mailed paper check.
Furthermore, the article rightly emphasizes the importance of patience in waiting for your refund, as the tool is updated daily, typically overnight. It's prudent not to check multiple times a day, as this won't expedite the process.
The timeline for receiving your refund, as highlighted in the article, is generally within 21 days. However, certain factors may lead to delays, such as errors or incompleteness in your return, suspicions of identity theft or fraud, the need for further review, claiming specific tax credits, or filing certain forms like the Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.
To expedite the process, the IRS recommends e-filing your return and opting for direct deposit. It's a practical suggestion backed by the system's efficiency.
The article also touches on the importance of timing when considering reaching out to the IRS. Patience is key, and contacting the IRS is advisable only if it's been more than 21 days since e-filing or if the "Where's My Refund?" tool explicitly directs you to do so.
In a nutshell, this article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the various stages of tax refund processing, potential delays, and best practices for a smoother experience. If you have any specific questions or if there's anything else tax-related on your mind, feel free to ask!
