You're getting a tax refund, so you filed early. So where's your check?
Well, you can stop bugging your mail carrier. There are more productive
ways to track down your Internal Revenue Service cash.
Now you can go online, call a special toll-free number or even use your
smartphone to check your refund status. The tracking options work regardless
of whether you're awaiting a check in the mail or you've instructed
the IRS to directly deposit your tax cash into one or multiple accounts.
The waiting game
Since 2003, taxpayers have been able to use the IRS' "Where's
My Refund?" Web page to track down refunds directly from their own
computers.
But exactly when you need this service depends on how you filed your tax
return. The IRS says you can find out exactly where in the system your
return is within 24 hours after the agency has received your e-filed tax
return. If you mailed your return, you must wait four weeks before you
can track it via the online search tool.
However, the IRS recommends that taxpayers not call too early or too often.
The agency says that refunds are generally issued within 21 days after
receipt of a tax return and taxpayers should call only if they've
been waiting longer than that. The best times to call, according to the
IRS, are evenings and weekends. Also, one call a day should be sufficient
since the system is updated just once every 24 hours.
However, if it's been more than three weeks since you filed and you're
still waiting for your refund, it's time to log on and locate your money.
Necessary tracking data
To get started, you'll need your Social Security number, the filing
status entered on your return and the amount you're expecting. Joint-return
filers should enter the name and tax ID number of the spouse shown first
on the return.
And don't do any rounding on the refund amount entry. The tracking
program wants precise dollars and cents.
If you have any questions about exactly what information the IRS wants
here, the "Where's My Refund?" program has links that will
open up new screens with explanations of where you can find the information
on your copy of your tax return.
After you've entered the necessary data, click and wait for the good
news that your check is in the mail.
Dialing for tax dollars
If you don't have access to a computer or simply prefer using a telephone,
you still can call the IRS to track down your refund.
A special automated toll-free line is dedicated to refund status reports.
When you call (800) 829-1954, you'll need the same information the
online system requires.
In addition to having a copy of your return on hand, it's always a
good idea to have paper and pen ready to jot down any information, additional
instructions or follow-up phone numbers that you might receive during the call.
And, as with the online system, don't call unless it's been the
requisite number of weeks since you filed.
There's an app for that
The IRS has gone mobile with IRS2Go, the agency's smartphone application.
It allows taxpayers to check on the status of their tax refund.
Once again, you'll need your Social Security number, filing status
and expected refund amount to use IRS2Go.
After you find out what's up with your refund, you can use the app
to sign up for IRS tax updates or follow the IRS on Twitter.
The IRS refund tracking app also has a "contacts" section, with
telephone numbers and hours for the agency's various tax help lines,
as well as links to help you find your local taxpayer assistance center
if you want some face-to-face help.
The IRS2Go app is free at the Apple App Store and the Android Market.
What's the holdup?
Regardless of which tracking method is used, the IRS says that in most
cases a taxpayer will learn his or her return was received and is being
processed.
When the tax check is indeed in the mail, the tracking systems will provide
the date it was sent out or directly deposited to the filer's chosen account.
But even when the news is bad, the online program might be able to offer
some immediate help. If, for example, the U.S. Postal Service bounced
your refund check back to the IRS as undeliverable, the IRS online tracker
now allows some taxpayers to correct or change their mailing addresses
online so they can get their refunds ASAP.
If this option is available in your case, "Where's My Refund?"
will prompt you to take the appropriate steps.
What if it's lost?
Occasionally, though, a tax check actually is lost.
If your online or automated phone inquiry reveals your refund was mailed
but it still hasn't shown up, you can begin an online refund trace
using the "Where's My Refund?" program. This option is available
for filers who are still waiting for refund money the IRS says was mailed
at least 28 days earlier. If this is your situation, the online program
will prompt you to take the next steps.
You also can call the IRS' main help line at (800) 829-1040. But be
forewarned: During the filing season, you're probably in for a wait.
More localized assistance might be a better move. Check the IRS' "How
to Contact Us" Web page for local and regional agency addresses and numbers.
Once the IRS verifies your refund check is lost or stolen, the replacement
process will begin. You might be asked to complete Form 3911, Taxpayer
Statement Regarding Refund, to get the ball rolling.
Check your bank account
The IRS has one final piece of advice for eager filers still looking for
that refund: If you requested direct deposit, check your bank account
regularly.
The IRS will simply transfer the money to your financial institution without
sending you any other notification. It's up to you to find out if
the tax refund is already in your account.
Copyright 2014, Bankrate Inc.
Source:
"Tips for Tracking Down Your Tax Refund":
Fox.com by Kay Bell