The following article is part of CNET’s Taxes 2022 series, which provides coverage of all the best tax software and everything you need to get your return filed on time, accurately, and quickly.
Early filers are already receiving their tax refunds less than one month after tax season started. It typically takes 21 days after filing a tax return with the IRS for refunds to appear in bank accounts.
Even if your refund hasn’t arrived after three weeks, the uncertainty can be stressful. According to CNET, you can start tracking that money once your return has been processed if you want to know when it will be deposited.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS expects numerous delays in processing tax returns, as it did in 2021. This year, the agency advises submitting electronically and setting up direct deposit so you will receive your refund within 21 days, assuming there are no errors. The IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig stated in a statement on Jan. 24 that filing a paper tax return will delay your refund.
When Will My Tax Refund Arrive From The IRS?
Tax refunds are usually issued by the IRS within three weeks, but some taxpayers might have to wait a few months. You may have to wait a long time if you made any errors or if you filed for an earned income tax credit or a child tax credit.
If your return is delayed by a problem, its resolution “depends on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return,” according to the IRS website.
Depending on the method you used to file your return will also determine when you receive your tax refund. You may have to wait six to eight weeks for your tax refund if you filed your return by mail.
Your bank could take up to five days to post your tax refund to your bank account if you received your refund via direct deposit. In other words, if the IRS issues your tax refund check in 21 days while your bank posts it in five days, you may have to wait 26 days for your refund.
Will I Get Any Money Back This Year?
The amount of your tax refund could be boosted by several things this year. In 2021, you will receive a refund if you overpaid your taxes. If you’re a parent, you can also expect to get the remainder of your child tax credit, as well as reimbursements for child care expenses you incurred last year.
You may also get your third stimulus payment when you get your tax refund if you are still missing it.
How Possible Could By Tax Refund Be Delayed?
You might not receive your tax refund for the following reasons:
- Your tax return has errors.
- It’s incomplete.
- Your refund is suspected of identity theft or fraud.
- You filed for the earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit.
- Your return needs further review.
- Your return includes Form 8379 (PDF), injured spouse allocation — this could take up to 14 weeks to process.
The IRS will explain the delay if the its reflects a tax correction to an additional child tax credit, an earned income tax credit, or a recovery rebate credit claimed on your return. A problem that needs to be fixed will be addressed by the IRS, initially, without your involvement. A letter will be sent to you if it needs more information.
Using IRS Where’s My Refund Tool
To check the status of your 2021 income tax refund using the IRS tracker tools, you’ll need to provide some personal information:
- Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number;
- Your filing status (single, married or head of household);
- And your refund amount in whole dollars, which you can find on your tax return.
- It should have been at least 24 hours (or up to four weeks if you mailed your return) before you begin tracking your refund.
If you are using the IRS tool ‘Where’s My Refund,’ visit Get Refund Status page, enter your info and then click Submit. Your refund status will be displayed if you entered your information correctly. In the other case, you may have to verify your tax information and try again. Once you’ve verified all the information, you’ll need to enter the date you filed your taxes, along with whether you did so electronically or in paper form.
There is also a mobile app from the IRS called IRS2Go that checks your tax refund status. Spanish and English language versions are available. Your return will be visible if it has been received, approved, and sent. Your Social Security number, filing status, and anticipated refund amount will be required in order to log in. The IRS updates the data in this tool overnight, so you should check back again the next day if there is no change after 24 hours. Your refund will be processed by the date you receive a personalized date.
If you are looking for return information from prior years, go to your IRS online account to access the information from ‘Where’s My Refund.’ This page shows you the most recent refund that the IRS has on file within the past two years. With your personal account, you’ll be able to see the total amount you owe, the amount you’ve paid, important information about your latest tax return, notices you’ve received from the IRS, and the address you’ve provided.
Different Status of IRS Tax Return Displayed and Their Meaning
You will see one of three messages to explain your tax return status with both IRS tools (online and mobile app).
- Received: Your tax return has been received by the IRS, and it is being processed.
- Approved: Your return has been processed and your refund amount has been confirmed (if you’re owned).
- Sent: Your refund has been processed and will be deposited directly into your bank account or mailed to your mailbox. (Learn how to change the address stored on your file if you have moved.)
How Can I Get Additional Tax Assistance from the IRS?
Although you may be able to check your status by calling the IRS, the agency’s live phone assistance is very limited. It’s not a good idea to file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.
The IRS directs you to its Let Us Help You web page if you need more information. Additionally, it suggests taxpayers seek in-person assistance at Taxpayer Assistance Centers. You can contact your local IRS office or schedule an appointment by calling 844-545-5640. You can also reach out to the Taxpayer Advocate Service by calling 877-777-4778 if you’re in need of assistance.
It is unlikely that you’ll be able to get live assistance, but the IRS says you should call the agency if it has been 21 days since you filed your taxes online, or if the Where’s My Refund tool tells you to contact the IRS. You can call 800-829-1040 or 800-829-8374 during regular business hours.
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My Bank Statement Shows an IRS TREAS 310 Transaction. This Means?
The IRS TREAS 310 may appear when you receive your tax refund through direct deposit. An electronic deposit (direct deposit) in the form of a refund from a filed tax return identifies the 310 code as a refund. TAX REF may also be displayed in the description field for a refund.
In the case of a 449 instead of 310, your refund is reduced for delinquent debt.
How Come My Tax Refund is Mailed to Me Instead of Deposited in my Bank Account?
You may receive your refund by mail for a couple of reasons. Deposits can only be made into accounts with your name, your spouse’s name, or a joint account.
It may be that the IRS is directing more than three refund checks to one account; if that is not the case, you may be receiving multiple refund checks.
Refunds for others must be mailed separately. In addition, your bank may reject the deposit, in which case, the IRS would refund your money as soon as possible by this method.
Refunds are not always automatically deposited via direct deposit. Sign into your IRS account just to make sure that the agency has your correct bank information.
