Waiting for your tax refund can really test your patience.
Unfortunately, we can’t speed up the actual processing time of your tax return once the IRS gets hold of it. However, there are actions we can take to ensure a smoother journey through the IRS database. Let’s take a look at seven steps you can take when filing your tax return this year.
E-File your tax return.
Oh, how far technology has come. You can e-file your tax return worry-free until the April deadline. After that date, you can still e-file until the October deadline. However, if you can’t get it filed before mid-April and you’re not sure if you’re getting a refund, you’ll want to file an extension. Either way, the IRS processing time is quickest with e-filing. Compared to mailing in your return, you could be speeding up your refund by almost a month!
Choose direct deposit to receive your refund.
Many businesses offer a direct deposit option to their employees, so it only makes sense that the IRS would offer the same. After all, it’s your money. This is preferred by many taxpayers, based on convenience. On top of that, waiting on direct deposit will eat up less of your time than waiting on a check in the mail.
Make sure you’re the only one claiming your dependent(s).
This can be easier said than done in some cases. However, if you know someone who could also claim your dependent on their tax return, do your best to verify that they won’t be. Why? A person can only be claimed once per year. If a dependent is claimed by more than one person, then the second tax return to claim them will be rejected by the IRS. If the second person to claim the same dependent appeals to the IRS, the IRS may pull the first return for review, to make sure that taxpayer was allowed to claim the dependent. In either case, this will ultimately delay your tax refund.
On rare occasions, a dependent is fraudulently claimed on an unknown person’s tax return. If your dependent was claimed on another taxpayer’s return and your return was rejected because of this, find out the steps you need to take to resolve this in our other article.
Double check your mailing address.
There are a few reasons why this is an important piece of information to report correctly. First of all, the IRS will typically contact you via mail for required updates on your tax return. You want to make sure that the address you provide is correct to avoid complications.
Secondly, if you choose direct deposit but do not provide the correct bank account information, then the IRS will default to mailing your refund as a check instead to the address listed on your tax return.
Lastly, if you choose to receive your tax refund as a check, then you can expect it to be mailed to (you guessed it) the address on your tax return. If it’s incorrect and undeliverable, the IRS won’t typically go out of their way to reach out to you. In the event of such a delay, you’ll need to contact the IRS again to make sure you receive your refund at the right address.
Triple check all ID numbers.
The IRS has a file on each and every taxpayer who has filed a tax return or has been claimed as a dependent on a tax return. Along with your name, birthday and income amount, they also know your social security number. Of course, it’s important that ALL information on your tax return is correct. However, it’s pretty easy to miss a digit in a social security number. Just be sure it’s correct, or else your return will be rejected.
Wait for all income documents before you file.
It may seem you’re doing yourself a favor by filing as soon as possible. However, you might end up with your foot in your mouth if you receive an additional income statement in the mail after filing. This is not anything to panic about. You can just amend your return, update it with the additional information and re-file it with the IRS. Easy, right? Right.
Just don’t expect an ETA on your refund anytime soon. Amended returns need to be mailed in, and are subject to all the same delays as a return that was originally filed by mail. So it’s better to wait until you’re sure you’ve got all your income statements before filing, to avoid a longer wait afterwards.
Prepare your tax return online.
You can literally do anything online now. Find a date for your cousin’s wedding…by tomorrow night. Recruit a last minute babysitter. Even prepare your tax return! All you have to do is create an account on RapidTax and enter your tax information. Once you get the thumbs up from our tax team, you can wait patiently (by your mailbox if you’d prefer) for your refund!
And the most important step to take…
The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll get your refund. If you have all of your tax records and documents on hand, then you are the only one holding yourself back. Create an account now and follow our steps. Before you know it, you’ll have your 2015 tax refund!
My older son of 21yrs claimed my children. I didn’t want him involved in police bc he’s just home from Afghanistan. I’ve recently found my file that he claimed to have stolen. I keep immaculate records and it’s not fair that he got EIC for my kids and partied it away like it’s free money? Please can I file for 2011?? Thank you, Marianne Inman
Hello Marianne,
The IRS works on a first come first served basis. A Dependent cannot be claimed more than once on a tax return for an exemption or Earned Income Credit. You can dispute this issue with the IRS in order for the IRS to further review this matter. On the other hand, in order to get your 2011 return accepted, you will have to remove your Dependent.
Hi, my fiance claimed our daughter and my son on his taxes 2017, do you think it will be an issue for his refund?
The children may qualify as dependents, but because they are not related to your fiance, the children cannot be his qualifying dependents for the child tax credit, earned income credit or Head of Household filing status.
I filed my return on January 27,2017& I had the orange bars now it just says that my refund is still being processed and that a refund date will post when it is available. What does this all mean? I know that refunds were delayed however, I want to understand why this process is taking so long.
Once your return was e-filed and accepted by the IRS you must allow up to 21 days for the IRS to process your return. Please
keep in mind that if you claimed the EITC or ACTC the IRS will release those refunds no earlier than February 27th.
I’m single no dependents and filled my taxes already when will they get sent out
Hi Lisa,
If you e-filed your tax return without claiming the Earned Income Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, then you should be receiving your refund from the IRS within the typical 21-day time frame. You can also check on the status of your return using the IRS Where’s My Refund tool.
I filed my taxes on febuary 15. Now ive called the irs repetitively and they simply tell me it normal processing being conducted. Well its april 16 and im still waiting. My status bar on wheres my refund disappeared and says we have recieved your refund and its being processed. And ive talked to them and all they say is its a normal review. And not to worry. Im really frustrated. Any thoughts?
And i did not claim anything but my earnings. And no dependents. I just dont understand.
If you have filed a prior year return, it generally takes the IRS 6-8 weeks to process your return. Since you were asked by the IRS to allow more time for processing, you should comply with this request. Current year filings generally take up to 21 days for processing.
Does a rejected tax return state exact issue ? If social security number is incorrect would briefly say that ?
Hi Rahnisha,
If your federal tax return is rejected by the IRS, you will receive an error code. For an incorrect social security number (for the primary taxpayer on the return), you would receive error code R0000-500. This could mean that either the primary SSN or the primary last name does not match what is on file with the IRS.