How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund Online
So, you were pleasantly surprised to learn that you are getting a refund on your taxes. Congratulations! The question for most taxpayers expecting a return is, "Where is my refund?"
Check Your Refund Status Online
The easiest way to check on your refund is to ask the IRS through IRS.gov. On the home page of the site, you will see a "Where's My Refund?" link. Using the service is fairly easy. You will need a copy of your tax return to provide the necessary information to get the status of your refund. Specifically, you need to provide your social security number, you tax filing status and the exact amount of your refund. The reason the IRS requires all of this information is purely for security purposes, to wit, the agency wants to make sure it is giving access only to the taxpayer. Again, all of this information should be on your return. If it is not, something is very wrong!
Once you submit the required information, the IRS will provide online results typically showing:
1. That the return was received and is in processing;
2. The expected mailing date or direct deposit date of your refund; or
3. Whether your refund could not be issued because of a delivery problem.
In some cases, the results may alert you to the fact that the IRS is reviewing your tax return because of errors or questionable entries. In such a case, it is highly advised that you review your return with a qualified tax professional and make absolutely sure that the return will stand up to scrutiny.
How Long Do You Have To Wait Before Checking?
If you filed your tax return electronically, you should be able to access the status of your refund within 48 to 72 hours. Since the return is coming into the database electronically, it should be assimilated into the system fairly quickly. If you do not file your return electronically, you are going to have to wait three weeks or more before the status of your return can be checked. As you can imagine, the IRS is receiving an enormous amount of paper tax returns and it takes time to organize and enter the returns into the system.
How Long Should It Take To Receive Your Tax Refund?
If you are expecting a refund, the time to issue the refund will depend upon how you filed your return. If you filed a paper return via regular mail, you refund should be issued in six to eight weeks from the date it was received by the IRS. Alternatively, if you filed your return electronically, you should expect to receive your refund in three to four weeks. If you elected to have your refund directly deposited in your banking account, you should take one week off of the above estimates.
About The Author
Richard Chapo is President of BusinessTaxRecovery.com. Visit BusinessTaxRecovery.com to subscribe to a free newsletter offering monthly tax deduction tips for small businesses.
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/11082_business_personal_taxes.php on line 59
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/11082_business_personal_taxes.php on line 59
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'inc/ads-body.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/accounta/public_html/11082_business_personal_taxes.php on line 59
MORE RESOURCES:
 ABC News | IRS offers help paying taxes Washington Post When you have 140 million individual tax returns, "you need to be continually looking at ways to serve people," Shulman said. "This effort continues my ... Time Is Running Out to Collect 2006 Refund Record Number of Tax Filers Owed No Taxes in 2008 IRS Waiting For Claimants To $1.3 Billion Tax Refunds For 2006 |
 Richmond Times Dispatch | Time to go home; bills on taxes, schools and more were completed Henderson Gleaner INDIANAPOLIS — Businesses got a breather on taxes. Schools won authority to shift some extra dollars into the classroom. Taxpayers received the right to ... Local lawmakers back sales tax increase Bolling wades into rules dispute Gregoire calls special session for Monday |
 Boston Globe | Social Security to start cashing Uncle Sam's IOUs The Associated Press For more than two decades, Social Security collected more money in payroll taxes than it paid out in benefits — billions more each year. Not anymore. ... Boomers' retirement offers opportunities, challenges Social Security to start cashing government IOUs |
Govt to release tax review by May budget Sydney Morning Herald The biggest review of Australia's tax system in more than 60 years will be released within two months. Treasurer Wayne Swan announced on Sunday the ... |
Condo buyer's welcoming gift: Bill for taxes owed by developer Chicago Tribune Kenya Merritt has no problem paying the property taxes on her Austin neighborhood condo, but she isn't keen on paying taxes for the developer. ... |
 The Star-Ledger - NJ.com | Christie will propose constitutional amendment to cap tax hikes The Star-Ledger - NJ.com In a budget address on Tuesday, Christie will seek to limit annual tax hikes. TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie will propose a constitutional amendment ... |
Another sneaky Queen's Park tax attempt: Sa Toronto Sun Di Novo calls it a “novel idea” that will not cost any tax dollars. Excuse me? Why shouldn't affordable housing come from our tax dollars? ... |
Marois blasts premier on his integrity Montreal Gazette Proposals put up for discussion included tax measures, like the elimination of payroll taxes, favouring consumption taxes over income taxes and lower taxes ... |
 Salon | Legislative push aims to tax Internet sales in California Sacramento Bee Most Californians probably don't know they're supposed to keep track of all those online or catalog purchases and declare them on their state income tax ... Tax laws need to be fair to small business New tack for taxing online sales Amazon.com Tactics Draw Harsh Criticism |
New Hawaii law lowers huge unemployment tax hike BusinessWeek Businesses in Hawaii are getting immediate relief from the nation's largest increase in unemployment taxes after Gov. ... Lingle signs bill lowering unemployment tax increase |
1031 Exchange Rules and Requirements
Following is a reproduction of the IRS's rules and requirements for 1031 tax deferred exchanges with regards to real property. If you have any questions regarding the sale of your real property or questions about what qualifies for a 1031 exchange or not, please consult your tax professional.
The Tax Man Cometh... To Search
You're at your office, or home, and the doorbell rings - it's the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA").The first thing to do is find out why they've come.
Tax Trap #4 -- The Quagmire of Depreciation
If you are a Small Business Owner or Self-Employed Person, there's one especially lucrative tax break that not only puts money in your pocket, it also makes the filing of your business tax return much simpler.What am I talking about? It's called the Section 179 deduction, and if there's one tax break you need to understand, this is it.
Access to E-records by Taxing Authorities: A Case for Pakistan (Part I)
Background issues of access to recordsTo assess the records at hosted remote retained out of the jurisdiction of Pakistan root many legal issues which are needed to be addressed. Hereinafter there is description of the emerging legal issue of access to e-records.
Tax Tips to Save Money on Taxes - Get the Corporate Kick and Save Loads of Money
Why a Corporation Helps Save You TaxesThe Tax Rates (Notice anything unusual?):The following tables provide a list of the tax rates for individuals and corporations:Personal: $0-$24,650 15% $24,651-$59,750 28% $59, 750-$124,650 31% $124,651-$271,050 36% $271,050+ 39.6%Tax SecretsCorporate: 0-$50,000 15% $50,001-$75,000 25% $75,001-100,000 34% $100,001-$335,000 39% $335-000-$10M 34%If you examine them closely, you will see at least one glaring contrast.
What to Do If You Can't Pay Your Taxes
The end of tax filing extensions is quickly approaching. What do you do if you can't pay the amounts you owe? You should still file your return by the due date and pay as much as you can.
Truly Bizarre Taxes: The Tax on Illegal Drugs
One can never underestimate the enthusiasm that politicians have for trying to hunt up tax revenues. The creativity of some politicians can lead to bizarre taxes and unfortunate results.
Some Folks Pay A Lot Less Tax Than Others On Very Same Income-Did You Pay Too Much Tax In 2004?
Someone once remarked, "Next to being shot at and missed, nothing is quite so satisfying as an income tax refund." There's no question that saving money in taxes is high on everybody's list of financial priorities, especially small-business owners.
Taxation of Forgiven Debt: The 1099C & You
Often people fall on hard times and stop paying on credit cards. After a while the account may go to an outside debt collector who might offer a settlement of the debt for 30-40% of theoriginal sum.
Slash Tax when Buying a Business
When buying a business, how the "purchase price" is made up can affect what you pay in tax. The plan is to make as much of the price tax deductible for you and not the other party.
Need an Offshore Sales Office in a Tax Free Environment?
The 100 year old investment-banking firm of Warburg, Dillon Read (on Park Ave. N.
Where to Find Tax Breaks for Your Home Based Business
April 15th looms in front of most people every year like a big, full moon full influencing a tax based frenzy, but knowing where to find tax breaks for your home based business can make that frenzy a little less frantic and more beneficial to you and your home based business. Finding tax breaks for your home based business is not overly difficult, but make sure you discuss tax breaks for your home based business with the person doing your taxes.
Estate Taxes - It Pays to Plan Ahead
Estate taxes. It's not enough to simply know they exist, and to know strategies to minimize them.
The Annual Gift Tax Exclusion: Getting The Edge
Whether helping the kids with a down payment on their first home, paying the premiums on a life insurance policy in an irrevocable trust, or moving appreciated assets to a younger generation, annual gifting will touch the lives of millions of Americans. But before the transfer is made, an investor should spend some time looking at the investment and the tax ramifications of the property to be passed.
Need a Copy of Your Tax Return Information?
Taxpayers have two easy and convenient options for getting copies of their federal tax return information - tax return transcripts and tax account transcripts - by phone or by mail.A tax return transcript shows most line items from the tax return (Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules.
Small Business Tax Credit - Americans with Disabilities Act
Many small businesses complain when confronted with the expense of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Most do not realize that there are a number of tax incentives available to offset the costs.
How to Maximize Your Home Business Tax Deductions for 2005
Someone once said, 'the best way to calculate your taxes is?Honestly'. For 2005, add 'Smartly' to that and you'll get to keep more than you make.
A Taxing Investment
April 15 - The most dreaded day of the year is right around the corner. Are you ready? Some of the most neglected (and misunderstood) tax issues are those related to your investments.
Tax Audits: What Signs Make You More Likely to be Audited by the IRS?
It's a major fear for most Americans: A notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) summoning you for an audit.What is it about these three letters that strikes a cord of fear in Americans' hearts? Learning the signs that could put your tax return at the top of the list for an audit, and avoiding them if possible, may put your mind at ease.
Tax Investigation - What You Need To Do
The knock on the door from a Tax Inspector is something that every taxpayer fears. Your immediate thoughts will be "Have I been honest with my tax returns or not".