ElectroFile Income Tax Service   Income Tax Service
5200 W Market St
Greensboro, NC 27409
336-852-9505
  Terry Hough, President Terry Hough
President
See our other newsletters at ElectroFile Income Tax Service Newsletters

February 17, 2016

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that it issues 90 percent of refunds in less than 21 days. The best way to check the status of a refund is online through the “ Where’s My Refund? ” tool at IRS.gov.

"More and more taxpayers want to know when they can expect their refunds," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. "There aren't any secret tricks to checking on the status of a refund. Using IRS.gov is the best way for taxpayers to get the latest information."

Many taxpayers are eager to know precisely when their money will be arriving, but checking " Where's My Refund? " more than once a day will not produce new information. The status of refunds is refreshed only once a day, generally overnight.

"Where’s My Refund?" has the most up to date information available about your refund. Taxpayers should use this tool rather than calling the IRS.

Taxpayers can use “Where’s My Refund?” to start checking on the status of their return within 24 hours after IRS has received an e-filed return or four weeks after receipt of a mailed paper return. "Where’s My Refund?" has a tracker that displays progress through three stages: (1) Return Received, (2) Refund Approved and (3) Refund Sent.

Users of the “ Where’s my Refund? ” tool must have information from their current, pending tax return to access their refund information.

The copy of your tax return provided to you by ElectroFile includes the needed information:
  1. the Taxpayer's Social Security Number
  2. the Filing Status on the return
  3. the expected Refund Amount

The IRS reminded taxpayers there's no advantage to calling about refunds. IRS representatives can only research the status of your refund in limited situations: if it has been 21 days or more since you filed electronically, more than six weeks since you mailed your paper return, or "Where’s My Refund?" directs you to contact us. If the IRS needs more information to process your tax return, we will contact you by mail.

The IRS continues to strongly encourage the use of e-file and direct deposit as the fastest and safest way to file an accurate return and receive a tax refund. More than four out of five tax returns are expected to be filed electronically, with a similar proportion of refunds issued through direct deposit.