If you are thinking about your federal tax refund status and expecting your refund in the mail or through a direct deposit, then you are on the right page. Instead of just waiting for the IRS to inform you of your tax refund status, you can now check for yourself. You may even want to look into your state’s refund status to make plans for your finances.
Determining Your Federal Tax Refund Status
In this article:
- Work on Your Tax Returns
- File Your Paperwork
- Get Your Tax Returns
- Wait a Few Days
- Request Your Status
- Call IRS Where’s My Refund Hotline
Work on Your Tax Returns
Are you asking how can I check the status of my tax return? Do you want to talk to the IRS to check on your paperwork? Before you start working on your refund status, you need to file your paperwork.
Gather your W-2 form and calculate your income. The W-2 form has a box for your taxable income. If you put money into a tax-deferred account, then it is lower than your total income. Look up your tax bracket for your federal and state taxes.
Fill out your tax forms for the state and the federal government. Your forms give clear instructions to help you file the paperwork. Look for any deductions that apply to your situation. For example, if you have a child, then deduct the child tax credit from your form. Do not put any deductions that do not apply to your situation.
Double-check your numbers. A simple way to fill out your paperwork is through a tax software program. When you file the paperwork late, fill out an extension to avoid any problems with the process.
File Your Paperwork
Send your tax paperwork to the IRS and your state’s taxation department. If you worked abroad, then file your paperwork with the appropriate government. You will not receive an HMRC tax refund in the United Kingdom unless you have a U.K. bank account and file your taxes according to the laws of the country.
Using tax software simplifies the process. You can file your paperwork online. If you are not comfortable filing your tax returns online, then send the paperwork through the mail. Expect your refund to take more time if you file the paperwork through the mail.
Get Your Tax Returns
Keep a copy of your tax returns. When you file your paperwork online, you will have a copy available to print. You can also request a copy of your tax returns or previous year tax returns through the IRS. You need information from your tax return to request details from the IRS about your tax refund.
Wait a Few Days
Give your state and the IRS time to accept and process your paperwork. You cannot ask where’s my state tax refund until you have submitted the paperwork and given time for your state to organize your information. The IRS asks for 24 hours to process your tax returns if you send it online. If you send your returns through the mail, then it takes roughly four weeks to process your tax return.
Your state refund status depends on your state’s taxation department. Before you ask where’s my state refund, look up your state’s requirements for documentation. They may take three or four days to process your information and document your details. Expect a long wait if you send your paperwork through the mail.
Request Your Status
The final step of determining your federal tax refund status is requesting the data. You have a few options to ask about your refund status. Online requests are a simple way to find out more about your refund.
Use the IRS Where’s My Refund tools for a federal tax refund inquiry. The IRS requires 24 hours after you file your tax paperwork online to process your details. If you sent your paperwork through the mail, then wait four weeks before you use the online tool. Fill in your social security number, the filing status of your taxes, and the refund amount.
Your tax returns tell you the refund amount and your filing status. The filing status is the type of paperwork you used to file your taxes. For example, if you filed a 1040 EZ, then fill in the 1040 EZ into the box. If you filed a 1040 form, then fill in 1040 in the box. Find your refund amount on your tax return and fill in the exact amount. The IRS updates the information every 24 hours, so you will have an estimate of when to expect your refund.
Call IRS Where’s My Refund Hotline
If you are not comfortable using an online tool, then use the IRS Where’s My Refund phone number. Call the IRS at 800-829-1954 to check on your refund status. Tell the representative your information. They need your social security number, filing status, and the refund amount for your federal tax refund status. A representative will explain the IRS refund schedule and how long it takes for most individuals to receive a refund.
State taxes do not have the same process for your refund status. Your taxation department offers different methods of finding out your refund status. For example, you can use the NY state tax number to request your refund status. The NY state tax number is 518-457-5181 for personal taxes. If you live in New Jersey, then use an online tool. The Where’s My State Refund NJ online tool allows you to request your status for the previous two years. You need your social security number and refund amount to request your refund status.
Now that you’ve filed all the needed documents, when can you expect your tax refund? Watch this video by Build Your Tomorrow for the updated 2018 schedule.
Your federal tax refund status depends on when you file your taxes and the IRS refund schedule. By requesting your status through the IRS website, you have an estimate to help you plan your finances. The key is giving the IRS or your state time to process your return before you request your refund status.
Do you know your federal tax refund status? Still have questions? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
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