Waiting for the IRS to process your federal tax return? You might be wondering how long it takes for your tax return to come back. If you file electronically, your tax return will usually be processed within 21 days. A paper return can take six weeks or longer. If you include direct deposit information, your refund will come back much faster.
If you’re concerned because your federal tax return is delayed, you can check its status online or speak to an IRS representative. Keep reading to learn what’s going on behind the scenes at the IRS with your tax return and what factors may affect when you’ll see your refund.
How Long the IRS Takes to Process Your Taxes
The main factor affecting when you get your tax return back is how long the IRS takes to process your information. Processing time will vary depending on whether you file an electronic or paper return. On average, processing for e-file returns takes less than 21 days, whereas paper returns can take more than six weeks.
If you want to get your tax refund early, it’s best to file electronically, include direct deposit information, and file early in the tax season.
How Long a Tax Refund Typically Takes
Once your return is submitted to the IRS, processing can be broken down into three stages: return accepted, refund approved, and refund sent.
For electronic returns, you will typically see an email from the IRS within 24 hours confirming that your return has been accepted. For paper returns, you can expect notification in about four weeks. The acceptance stage just means the IRS has verified your personal information and checked that your dependents haven’t been claimed by someone else.
Next, the IRS will take a closer look at the information you’ve provided and either approve it or send a letter by mail asking for a correction or more information. This is the part that takes less than 21 days if you’ve e-filed.
Paper returns take longer because they must be manually uploaded by a human. Once uploaded, the information you provide can then be compared to data in the IRS system. However, submitting a paper return isn’t the only factor that can slow down a refund.
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Factors That Could Slow Down Your Refund
If your return was filed electronically more than 21 days ago and you haven’t seen your refund yet, there could be a number of reasons for the delay, including:
- The return has incorrect or incomplete information
- Your personal info has potentially been used in identity theft or fraud
- The child tax credit or recovery rebate credit may need to be corrected
- The return qualifies for an additional child tax credit, earned income tax credit, or injured spouse allocation (form 8379)
- Your bank or credit union needs additional time to post the refund to your account
If the IRS needs more information or wants a corrected return, they will contact you via mail. Many issues can be quickly resolved, especially if your finances are organized, as in a budget planner app. In the event that you owe money, the IRS will work with you to develop a payment plan. A debt payoff planner can also help you determine how you can pay your outstanding taxes comfortably and quickly.
This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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