Still, the tool is limited, the National Taxpayer Advocate noted in its latest report, because it doesn't explain the reason for a delay or what a taxpayer needs to do to fix a delayed return. Information is updated 24 hours after someone electronically files their return, and the status of refunds is updated once a day, usually overnight, according to the agency. To check, taxpayers will need their Social Security number or Individual Tax Filing Number, filing status and the exact dollar amount of their refund. The IRS' "where's my refund" tool lets taxpayers check on the whereabouts of their refund. Unfortunately, amended returns are often the last priority for the IRS - even more so during a busy filing season, said financial columnist Michelle Singletary. "You really must take every step you can to file electronically, because paper returns literally go into a black hole it takes forever to get them processed," he said. One of them had no choice but to file on paper, which prolongs the issuing of a refund, he noted. Seltzer has several clients who are still waiting on refunds from the 2020 tax year, one of whom filed in late July. It can take up to 20 weeks, or five months, for a return to be processed. Taxpayers who filed an amended return should be able to check its status online with the IRS as soon as about three weeks after the return was sent to the agency. "Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS," the agency said. ![]() ![]() "It's taking us more than 20 weeks (instead of up to 16 weeks) to process amended returns," the agency said on its site. The IRS said it's taking longer to process tax returns for the 2020 tax year, and up to a month longer to process amended returns. I filed an amended return for a past year - what should I do? Seltzer advised taxpayers to start checking their refund status online three weeks after they've submitted their return. The agency on its website "cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills." "You're not going to get your money in two weeks, so don't have unrealistic expectations," said Robert Seltzer, a CPA based in Los Angeles.Įven the IRS is warning taxpayers they may have to wait.
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