Tax season is over and now the waiting for tax refund.  Tax refund is issued when you pay more to the state government or federal government than the amount you actually owed.  Taxpayers those who over paid their taxes can expect to get tax refund.  Tax refund is not free money; it’s already paid by the taxpayers.  The IRS says that most of the tax refunds are delivered within 21 days of filing.  Tax filers can be able to track their status of the refund to know when their refund will arrive by using “Where’s My Refund?” tool at IRS.gov or by using the IRS2Go app.

If it has been more than 21 days or more than six weeks since you have filed for the tax refund, then you can contact IRS.  In certain times, IRS may hold onto your refund if you have certain outstanding debts.  Paying those outstanding debts on time will ensure that you get your entire refund on time.  According to IRS, if you use e-file or direct deposit you will get your refund faster.

What factors can delay your tax refunds?

Your tax refund may get delay for any of the following reasons.

  • The numerical errors and mistakes in your tax return can slow down the process of tax refund. This will add days or weeks to the refund processing time by the IRS
  • IRS wouldn’t be able to process your tax return, if you miss to enter any information. This incomplete tax return also will make you to wait for a long time for the tax refund
  • When someone uses your personal information to file a fraudulent tax return and claim refund in your name. In the case of tax fraud you are encouraged to contact the IRS to report the fraud
  • If you transposed a digit in your account number then the refund will be sent to the wrong account. In this cases IRS can’t compel the bank to turn over the money to you
  • If IRS thinks your tax deductions and credits are manipulated or inaccurate, refund will be hold and IRS can initiate a tax audit. You may require a professional or tax attorney to represent you in the audit.

Deadline to claim the Tax Refund

To claim any refund from the IRS you will get three years of time from the date of original deadline of your tax return.  Your refund will expire and goes away forever if you wait longer than the deadline because the statute limitations for refund claiming will be closed.  When a refund expires, the federal government will keep the money and consider it as an ‘excess collection’.  That excess money can’t be sent to the taxpayer but it can be used as a payment toward a future tax year.

It is important to research your IRS account when the IRS takes or holds your refund.  This will help you to get the reasons of the issue and clear up any confusion with the IRS.

If you are facing issues with your tax refund due to IRS audit, it is important to contact a tax lawyer to understand your rights and seek solution accordingly.  IRS Audit Group tax professionals can help you by dealing directly with the IRS to solve the tax refund issues.  Our tax professionals will review your account transcripts to complete the tax history.  Contact us 1-888-300-6670 for free consultation or email us at [email protected].