
For taxpayers receiving a refund, the wait for the refund to arrive is often long. If tax returns are mailed in, the refund process usually takes four to six weeks. Electronically filed tax returns offer a tax refund in as little as one to two weeks. If you opt to electronically file your tax return and have a paper check mailed to you, your refund will take longer than it will if you choose to have your refund deposited directly into your bank account.
Log on to the Internal Revenue Service website. Choose the E-file option. To the right of the Individual Taxpayers heading, click on Free Federal Online Filing. This will bring you to a page that gives you a list of companies you can use to electronically file your return. Review the list to determine which company you’d like to use.
Click on the link to the company of your choice to enter their webpage.
Enter the information required to file your tax return: your tax information, your personal information and your bank account information where prompted.
Review your completed tax return, choose the option that allows you to electronically file your return and submit your tax return to the IRS for review. If you use the Direct Deposit option, your refund should be in your bank account within two weeks of filing.
Tips
All online tax companies that offer rapid refunds work under the same time frame. They do not determine how long it takes for you to receive your refund; the IRS determines that.
Warnings
Your income tax refund may take longer to be returned to you based on the information you provide on your tax return. If the IRS finds errors, your refund will not be sent to you until the errors have been corrected.
References
- IRS.gov: IRS
- Internal Revenue Service. "Relief for Taxpayers," Page 3. Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Economic Impact Payment Information Center." Accessed Aug. 30, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Filing Season Statistics for March 2020." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "IRS kicks off 2020 tax filing season." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Intrnal Revenue Service. "Tax Day Now July 15." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- U.S. Congress. "H.R.748 - CARES Act." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Where's My Refund?" Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "1040 and 2019 1040-SR," Pages 14, 60. Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Interim Results of the 2019 Filing Season," Page 12. Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Federal Trade Commission. "Filing A Complaint." Accessed Aug. 30, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 308 Amended Returns." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Bureau of the Fiscal Service. "Tax Refund Offset." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Taxpayer Advocate Service. "Refund Offsets." Accessed March 1, 2020.
Tips
- All online tax companies that offer rapid refunds work under the same time frame. They do not determine how long it takes for you to receive your refund; the IRS determines that.
Warnings
- Your income tax refund may take longer to be returned to you based on the information you provide on your tax return. If the IRS finds errors, your refund will not be sent to you until the errors have been corrected.
Writer Bio
Tiffany Raiford has several years of experience writing freelance. Her writing focuses primarily on articles relating to parenting, pregnancy and travel. Raiford is a graduate of Saint Petersburg College in Florida.