Are you one of the millions of people looking for an IRS refund? If you haven’t received your refund and have filed online, and it’s been 21 days or more, you can visit your local IRS office or call them at 800-829-1040. I’ve also added a list of numbers that you can call which could result in faster service.
Also, if you have mailed your return, please allow six weeks for your refund.
Getting Your Tax Refund From the IRS
All refunds are tracked on this link – – – > IRS Refund Status
How to Get Your State Tax Refund
Each state is different, but you can use the navigation below to find more details.
Important: The states of Florida (my home state!), Nevada (second home, sometimes!), South Dakota (where I was born, see a pattern here?), Alaska, Wyoming, and Texas do not collect tax on income so you won’t find them listed. Regular income is not taxed in Tennessee and New Hampshire, but there is a flat tax on interest income and dividends.
How to Get Your Tax Refund Faster
#1: Don’t File a Paper Return.
Filing via paper is a six to eight week process. Instead, do an electronic filing and get yours processed within a few weeks tops.
#2: Direct Deposit Your Refund.
This is much quicker than a paper check and you won’t have to wait for the postal service.
#3: Track Progress.
Simply track and you’ll know within 24 hours of filing what the status is of your refund!
#4: Don’t Wait to Contact Them.
If you do file and don’t get your return in the timeline outlined above, get off your butt and contact them! Visit your local office or call the 800 # I listed above and you will get things in action, rather than waiting for magic to happen. We are human, and this is paperwork involving humans. Things happen.
Why Do People Get Tax Refunds?
Mostly because they overpaid the taxes throughout the year! I’ve done this before, and while it’s not the end of the world, it does cause you to live on less cash flow and you are essentially giving the IRS a loan. There is nothing wrong with that, unless it’s causing you to spend money you don’t have and rack up credit card debt, which in the end will cost you money. Especially if you are doing this with multiple credit cards!
When you get your refund, the money is yours. You can do with it whatever you please. Personally, I like to use these to make an extra mortgage payment or make an improvement to my home. That way it goes towards something equitable, and not to something that’s a desire, and not a need.
I hope this tax refund guide helped. Remember, I am NOT a tax advisor, and always consult a professional before making any investments.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is an Entrepreneur who has covered retirement investing since 2012. He started this website to share his expertise in using his Self-Directed IRA. Most recently he's been advising individuals to diversify into precious metals ahead of a certain recession. He invested with Goldco.