TAXLITIGATOR – Tax Controversy (Civil & Criminal) Report

IRS has released  another Tax Time Guide, sixth in a series of 10 tips, reminding individuals that they can check the status of their tax returns and refunds through “Where’s My Refund?” which is available at IRS.gov or on the smartphone application IRS2Go. Taxpayers that they can quickly check the status of their tax return and refund through “Where’s My Refund?” on IRS.gov. These Tax Time Guides are designed to assist taxpayers with common tax issues as the April 18 tax deadline approaches.

2016 Individual Return Filing Deadline – April 18, 2016. The filing deadline to submit 2015 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2016, rather than the traditional April 15 date. Washington, D.C., will celebrate Emancipation Day on that Friday, which pushes the deadline to the following Monday for most of the nation. (Due to Patriots Day, the deadline will be Tuesday, April 19, in Maine and Massachusetts.)

Direct Deposits. The fastest way to get your tax refund is to have it electronically deposited for free into your financial account. The IRS program is called direct deposit. You can use it to deposit your refund into one, two or even three accounts.

Taxpayers who have not yet received their refunds can use “Where’s My Refund?”on IRS.gov or on the smartphone application IRS2Go to find out about the status of their income tax refunds. Most refunds are scheduled to be issued within 21 days following the electronic filing of a return. Obviously, all refunds are not issued within that scheduled timeframe. Issues regarding identity theft refund fraud have considerably slowed the refund process and taxed already limited IRS resources.

Initial information will normally be available within 24 hours after the IRS receives the taxpayer’s e-filed return or four weeks after the taxpayer mails a paper return to the IRS. The system updates only once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so there’s no need to check more often.

When Where’s My Refund? shows the status of your refund as “Refund Approved” it means the IRS has processed your return, your refund has been approved and the IRS is preparing to send your refund to your bank or directly to you in the mail if you requested a paper check. This status will tell you when your refund is scheduled to be sent to your bank and, if you elected the direct deposit option, a date by which it should be credited to your account. The IRS suggests you wait until it’s been five days from the date they sent the refund to your bank to check with your bank about the status of your refund. This time frame is provided to allow for the variations in how and when banks deposit funds.

So far in 2016, taxpayers have used “Where’s My Refund?” more than 231 million times this year, an increase of nearly 35 percent over last year at this time. Additional 2016 tax refund questions are answered at “2016 Tax Refund frequently Asked Questions.”

Taxpayers should have their Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount when accessing “Where’s My Refund?” Those without Internet access can access this tool by calling 800-829-1954, 24 hours a day.

This is the sixth in a series of 10 IRS tips called the Tax Time Guide. These tips are designed to help taxpayers navigate common tax issues as this year’s April 18 deadline approaches. Other IRS Tips include:

1. Tax Time Guide: Good Records Key to Claiming Gifts to Charity
   IR-2016-50, March 28, 2016 ― The IRS today reminded taxpayers planning to claim charitable donations to make sure they have the records they need before filing their 2015 tax returns.
2. Tax Time Guide: Many Home-Based Businesses Can Use Simplified Method for Claiming Home Office Deduction; Taxpayers May Deduct up to $1,500 a Year
   IR-2016-47, March 23, 2016 — The IRS today reminded people with home-based businesses filling out their 2015 federal income tax returns that they can choose a simplified method for claiming the deduction for business use of a home.
3. Tax Time Guide: Online Tools Help Taxpayers Choose a Qualified Tax Professional
   IR-2016-46, March 22, 2016 — The IRS today reminded taxpayers of options available to them on IRS.gov to get information and tips about selecting qualified tax professionals.
4. Tax Time Guide: Updated Tax Guide Helps People with Their 2015 Taxes
   IR-2016-44, March 18, 2016 — Taxpayers can get the most out of various tax benefits and get useful tips from IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax.
5. IRS Releases Tax Time Guide: Use IRS.gov Tools for Quicker Answers
   IR-2016-43, March 17, 2016 — With a month left before the tax deadline, the IRS today encouraged taxpayers working on their 2015 tax returns to take advantage of the numerous online tools and resources available on IRS.gov.