If you count yourself among the millions of Americans who file your federal taxes electronically using a software program or IRS E-File, then you are probably wondering when you will receive your federal tax refund. Thankfully, the IRS is one step ahead of you – they release an E-File schedule each year that lists when you will receive your tax refund.
Learn how military members can file taxes for free.
When you receive your refund depends on how and when you file.
IRS E-File Schedule for Check Refunds and Direct Deposits
The following table was released by the IRS (source) to help tax payers know when they should receive their tax refund. It works like this:
- Use the left hand column to look up the date your tax refund was accepted
- Use the middle or right column to look up when you should receive your refund (depending on how you requested your refund – direct deposit or paper check).
How to use this chart: If you filed your taxes with E-File, you should receive a confirmation that your tax return was accepted by the IRS. This date will go in the left column. If you didn’t file your taxes electronically, then this chart may not be useful for you for two reasons: you won’t have a confirmation date regarding when your tax return was accepted, and paper tax returns are manually entered by IRS employees, so the process takes longer.
You will also note that this chart covers dates beyond the traditional filing date. If you file after April 15, 2012, then you should file a tax extension request. It’s simple, and can potentially save you a lot of money in penalties. Note: Some military members may be eligible for additional tax deadline extensions if they were deployed or served overseas during the tax year.
| Tax Return Accepted By IRS before 11:00 am between… | Direct Deposit Sent | Paper Check Mailed |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 17 and Jan 18, 2012 | Delayed 1-2 weeks* | Delayed 1-2 weeks* |
| Jan 19 and Jan 25, 2012 | Delayed 1-2 weeks* | Delayed 1-2 weeks* |
| Jan 26 and Feb 1, 2012 | Feb 8, 2012 | Feb 10, 2012 |
| Feb 2 and Feb 8, 2012 | Feb 15, 2012 | Feb 17, 2012 |
| Feb 9 and Feb 15, 2012 | Feb 22, 2012 | Feb 24, 2012 |
| Feb 16 and Feb 22, 2012 | Feb 29, 2012 | Mar 2, 2012 |
| Feb 23 and Feb 29, 2012 | Mar 7, 2012 | Mar 9, 2012 |
| Mar 1 and Mar 7, 2012 | Mar 14, 2012 | Mar 16, 2012 |
| Mar 8 and Mar 14, 2012 | Mar 21, 2012 | Mar 23, 2012 |
| Mar 15 and Mar 21, 2012 | Mar 28, 2012 | Mar 30, 2012 |
| Mar 22 and Mar 28, 2012 | Apr 4, 2012 | Apr 6, 2012 |
| Mar 29 and Apr 4, 2012 | Apr 11, 2012 | Apr 13, 2012 |
| Apr 5 and Apr 11, 2012 | Apr 18, 2012 | Apr 20, 2012 |
| Apr 12 and Apr 18, 2012 | Apr 25, 2012 | Apr 27, 2012 |
| Apr 19 and Apr 25, 2012 | May 2, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| Apr 26 and May 2, 2012 | May 9, 2012 | May 11, 2012 |
| May 3 and May 9, 2012 | May 16, 2012 | May 18, 2012 |
| May 10 and May 16, 2012 | May 23, 2012 | May 25, 2012 |
| May 17 and May 23, 2012 | May 30, 2012 | Jun 1, 2012 |
| May 24 and May 30, 2012 | Jun 6, 2012 | Jun 8, 2012 |
| May 31 and Jun 6, 2012 | Jun 13, 2012 | Jun 15, 2012 |
| Jun 7 and Jun 13, 2012 | Jun 20, 2012 | Jun 22, 2012 |
| Jun 14 and Jun 20, 2012 | Jun 27, 2012 | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Jun 21 and Jun 27, 2012 | Jul 4, 2012 | Jul 6, 2012 |
| Jun 28 and Jul 4, 2012 | Jul 11, 2012 | Jul 13, 2012 |
| Jul 5 and Jul 11, 2012 | Jul 18, 2012 | Jul 20, 2012 |
| Jul 12 and Jul 18, 2012 | Jul 25, 2012 | Jul 27, 2012 |
| Jul 19 and Jul 25, 2012 | Aug 1, 2012 | Aug 3, 2012 |
| Jul 26 and Aug 1, 2012 | Aug 8, 2012 | Aug 10, 2012 |
| Aug 2 and Aug 8, 2012 | Aug 15, 2012 | Aug 17, 2012 |
| Aug 9 and Aug 15 , 2012 | Aug 22, 2012 | Aug 24, 2012 |
| Aug 16 and Aug 22, 2012 | Aug 29, 2012 | Aug 31, 2012 |
| Aug 23 and Aug 29, 2012 | Sep 5, 2012 | Sep 7, 2012 |
| Aug 30 and Sep 5, 2012 | Sep 12, 2012 | Sep 14, 2012 |
| Sep 6 and Sep 12, 2012 | Sep 19, 2012 | Sep 21, 2012 |
| Sep 13 and Sep 19, 2012 | Sep 26, 2012 | Sep 28, 2012 |
| Sep 20 and Sep 26, 2012 | Oct 3, 2012 | Oct 5, 2012 |
| Sep 27 and Oct 3, 2012 | Oct 10, 2012 | Oct 12, 2012 |
| Oct 4 and Oct 10, 2012 | Oct 17, 2012 | Oct 19, 2012 |
| Oct 11 and Oct 17, 2012 | Oct 24, 2012 | Oct 26, 2012 |
*Please see note at end of article regarding tax refund delays.
Keep in mind it may take a few days for your financial institution to make your deposit available to you, or it may take several days for the check to arrive in the mail. Keep this in mind when planning to use your tax refund. The IRS states to allow for 5 additional days for the funds to become available to you. In almost all cases a direct deposit will get you your tax refund more quickly. Another interesting point is that the IRS published July 4th as an automatic deposit date, which is a national holiday. You may experience delays if your refund was scheduled to be deposited on that date.
Refund Schedule for Extensions and Amended Tax Returns
The refund schedule should be the same if you filed for a tax extension, however, there is no official schedule for tax refunds for amended tax returns. The above list only includes dates for e-filing an original tax return. Amended tax returns are processed manually, and often take 8-12 weeks to process. If you do not receive an amended tax return refund within 8 weeks after you file it, then you should contact the IRS to check on the status.
How to check the status of your tax return
You should be able to check the status of your tax refund roughly 72 hours after your receive confirmation form the IRS that they have received your tax refund via E-File. The best way to check the status of your federal tax refund is to visit the Where’s My Refund page at the IRS website, or, call 1-800-829-1954, or 1-800-829-4477, or 1-800-829-1040 and inquire about your tax return status with an IRS a customer service representative.
Get a Larger Tax Refund Next Year
If you want a bigger tax refund next year, then there are a few ways you can increase the amount of money the government will give you as a tax refund. One of the easiest ways is by opening a Traditional IRA, which allows you to deduct up to an additional $5,000 on your taxes each year (up to $6,000 if you are age 50 or older!). You can open an IRA in a variety of locations, including banks, brokerage firms, independent advisors, and more. If you are looking for a great place to compare different options, then I recommend visiting the Mint.com IRA Center, where you can compare various IRA options.
Update: IRS Announces Some Tax Refunds Will Be Late
The IRS recently upgraded their computer systems to prevent tax refund fraud. This only affects people who filed before January 26 of this year. Find out if your tax refund will be late.
Comments
I filed on the 5th, it said it would be in on the 28th. Next it said the 21st. Lastley it said dd on the 29th and it still hasn’t showed:(
Yeah, that’s that BS right there. Mines has been stuck on April 3rd for a few days. I hope there is not a sudden change again. I’d be veeerry salty.
I just checked WMR and they changed my date to a
DD of 3/7 instead of 3/13. So here we go again, after many date changes, we’ll see what happens. I’m going to call my bank and ask them how long does it take to process in your account,
My DD was March 13th. On the 13th they changed it due to some BS problem. Now I am April 24th. 8 weeks for a electronic return!
I field my taxes on Jan23,2012 and i receive my state back on Feb 4, 2012 but have not receive my federal. I paid my taxes dont owe any taxes, so what is the hold up. This lump sum only comes once a year, so why is the government holding on to my money. My car was hit, and the whole driver side including the mirror is damage(knocked off) i need my money to get another car, but havent receive my federal refund. Is there such a law from with holding people money. Everyone i know receive their taxes back but me and it has been 40 long days. Do the government see how high this gas is? I need my money. Am i the only one
No, you are not the only one. I also filed 1/22/2012 and was told it would be mailed 2/10/2012, well as of today 3/5, I still do not have it. I am able to put a trace on it as of 3/9/2012, but I am really wondering what could that possibly do. Either it hasn’t really been mailed or someone else has it, and I will still have to wait for the to do their fraud investigation. In any event I am in need also, but I guess all any of us can do is hurry up and wait.
Is WMR the only site that will give u a DD date?
I was scheduled to receive my taxes on the 29th of feb. WMR still says the 29th but my bank, USAA, still hasn’t received it. does anyone have an idea when I might get it?
I am in the same boat. When you fet yours will you post and I will do the same. I am freaking out.
MIne was schedule for dd on the 17th didnt receive it called irs on 22nd like wmr told me to. they said there dd could take up to 72 hrs to post. but mine actually got return to the irs cause of my middle intial being wrong at the bank they wouldnt dd the funds. got returned to irs on the 24th. they mailed it out on the 1st. does anyone no how long it takes when they mail it. hopin it will be here tomorrow but not the way this years goin. probably take a month lol.
i still have not heard nothing about mine did any body have to get there return reviewed by the irs ?if so how long will it take and will the wmr tell me when there done cuz right now it just say we have no info on your return and i really need my money tears:(
Tonya – Have u contacted your bank? I was told my DD is 3/7 and it could take 5 days to get there and if it doesn’t contact the bank then IRS. Hope the helpsl
I filed my taxes on 2-13-2012 it said I would get it on the 23rd then the 28th it already 3-5-2012 and I still ain’t got it I keep checking the irs website and it still say the 28…
i called to check on mine today they still say they reviewing it and that it could take up to 45 days from the 13 of feb. before i get my refund god i pray it don’t take that long cuz i got bills to pay bad, they also said it was gone come in the mail do it really take 45 day or will it come before then can somebody tell me have anybody or is anybody going thru this….
I filed my taxes on 2/21/12 Pd h&r a ton of money to prepare my taxes. When my taxes were excepted it was suppose to come back on 2/29/12 then changed to 3/7/12 now when I check the IRS website it says taxes have been received and still being processed. Has said that since 3/1/12. Now if we owed the IRS we would have to pay daily interest and penalties. I would like to know why the hold up. This is ridiculous!!
On wmr site 2 days ago showed my refund will be direct deposited scheduled on 03/07/2012.I will keep you posted if I get Im hoping tom will be there.
mine said dd 3/6 bt not there. Wtf
Not to be mean, but asking everyone else “WHeres my refund” is pointless if u filed it already, and they gave you a date…JUST BE PAITENT, ranting on “wheres my money” isnt going to make it come any faster. And for thouse whos dates already been passed and still havtn been recived…well you KNOW there is some tax issues this year it WILL come. its illegal for the IRS not to send u your refund jus wait…..t
seems as if the greedy *** government is keeping the money in their banks for more interest. still havnt got my refund filed on the 9th of feb its now the 12th of march
I filed my taxes February 11, 2012 and I have not received any notification at all as to when I would receive my refund. I am sure that my Accountant followed all rules and regulations but yet I get nothing from the IRS. It is very upsetting, they will not talk to you via phone, or email. ;(
I filed mine on 1/17 was accepted on 1/19 with a DD date of 1/25. On 2/1 I was told that my return was pulled for review and to wait 45 days from receiving a letter to call back the IRS. Today is the 45th day and I checked on WMR and it changed to 3/20 so I called the IRS only for them to tell me that another letter was being sent out. I didnt do or claim anything illegal on my return. The only thing different this year was that I was able to claim an education credit for going back to school. So like millions of others in the same situation I just have to be patient and wait.
Filed my paper return 1040EZ on January 31st. It is now March 15, and I don’t even have a status. When I owe taxes they cash my check within days of mailing, but when they owe me, it takes forever.
UPDATE: Just received another letter exactely like the first letter stating that my return and refund is being held for review because of the education credit I claimed. Now I have to wait another 45 days WTF???? So basically the first 45 days I had to wait was for nothing. You mean to tell me that it took the IRS 45 days to tell me I would receive another letter saying to wait another 45 days. I just cant believe with such a sophistacated system the IRS claims to have that they are making me wait. Now watch at the end of this 45 days I will receive another letter wanting some kind of documentation. Why couldnt they just ask for everything they need right away.
Can you go ahead and send in the information? I’d ask for the representatives employee number or name. Ask if they have a direct address.
I filed on the 13th. It was accepted on the 14th prior to 11:00am. WMR says my refund will be deposited on April 3 but the chart the IRS put out states it will be electronically deposited on March 21st. Today is March 22nd and no refund. Obviously I’m very confused at the conflicting information. I’m starting to think the WMR date is a date with extra days added on so people don’t get paranoid and angry. The only difference on my filing this year was a new child.
I filed my taxes January 26and I still have not recieved my money. I just give up. Irs is on some bs this year.
I filed Jan 17 it gave me a date of Jan 31. When the 31st got here it said it was being processed. Still nothing can anyone give me an idea of when I might get direct deposit or a check something?
march26 i filed taxes my dd said march 23 today is the 26 hope it is here any body else get date of 23 if so have you got yet
So I had such a nightmare with my tax returns. I had filed on Feburary 20 and I received a call that two people filled under my name and social security number so than I had to got o IRS to fix it that was the end of Feb. So when I check on my status on line for my refund it said April 3rd. will it is April 5 and nothing in the bank. I check on wheres my refund again and now it says its been received and in process what does this mean? I am so confused and they are not recieving any calls or anything. I know that they are having problems with more frauds this year so that is why they are searching and reviewing all of them carefully but what now does this mean that they pulled it again to review?
So, do to Identity Theft, I have had to file paper return…..my dd date was the 22nd…on the 22nd status changed to being processed…..has anyone actually received a refund after their status changed?????
I went through H&R Block on-line to file. It was quick and easy. At the end it said that the IRS may not accept the e-file, so I mailed it. Well apparently they are not accepting the mailed copies either because I filed on the 15 and no one can tell me where my refund is. What do I need to do to get my money?
I filed my taxes and mailed it in Feb and they rec it in Feb, I was told I should rec it in April. Then I get a letter saying they have to review my return and it will take 45 days and that was back on March 23. I adopted two kids last year and I know that the review they are talking about that in question. I gave them all the proof they need to show the adoption. And her we are in june and still have not rec my return. Now if we the people did that to them delay paying them we would be fined and whould have to pay them late fee’s WTF I and my wife do something nice and adopted to kids in need and this is how we are treated ! We never had a promblem before and we had a taxes expert do our taxes . And we still are waiting the goverment needs to get there head out there *** and start working on paying the hard working class the money they are owed! Also try to contact the IRS for your money and all you get is a computer telling the status of your return ! And you can never talk to a person!
I also filed my taxes in Feb. & received a letter stating 45 days, I never heard anything from them so I Called this # 1-800-829-0922 and pushed 1 that I received a letter and then don’t push anything else, it will go thru all these options then will connect you they, you will hold for about 30 minutes but you will speak to somebody. They told me my refund will be deposited the 19th. Hope this helps.
I was the victim of identity theft….I turned my return in and forms Feb.5…they told me it may take 16 weeks ok it has been 16 weeks…Has anyone received their money who was the victim of identity?and how long did it take?
To all of you still waiting for your tax refund….Don’t ever trust the IRS, they will lie to you, put you off and send you on a wild goose chase because they have all the power! They can do ANYTHING they want without regard for your rights. It does not matter whether what they are doing to you is illegal or not, there is no recourse you can take against them when they owe you money. I have learned this from my own filing of the last 3 years of tax returns after my divorce. They were submitted on 3/6/2012, it’s now 7/26/2012. I checked the WMR website and they tell me that they can’t tell me anything about any of my refunds & to call. I visited the IRS office here in Denver, talked to them in person, on the phone, i’ve asked for help from Philadelphia’s insolvency office, Fresno’s office and faxed, mailed (return receipt requested) my returns several times with all offices saying my returns were either not received (even though they were stamped 3 times as received on ’3/12/2012′) or told they couldn’t help or ‘We’re doing all we can, but every time we inquire w/main office it shows as a ‘duplicate’ so it will take another 2wks every time you ask. We will call you when we hear something.’ It has been almost 5 months and they say my refunds have been sitting in the office ready to go. They think its’ funny, its’ only a game to them but for me it’s a matter of whether my children and I stay in our home or are foreclosed upon. You can’t fight the government!
Am I the only one here who realizes that this is not a leap year. There is no Feb 29th.