With only three weeks left until tax season ends on April 15th, the IRS has already processed over 70 million tax returns and refunded more than $152 billion. If you’ve filed your tax return and are waiting for your refund, you can use the IRS tool to check on the status of your refund. The quickest way to monitor your tax refund is through the IRS’ “Where’s My Refund?” tracker page, where you can track the status of your refund by providing your personal information. You can also use the IRS2Go mobile app on iOS and Android to monitor your refund status.
The IRS tools will show you one of three messages explaining your tax return status: Received, Approved, or Sent. If you see “Tax Topic 152,” it means you are likely getting a refund but it hasn’t been approved or sent yet. Another message, Tax Topic 151, indicates that your tax return is under review by the IRS, which could be due to verifying certain credits or dependents. There are also other IRS refund codes that a small percentage of tax filers receive, indicating freezes, math errors on tax returns, or undelivered checks.
If you need to contact the IRS about your refund, getting live phone assistance can be difficult, but the agency has increased funding and hired more telephone representatives. You should call only if it’s been at least 21 days since you filed your taxes online or if the “Where’s My Refund” tool tells you to. The IRS advises that wait times during tax season can average 4 minutes, but may be longer on certain days. You can also visit the IRS website or in-person help at Taxpayer Assistance Centers around the country for assistance.
When it comes to receiving your tax refund, you may see “IRS TREAS 310” listed on your bank statement if you receive your refund by direct deposit. This code simply identifies the transaction as a refund from a filed tax return in the form of electronic payment. If your refund check is mailed instead of sent via direct deposit, there could be various reasons for this, such as providing the correct account information, limitations on direct deposits into an account, or the refund being offset for delinquent debt.
In conclusion, tracking your tax refund status can be done through the IRS’ online tools or mobile app, and understanding the various messages and codes related to your refund can help you navigate the process. If you need to contact the IRS for assistance, there are options available, but be prepared for potential wait times. It’s important to ensure that your refund is processed correctly, whether by direct deposit or mail, and to stay informed about any updates or changes to your refund status.
