Citing budget cuts, Obamacare complications, and declining staff, the IRS is setting the expectation that taxpayers may have to wait on their income tax refunds. The IRS remains hopeful and expects that the answer the usual “Where’s My Refund?” question with a response of “21 days.”
Refunds for paper returns, which normally take up to four to six weeks to process and mail checks, will see the hardest impact. According to the IRS, the agency expects paper-filed returns to take at least 7 weeks to process.
This season, even the IRS Commissioner is pushing taxpayers to e file their returns. The IRS is also sending people to their website and across social media to find help for their taxes. The YouTube channel features more advice for first-time filers and their Twitter feed has tons on links to their FAQs. A twitter message posted on 1/27 warns,
“Don’t wait on the phone to find out about your #IRS refund. Where’s My Refund updated every 24 hours. go.usa.gov/Ajf “
According to Tax Statistics, e filing will help you reduce the errors in your return by 90%. If avoiding refund delays and accuracy are important to you, eSmart Tax can guide you through every step of the e file process. We have answers when you need them. Start for free.