FAQ About Money
Common questions about refunds and payments.
Your efile has to be accepted by the IRS before your refund is processed. The complete efile cycle typically takes 24-72 hours. If your return is rejected for any reason and you need to revise and resubmit, the efile cycle will repeat.
Once your return is accepted, if you chose Direct Deposit, your refund should be deposited into your account in about 2-3 weeks. If you chose to receive a paper check, the IRS needs to print and mail it. In this case your check may take 2-3 weeks longer to arrive.
State refund cycles vary by state. Some are faster than federal, while others take longer. Check with your state for specifics.
You can get refund information about your federal income tax return through the IRS's secure website 72 hours after they acknowledge receipt of your return. Where's my refund? is fast, easy and safe. You will need to enter 3 pieces of information from your efiled return:
- Your social security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Your filing status
- The exact whole dollar amount of your expected refund
If you check the status of your refund and are not given an issuance date, wait until the next week before checking back. If you filed Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, with your return, allow 11 weeks from your efile date before checking your refund status. If you are looking for amended return information, please contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Direct Deposit is an electronic method for the IRS or state to deposit your tax refund into your checking or savings account.
Direct Deposit is much faster and more secure than a paper refund check. If used, please ensure you key in the correct routing and account numbers for your bank. Both numbers are printed on your personal checks, or you can ask your bank.
We suggest you use Direct Deposit for your tax refund whenever possible.
We have several payment options available for you:
- We offer you the option of paying your balance due with a credit or debit card. This option is provided by our partner, Official Payments. A small convenience fee will apply.
- We offer you the ability to use the Direct Payment option to pay the balance due for your federal and certain state taxes directly from your bank account (checking or savings). There is no additional fee for this feature.
- You can mail your payment to the IRS and state taxing authority. The filing instructions in your return will give you additional information.
- By filing Form 9465 (an Installment Agreement Request), the IRS will allow you to set up payment arrangements. You can obtain Form 9465, with instructions, from the IRS online at: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f9465.pdf
More information and the ability to select these options can be found by clicking on the ''Filing Options'' link, located on the side of every page, and continuing to the Filing Options page.
Different states accept different forms of payment. Visit your state government tax agency website by selecting your state from our State Tax Return page.
Some states accept payment by Direct Debit but some do not. Please refer to your State Department of Taxation for more information or go to eSmart's State Tax Filing page.
You can pay by mailing a check with a payment voucher to your state. Our system will prepare a payment voucher for you. You will find this voucher by clicking on the "Print" link next to your return once you have successfully submitted it. Do not include your tax return if you have efiled.
Check your state's website for more specific information on how to pay.
First, allow the return to be processed. Then, if the return is still incorrect after it has been processed, you will need to fill out Form 1040X Amended U.S. Individual Tax Return. Include copies of any schedules that have been changed or any W-2 forms that you did not initially include.
To avoid paying interest on any amounts owed, Form 1040X should be submitted after you receive your refund, or by the due date of the return, whichever is earlier. Send a check or money order for the full amount payable to the United States Treasury. On your payment, include your name, address, daytime phone number, social security number, the tax year and the type of return.
For more information visit the IRS's FAQ page.
Options for paying your federal income tax owed are:
Direct Debit: If you electronically file your return, you can have the IRS automatically withdraw your federal income tax owed from a bank account located in the United States.
Check: You can mail a check or money order made out to the "United States Treasury" with your payment voucher (Form 1040-V) to the IRS by the tax filing deadline. Be sure to write your name, address, social security number and tax year on your check or money order. The payment voucher can be printed once you have successfully submitted your return (do not mail a copy of your tax return if you electronically filed your return).
Credit Card: If you electronically file your return, you can use your credit card to pay your taxes owed. To pay federal income with a credit card, please visit www.officialpayments.com (additional fees will be charged).
Installment Payments: If you can't pay the full amount you owe on your tax return (or on a notice sent by the IRS), you can use the Installment Agreement Request (Form 9465) to request a monthly installment plan. Generally, you can have up to 60 months to pay. Form 9465 is available during the checkout process. Before requesting an installment agreement, you should consider other less costly alternatives, such as getting a bank loan or using available credit on a credit card. The IRS charges a $105 fee to set-up an installment agreement and interest on the principal balance owed. The IRS will generally let you know within 30 days after they receive your request whether it is approved or denied. If you can pay the full amount you owe within 120 days, call 800-829-1040 to establish a request to pay in full. If you can do this, you can avoid paying the $105 fee to set-up an installment agreement.