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“Where Is My Tax Refund?” Answered Now

by Neal Frankle, CFP ®, The article represents the author's opinion. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

You’re probably just like me. After I’ve paid my taxes on time I want my tax refund ASAP. The good news is that the IRS is finally getting on track. If you want to get a speedy IRS tax refund, here is what you need to do:

1. E-File

I read recently that 80% of all the tax returns are filed electronically these days. If you use a CPA to do your taxes, make sure he or she e-files your returns because it will speed up your refund. According to the IRS website, you can check the status of your refund within 72 hours of them acknowledging they received it. If you file a paper return, you’ll have to wait three or four weeks.

2. Check the Status Online

There are a number of ways to get the status of your refund. The first way is to go to the IRS website. You’ll be asked for your Social Security Number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. Once you input that information, the IRS computer will tell you the status of your refund check.

3. Check the Status on Your Cell Phone

There are now apps for your iPhone and Android phones created by the IRS to help you check the status. (In my opinion, if you can’t wait to get to your laptop or desktop to check on your refund, you’ve got other issues we need to talk about.)

4. Call the IRS

You can use your phone (cell or landline). Call the IRS 1-800-829-4477 (24 hours a day, seven days a week for automated refund information) or 1-800-829-1954 to talk to a real human being.

5. Pretend It’s Your Birthday

You could always wait patiently for Uncle Sam to send you a check. That’s very old-fashioned, I know, but it does add a little excitement to your day as you mosey on down to the mailbox. Wondering. Hoping. Maybe…today is your day!

What I want to know is, why do you care about the IRS tax refund schedule so much? Are you counting on that money to pay a debt? Have you earmarked those funds for travel? What frightens me is that people who are hyped up about their refunds typically have short-term plans for the money. And that leads me to think they haven’t done as much long-term planning as they should. I could be wrong of course. I’m just sharing my experience. Maybe you don’t really need that tax refund. Maybe what you really need to get busy with is tracking your spending or getting a high-paying second job so you won’t be so hyped about getting your paws on that cash.

Use this opportunity to ask yourself why it’s so important to you to get your hands on that money so quickly. If it’s for the wrong reasons, make this the year that you fix the problem. Put a budgeting system into place. Don’t blow your refund on something extravagant if you haven’t put enough aside for your future. So, once you get your check, what are you going to do with your tax refund? Here’s what I’m going to do with my tax refund.


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Comments

  1. Harold says

    May 20, 2021 at 1:16 PM

    “What I want to know is, why do you care about the IRS tax refund schedule so much? Are you counting on that money to pay a debt? Have you earmarked those funds for travel? What frightens me is that people who are hyped up about their refunds typically have short-term plans for the money. And that leads me to think they haven’t done as much long-term planning as they should. I could be wrong of course. I’m just sharing my experience. Maybe you don’t really need that tax refund. Maybe what you really need to get busy with is tracking your spending or getting a high-paying second job so you won’t be so hyped about getting your paws on that cash.”

    Rebuttal:

    Firstly, you make a metric ton of assumptions about people. Secondly, while you may be curious as to “why”, to be frank, its none of your business. Many Americans are dealing with extenuating circumstances that are well and above their control and have taken every avenue and action possible to keep themselves financially secure and yet ended up with situations beyond their control that has jeopardized their financial stability.

    Your “opinion” that these same people “get a second higher paying job” is beyond classless and extremely callous. Whilst you sit in your ivory tower capable of still earning a living based upon being able to type out pompous and sparky opinion articles, multitudes of Americans lost their jobs. Do you seriously presume yourself to be so well and above others that you’re ignorant to whats going on around you? To see the millions suffering because of extended overreaction that’s caused even MORE hardship and espouse this “opinion” is beyond insulting.

    I sincerely hope you never have to face the financial uncertainty of losing your ability to earn a liveable wage and ensure that all of your responsibilities are met. If such an instance were to occur, I would encourage someone who knows your personally to verbally “kick” you while down and tell you to go get another job and every other sparky statement you made. May you never have to experience having to go without food, sleep, shelter and goods just to make sure your children are taken care of. I am a man of modest means and humble beginnings. I am financially conservative and economically savvy, however, even I have been affected by all of this nonsense as it drove my business down. I had to shutter my doors and take on 2 part time jobs and one full time making WAY less than I made on a daily basis. Just to make sure my kids were fed and the lights on.

    How dare you.

    Reply
  2. Scott says

    June 2, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    So, when someone owes you money and have said they will pay you on a certain day and three months later they haven’t. So why asked them about the money they owe you???? You just wait patiently for what one year, two years. How long do you wait before you expect the Bum (US Government) to pay you. It’s none of your business what, were, and why I want my money.

    Reply
  3. Jessica07 says

    March 1, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Wow. Thanks for the resources. I had no idea you could check the status of your return. I’ll be passing these along to family and friends. 🙂

    Reply

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Who is Neal Frankle

Neal Frankle

I'm a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional with more than 25 years of experience. I feel very blessed and hope to share my personal financial experience and professional wisdom with readers of WealthPilgrim.
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