The IRS has laid off thousands of workers, and taxpayers are waiting to see if it will affect how quickly they will get their tax refunds.
The majority of those expected to be laid off worked in the IRS sections that handle enforcement, audits and collections, according to multiple news reports. So exactly how that’s playing out in real time as the agency processes tax returns is unclear.
You can use the “Where’s my refund?” tool to track your return.
It gives detailed refund status messages to taxpayers who have already filed.
If you e-filed your return, updates should appear on the tool after about 24 hours, the IRS said. If you filed a paper return, it will take about four weeks for your return to show up in the tool. And if you e-filed a return for the prior tax year, it will take about three or four days to appear, the IRS said.
The tool is only updated once a day, usually overnight, so there’s no need to check the tool more often, the agency said.
To check on an amended return, use the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool.
The tools will show you one of the following:
- “Return received,” which means the IRS has received your return and its processing it.
- “Refund approved,” which means the agency has approved your refund and it’s preparing to issue it. It will also give you an expected date.
- “Refund sent,” which means your refund has been sent to your bank or a check has been mailed. “It may take 5 days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail,” the IRS said.
Some tax returns, including those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, could take a little longer to process as the IRS confirms eligibility and gives them extra review, it said.
The IRS said taxpayers should not call the agency about their refund status unless the “Where’s My Refund?” tool recommends you call. You can find the agency’s phone numbers and other help options at irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you.
Stories by Karin Price Mueller
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Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.