HOUSTON – It is tax season. Even if we procrastinate filing our return, we expect our refunds without delay.
While 90 percent of tax refunds are issued in less than 21 days, there are some things you can do to speed up the process.
1. File your return early
The sooner you file, the sooner you'll get your money back.
2. File electronically
The IRS says that people who still fill out the paper forms and mail them in will get their refunds on about a month later than taxpayers who file electronically.
3. Direct deposit
Requesting your refund go directly into your bank account will get it to you faster than if you just wait for a paper check from the IRS.
Popular myths
If you hear that all refunds are delayed this year, don't believe it. Only taxpayers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit were delayed to try and prevent identity theft and refund fraud. The IRS held those returns until mid-February, but that hold has now been lifted.
Another rumor making the rounds claims that you can find out the exact date you will get your refund by ordering a tax transcript. This is also not true. The IRS says the easiest and most reliable way to check the status of your refund is to use the Where's my Refund tool on the IRS website or through the IRS2go mobile app.