The IR
S officially opened the 2020 income tax season on Monday, January 27, when it started accepting tax returns. For millions of taxpayers, there's no reason to get refund loans or other such services, which often come with steep fees, since most Americans can get their 2020 income tax refund in as little as 10 days if they file early and use direct deposit.
Several factors can determine when a taxpayer may receive their return, including:
How early they file
If the taxpayer is claiming certain credits (especially EITC and CTC)
Whether the return is e-filed or sent by mail
Whether the taxpayer has existing debts to the federal government
As it has done for a few years, the IRS will delay processing by 2-3 weeks if an income tax return has the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC), since these credits are the most abused. The additional time allows the IRS to verify that taxpayers qualify for the credits.
The below chart shows an estimated timeline for when a taxpayer is likely to receive their refund, based on the information we have now, and using projections based on previous years. If your IRS income tax refund is delayed, ask your tax professional, or simply use the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the IRS website. Or download the IRS2Go app to check your refund status.
The below dates are only an estimate.
"When Will I Get My 2020 Income Tax Refund?"
IRS Accepts Return By: Direct Deposit Sent (Or Paper Check Mailed one week later): Jan. 27, 2020Feb. 7, 2020 (Feb. 14, 2020) Feb. 3 Feb. 14 (Feb 21) Feb. 10 Feb. 21 (Feb 28) Feb. 18 (President's Day is a holiday)Feb. 28 (Mar. 6) Feb. 24Mar. 6 (Mar 13) Mar. 2 Mar. 13 (Mar. 20) Mar. 9Mar. 20 (Mar. 27) Mar. 16 Mar. 27 (Apr. 3) Mar. 23 Apr. 3 (Apr. 10)
** = Returns with EITC or CTC may have refunds delayed until late February to verify credits.
*** = Filing during peak season can result in slightly longer waits.
IRS Accepts Return By: Direct Deposit Sent (Or Paper Check Mailed one week later) Mar. 29Apr. 10, 2020 (Apr. 17) Apr. 6 Apr. 17 (Apr. 24) Apr. 13Apr. 24 (May 1) Apr. 20 May 1 (May 8) Apr. 27 May 8 (May 15) May 4May 15 (May 22) May 11May 22 (May 29) May 18 May 29 (June 5) May 25 June 5 (June 12) IMPORTANT: If you file electronically (using an online tax program or preparer), the IRS will notify you of the actual date they "accepted" your return. This is often 1-3 days from the time you actually hit the "file" or "submit" button, and it is this date that you need to use for the above chart.
Article courtesy of CPA Practice Advisor
January 31, 2020
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