IRS online refund tracker back

March 6, 2012

The Internal Revenue Service seems to be making progress on the glitch that's bedeviled its online tax refund tracking system this filing season.

Some folks who've been trying to find the status of their tax refunds via the IRS' Where's My Refund tracking tool have been majorly frustrated. In some cases the expected refund dates were much longer than expected. In others, the program said it couldn't find people's 2011 filing information.

Taxpayers were getting so angry that the IRS had to admit that the search tool wasn't working and pleaded for patience while the agency's tech people tried to sort things out.

Judging from the disclaimer changes that went up this week at the Where's My Refund website, the tool apparently is working much better.

Sorry, but I can't provide you with a firsthand report as (a) I haven't filed yet and (b) when I do file, I don't expect the paperwork to produce a refund. So I'm taking the IRS' word that things are better.

But the agency's request that taxpayers don't bug the IRS reps who answer the tax hotline also indicates that better doesn't mean totally fixed.

Here's the latest online word from the IRS:

If you e-file, you can generally expect your refund within 10 – 21 days. The projected refund date "Where's My Refund?" provides may change as your tax return moves through processing. Keep in mind that IRS telephone assistors will not be able to provide additional information.

Please DO NOT CALL our toll-free number unless "Where's My Refund?" specifically indicates that you should.

To take the heat off the phone answerers, the IRS has add a new 2012 Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions page that it hopes will deal with most queries.

The IRS also issued an email updating its efforts to fix the slow refund processing, primarily caused by new anti-fraud measures implemented this filing season:

"Earlier issues in January and February with IRS systems and the 'Where's My Refund' tool have been resolved. In the first few weeks of the filing season, there were two different issues that came up that resulted in longer refund cycles than taxpayers may have expected. Those issues only affected a subset of taxpayers filing returns. Both issues are resolved. Taxpayers who filed after February 13 have not experienced delays."

The IRS says that overall, tax refunds are running ahead of last year. Through late February, more than 45.2 million refunds have been issued, compared to 45.1 million for the comparable period last year.

And the IRS again stressed that refund receipt time frames are merely projections, not promises, and are subject to revision.

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Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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Comments
  • sarah montgomery
    14 years ago

    I don’t understand why your taking so long with refunding our money. I am in my sixth week right now. I’ve tried both your service and you can’t tell me where my fefund is. I am pissed off. I don’t care what problem you are having at the irs or if the white house has put you all into dept. It’s not the tax payers problem.I would like to know why I can’t find out where my money is? someone need to find it and send it to me or at least call me with my statue.

  • Mark Randall
    14 years ago

    Being able to e-file has really made filing taxes much easier.

Comments are closed.