You’re eagerly awaiting that refund from the IRS, and it seems like it’s taking too long. If your money hasn’t shown up within three to four weeks, here are some simple steps you can take to investigate what the holdup might be, whether it might be a scam, and if you should seek the help of a tax professional.
1. Use the “Where’s My Refund” feature on IRS.gov. It’s relatively painless, you just need your Social Security Number, filing status, and the dollar amount of the refund you’re due.
2. Review your tax return to be sure there are not any errors, such as a misspelling of your name, transposing numbers in your social security number, or mis-typing your bank account number or routing number. Errors such as this are easy to make, and they can wind up delaying your refund for months.
3. Check your mailbox. Any correspondence from the IRS should be opened immediately. You could have received a communication from the IRS alerting you of an issue with your return. The letter will state what you need to do to resolve it. If you don’t understand it, consult with us at Adams Accounting Solutions. We see these types of letters and notices constantly, and we can quickly identify what the communication means to you.
4. Get in touch with the IRS. If using the online “Where’s My Refund” feature isn’t helping you figure it out, you can call the IRS directly at 1 800 829 1040. Yes, you’ll have to wait on hold before you speak to someone, so be prepared to spend some time on the phone.
5. Better yet, turn it over to Adams Accounting Solutions. Sometimes you cannot unravel such a situation on your own, and the experts at Adams Accounting Solutions can help you decipher any IRS communications or notices, send in corrections in the event you have made an error, and provide overall advice on your specific situation
6. Could You Have Been Scammed?
With scams on the rise, it’s natural to think you might be the target of some sort of a rip off. Here’s what to watch for:
- The IRS doesn’t call or email you. Their communication is primarily done via the U.S. Mail. The IRS won’t ask you for your social security number over the phone or in an email, and they will not ask you to pay them over the phone or online through a link. Any unexpected phone calls or messages claiming to be the IRS are most likely a fraudster trying to swindle you out of your hard-earned money.
- Learn to Notice Phishing Inquiries. Scammers can be very crafty in coercing you to give out sensitive information or direct you to imposter websites. Never enter any information until you verify that you’re on the IRS official website (irs.gov.)
- Check your snail mail. Communications from the IRS come via the U.S. Mail, and will provide a contact number and steps you need to take. Open these letters immediately. IRS official letters have a number or code at the top right of the page. Learn to identify suspicious-looking letters that use poor grammar or punctuation, and check irs.gov to see if the communication is legit or bring it to us at Adams Accounting Solutions if you’re unsure. We can take a quick look and identify fake communications instantly.
- Be mindful of your credit report and check it regularly. If you’re a victim of identity theft, your return could be significantly delayed or never reach you. By monitoring your credit report often, you can detect unusual activity such as a new address added, or a new person on one of your credit cards.
If you’re tired of waiting on your tax return, you don’t have to tackle it on your own. Give us a call at Adams Accounting Solutions. We can help you resolve a missing return by double checking the information that was submitted and get in touch with the IRS to quickly amend your return if necessary and ease your mind about where it is hiding.
