The IRS said that it issued more than nine out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days last year, and expects the same results in 2013.
On its Web page titled What to Expect For Refunds in 2013, the service reports that even though it issues most refunds in less than 21 days, “it’s possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer.”
The page also provides a link to the “Where’s My Refund?” page, which has been updated this year to include a tracker that displays progress through the receipt of the return, its approval and when it was sent. In 2013, clients and preparers can start checking on the status of returns within 24 hours after the service receives an e-filed return, or four weeks after the mailing of a paper return.
The service had come under some criticism early last tax season for delays in issuing refunds, many of which were caused by new anti-fraud processes (see “IRS Fraud Detection System Leads to Refund Delays”), but had largely sorted those issues out by the end of last tax season.
4 Comments
9 out of 10 in 21 days? Last year? Not! More like 80% at most. And I had 6 or 8 clients who waited 6 weeks for their refunds! They had mostly straightened things out by mid-March, but never in their wildest dreams did they come close to 90% in 21 days. And 21 days was never their target to begin with - it was 15 days max on their schedule.
Posted by: olivertax | December 20, 2012 4:04 PM
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Why should any one be surprised by this....We are now mandated to e-file.... there is no benefit to IRS to expidite any thing... As far a Congress is concerned you the preparer are in charge of the welfare system... and quess what.... They dont have to pay us!!! This is a WIN WIN WIN for Congress who saves Money on this to spend elswhere by not having to hire as many social workers to handle the giveaway?? Is this a great country or what!!
Posted by: jcooper.ap | December 17, 2012 4:42 PM
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Anita, I love your insight. I heard IRS Deputy Commissioner Beth Tucker say in the summer of 2011 that with the new MeF and the daily processing that IRS could issue refunds in 3 to 5 days. That's what's possible. IRS is now saying only that 9 out of 10 refunds can be expected in 21 days.
Posted by: ShirleyCallahanEA | December 17, 2012 12:59 PM
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So now the normal expected time for refunds to be released is 21 days and we should all cheer at the good news? When the IRS and everyone else was so anxious to do away with RALs because "In a world where refunds can now be received in seven days, the Service sees no need for taxpayers to pay extra for a RAL" we heard no mention of 21 days. The much-touted new computer system was going to accomplish wonders that would make the need for a RAL obsolete. While I personally never wanted to get into RALs and am somewhat relieved not to have to deal with them now, many of my clients desperately needed access to their refunds immediately to prevent repossessions or foreclosures that would be over and done in 21 days. I love how my clients are protected by the powers that be, and I know they love it too!
Posted by: anitamartinez | December 17, 2012 11:33 AM
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