The deadline for filing your taxes may have been pushed back until July 15, 2020, but that doesn’t mean it’s no less important to file them as soon as possible. Due to COVID-19, some things are taking longer to process than normal, so making sure you’re filing your taxes soon will be beneficial to you and your IRS tax refund. 

Reduced Capacity Causes IRS Tax Refunds to be Delayed

Due to COVID-19, along with many businesses, the IRS is working at a reduced capacity. This means that less people are in the office reviewing tax forms so the rate at which they are completed is delayed. Some of their services, such as Taxpayer Assistance Centers, are closed, and live phone help is suspended.

Those filing their taxes by mail are the ones who are seeing the biggest delays. This is because the closures the IRS are having are results from their inability to process a return. If the IRS can’t process a return, then they are unable to mail your refund. 

For those who do not want to experience IRS tax refund delays, the best option is to file your taxes electronically and to opt for direct deposit.

How to Check Your Refund Status

Most refunds will be processed within 21 days. If you file electronically, after 24 hours, you can go to the IRS website, input your social security number, your filing status and the refund amount you should be receiving. This information is updated every night for your convenience. 

If your return is taking longer than normal, make sure to check your status to ensure nothing was filed incorrectly. A messed up Social Security number, misspelled name, math mistake, incorrect bank account number, claiming the wrong filing status or forgetting to sign can also delay an IRS tax refund. These are common mistakes that can be easily overlooked but must be fixed.

If you need help filing your taxes, contact Satty, Levine & Ciacco, CPAs, P.C.