Technology
IRS Launches the IRS2Go App for iPhone and Android
Taxpayers Can Check Refunds, Get Tax Information
Jan. 25, 2011
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service (www.IRS.gov)
today unveiled IRS2Go, the first free smartphone application that lets taxpayers
check on their status of their tax refund and obtain helpful tax information.
“This new smart phone app reflects our commitment to modernizing the agency
and engaging taxpayers where they want when they want it,” said IRS Commissioner
Doug Shulman. “As technology evolves and younger taxpayers get their information
in new ways, we will keep innovating to make it easy for all taxpayers to access
helpful information.”
The IRS2Go phone app gives people a convenient way of checking on their federal
refund. It also gives people a quick way of obtaining easy-to-understand tax
tips.
Apple users can download the free IRS2Go application by visiting the Apple
App Store. Android users can visit the Android Marketplace to download the free
IRS2Go app.
“This phone app is a first step for us,” Shulman said. “We will
look for additional ways to expand and refine our use of smartphones and other
new technologies to help meet the needs of taxpayers.”
The mobile app, among a handful in the federal government, offers a number
of safe and secure ways to help taxpayers. Features of the first release of
the IRS2Go app include:
Get Refund Status
Taxpayers can check the status of their federal refund through the new phone
app with a few basic pieces of information. First, taxpayers enter a Social
Security number, which is masked and encrypted for security purposes. Next,
taxpayers pick the filing status they used on their tax return. Finally, taxpayers
enter the amount of the refund they expect from their 2010 tax return.
For people who e-file, the refund function of the phone app will work within
about 72 hours after taxpayers receive an e-mail acknowledgement saying the
IRS received their tax return. For people filing paper tax returns, longer processing
times mean they will need to wait three to four weeks before they can check
their refund status. About 70 percent of the 142 million individual tax returns
were filed electronically last year.
Get Tax Updates
Phone app users enter their e-mail address to automatically get daily tax tips.
Tax Tips are simple, straightforward tips and reminders to help with tax planning
and preparation. Tax Tips are issued daily during the tax filing season and
periodically during the rest of the year. The plain English updates cover topics
such as free tax help, child tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, education
credits and other topics.
Follow the IRS
Taxpayers can sign up to follow the IRS Twitter news feed, @IRSnews.
IRSnews provides the latest federal tax news and information for taxpayers.
The IRSnews tweets provide easy-to-use information, including tax law changes
and important IRS programs.
IRS2Go is the latest IRS effort to provide information to taxpayers beyond
traditional channels. The IRS also uses tools such as YouTube and Twitter to
share the latest information on tax changes, initiatives, products and services
through social media channels. For more information on IRS2Go and other new
media products, visit www.IRS.gov.