Updated 2018 IRS Income Tax Refund Chart – When Will You Get Your Tax Refund?

If you’re like many Americans, you may be asking, “When will I get my income tax refund?” Well, we have the answer. It depends on a couple of things, but the good news is that there are several tools to help find out. FYI, the new tax reform law won’t affect the taxes you are getting ready to file now (due by April 2018). They will affect the taxes you file next year.

First of all, taxpayers who use a professional, such as a CPA or EA, can ask that professional for an estimated date. Taxpayers who’ve already filed can also go to the Internal Revenue Service’s website, which has a tool designed specifically for that called, “Where’s My Refund?”

[For the latest information on deductions and tax brackets in the 2018 GOP tax reform, go to this article: www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/12387105 or our index of articles about the tax reform law: www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/12390237].

There are also apps for Apple, Android and other devices that help track refund status.

Note: The IRS will start processing most returns on January 29, but will not start processing returns with the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until mid-February 2018.

The IRS will begin processing tax returns on January 29, 2018, for income earned in 2017. In general, the IRS says that returns with refunds are processed and payments issued within 21 days. For paper filers, this can take much longer, however. The IRS and tax professionals strongly encourage electronic filing.

How quickly a taxpayer receives a refund also depends on when they file and whether they have requested a direct deposit of their refund, or a paper check. This is because during some time frames there is increased traffic, with more filers getting their forms in. The busiest time, and which can experience longer waits on refunds, is usually for those who file in the last week before the April 16 deadline. (The tax deadline in 2018 is April 17 because April 15 falls on a Sunday, and April 16 is a holiday in Washington, D.C.)

The chart above provides a general estimate of when taxpayers can expect their refund, based on date filed and type of refund payment. If you’ve already filed your taxes and want to get a more specific estimated date for your refund, use the IRS site Where’s My Refund?