"When Will I Get My Money?"

Probably the most asked question in a tax office has no definitive answer.

To assist you in your search for an answer, the IRS has issued a refund cycle publication for electronically filed returns (PUB 2043).

According to this publication, if you electronically file a return before noon on Thursday, your client will receive a direct deposit eight days later. A paper check will be mailed fifteen days later. This is, of course, if the IRS accepts the return and there is no outstanding debt. *

Transmission After Noon on	And Before Noon on	Direct Deposit Sent	Paper Check Mailed
February 2	March 1	March 9	March 16
March 1	March 8	March 16	March 23
March 8	March 15	March 23	March 30
March 15	March 22	March 30	April 6
March 22	March 29	April 6	April 13

* The IRS does not guarantee a specific date that a refund will be deposited into a taxpayer's financial institution account or mailed.
The answer for the client filing a paper return is not as simple and predictable.

The IRS website says your client can expect a paper check to be issued within 6-8 weeks once the IRS receives the paper return. A direct deposit for the same paper return will take one week less. With mailing time taken into consideration, your client can have access to their money ten days earlier if they choose direct deposit.

Careful preparation, correct addressing and the absence of debt can avoid delays. If the IRS experiences any errors or problems with the return, your client may not receive their refund according to these schedules. Also, keep in mind that the IRS suggests you wait three weeks after the return's acceptance before you consider the refund late.

The fastest option is still to electronically file the return and request direct deposit of any refunds.

This information will allow you to give your client a close estimate when they ask the inevitable question, "When will I get my money?"