IRS Update: What to Expect for Federal Refunds for the 2013 Filing Season

What to Expect for Federal Refunds for the 2013 Filing Season

It is important to set your customers’ expectations for when the IRS will be sending refunds during the upcoming 2013 Filing Season and beyond.

Due to the increase in fraud and identity theft, the IRS is increasing their fraud filters during the processing of all individual returns. This means that a larger number of returns will be reviewed therefore, processing will take longer and the refund will be sent out later for these returns.

The IRS messaging for refunds for the upcoming filing season will be that refunds will be sent to the taxpayer within 21 days from the time the return has been accepted. This message will be the same on the IRS website, “Where’s My Refund?” page, and when a taxpayer calls the IRS help desk.

The refund cycle chart has been eliminated and replaced with an IRS Information Guidelines for the Tax Preparation Community publication. Click here to read more.

You will also notice the following changes to the “Where’s My Refund?” tool for the upcoming filing season:

• The expected date of when the refund will be sent will no longer be given when the return begins to be processed.
• The refund status will be presented by way of a status bar as follows:
• Return Received - Learn more
• Refund Approved - Learn more
• Refund Sent - Learn more
• Click here to read more.

Click here to read the entire CrossLink Tax Update that includes further information on what to expect for Federal refunds for the 2013 Filing Season.