Here's when your tax refund will arrive

Tax season began on Jan. 29, 2024, when the IRS started accepting and processing 2023 tax returns. Taxes were officially due on April 15, 2024, and millions of Americans are eagerly anticipating getting money back.

Here's what you need to know about your tax refund, including when it should arrive, what might hold it up and more.

The deadline for most taxpayers to file a federal tax return was Monday, April 15, 2024.

Because of the observances of Patriot's Day (April 15) and Emancipation Day (April 16), taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts had until Wednesday, April 17, 2024, to file. 

Parts of the U.S. impacted by severe weather have been given extensions to file their federal returns. A full list of affected states is available on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to leave enough time to gather documents and deal with any issues ahead of the deadline. You should also ensure your banking and personal information is correct and current to avoid delays or mistakes with your refund.

If you're nervous about filing yourself, TurboTax is one of the easiest ways to do it. The basic free edition, which accepts Form 1040 and limited tax credits, provides guided preparation and lets you import your W-2 and previous returns. According to TurboTax, 37% of filers are eligible to use TurboTax Free Edition for free.

If you're itemizing deductions, TurboTax Deluxe Online, a paid version, allows you to report investment, business and rental income and checks to see if you qualify for any of hundreds of deductions and credits.

H&R Block also has a free edition that's good for simple returns, and a deluxe version that lets you itemize, report self-employment taxes and get help from both live experts and H&R Block’s AI tax assistant. The company's no-interest Refund Advance Loan can make up to $3,500 available the same day you file.

If your adjusted gross income in 2023 was less than $79,000, you may be able to file for free through Free File, a partnership between the IRS and top tax software companies.

The IRS has also launched its Direct File pilot program, a free way to file your federal tax return online. Currently, the program is only open to residents of 12 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming) who report certain kinds of income and credits.  

If you file an electronic return, expect a refund and opt for direct deposit, the IRS says you can expect to get your refund within 21 days of filing, as long as there are no issues with your return, like inaccuracies or incomplete information, according to the IRS.

If you sent your return by mail or filed an amended return, it will take at least four weeks for your refund to be processed.

To check your refund status, use the Where's My Refund? tool on the IRS website. You'll need to input your Social Security number, filing status and the refund amount listed on your return.

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