TAX SEASON 2024

IRS reveals the fastest way to get your tax refund

Taxpayers are advised to file their taxes well before the 15 April deadline and refunds can be received within 21 days.

Erin ScottREUTERS

The IRS advises all filers to get their returns in as early as possible to avoid delays in the processing and distribution of tax refunds. A majority of filers are expected to receive a tax refund this year, and submitting your taxes early means you stand to receive your payment more quickly.

It also ensure that you have plenty of time before the 18 April deadline, just in case you find any issues when you come to submit your return.

You can also request a six-month filing extension if you need more time to complete your return, but bear in mind that you will still need to have paid any outstanding tax by the original deadline.

How to make sure you get a tax refund quickly

Tax season is often greeted with a sense of dread, but usually it results in a refund payment for most filers. The tax system is structured to ensure that workers normally pay enough tax during the year to comfortably cover their eventual tax liability.

However this means that taxpayers are often left having paid slightly too much over the preceding 12 months, and they are eligible for a tax refund from the IRS.

In the past four years these refund payments have been bolstered by a number of pandemic-era relief programs like stimulus checks and the expansion of the Child Tax Credit. These initiatives from the federal government have now been rolled back.

However the average refund amount is still likely to be well in excess of $2,000, representing a significant windfall for the typical household. If you’re eager to get that money in the bank as swiftly as possible, here’s a few top tips to get your tax refund quickly…

  • File your taxes early – The simplest way to get your refund first is to be the first to submit your taxes. Avoiding the annual ‘late rush’ of tax returns is a must if you want a swift refund.
  • Avoid a paper submission – The old ways are the best? Not when it comes to tax returns. Take advantage of the IRS’ digital submission system to get your refund weeks before paper returns have been processed.
  • Request a direct deposit – Like with the submission, opting to receive your refund payment digitally will save lots of time. The IRS takes longer to produce the paper checks and it can take weeks for them to be mailed out to recipients.

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