Income Tax Returns

When do most people start getting their income tax returns back? I mean some people use the rapid refund loans and others wait for a check, about how long does it take for each to arrive?

Sorry, it's just been a really long time since I have received a refund.

I've always gotten mine, when useing eFile & direct deposit, within  5-7 day.   Once it took 15 days and once got it in two days.......

An employer has until January 31st to mail out their W-2 forms right?

I would imagine most people get them the 2nd or 3rd week of January.

Yeah, postmarked by 1/31.

Ive always have gotten mine by the third week.

Then procrastinate actually doing them.   And I usually get a small amount back.


Probably not this year.   Only put in 42 days at a "real" job.

I usually see an accountant in March. January, February and April are just too busy to get good service.

I used to do them the first half of February. I eventually noticed that I would get questioned on one thing or another just about every year. So I started sending them in within a day or two of the deadline and have not been questioned once since doing so. I figure at the beginning the IRS agents are all fired up and raring to go. But after three months of pawing over tax forms, they let a lot of things slide that they would've questioned earlier in the year.

I'm a retired tax accountant.

If someone files online or goes to the tax prep office, and the form is e-filed, it takes 6-13 days for the direct deposit refund to end up in their account.  Getting a physical check in the mail takes another week.  The range in days is that the deposit is always made on Friday from the IRS.  (It actually happens sometime late Wednesday afternoon, but they don't tell anybody that in case they or the bank get a few hours or a day behind.)

Also, because of the infamous tax changes made by Congress on January 2 (extending tax cuts and such) the IRS won't be ready to accept returns until January 30 this year.  So the earliest tax refunds will start coming in about Valentine's Day this year.  Unless they get one of those "next-day" loans. 

Probably more than you wanted to know......

No, that really puts things into perspective. I appreciate you letting us know.

the IRS won't be ready to accept returns until January 30 this year.  So the earliest tax refunds will start coming in about Valentine's Day this year. 

I learned a long time ago to never file taxes until a couple of days before the deadline. By then the IRS agents are so sick of looking at tax returns, that they have long stopped nitpicking them to death.

My taxes were so easy and basic this year I've already done them. 

Gonna have to be diligent thru 2013 with records tho.  Paying own health insurance and have a surgery scheduled.  Have to keep track of mileage, co-pays, Rx's.....

If I'm going to itemize I'll keep all my receipts for sales tax and donations.

Time to start researching 2013 tax law.