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Possible Reasons for 2021 IRS Tax Refund Delays

Most taxpayers who file their returns electronically and request direct deposit generally receive their IRS refunds within 21 days. However, a variety of factors can result in longer return processing times. The IRS recently reminded taxpayers of the most common causes of tax refund delays, including:

- The return was mailed on paper instead of filed electronically. Filing a paper return typically doubles the expected wait time for a refund.
- The IRS needs more information to process the return. In this case, you will generally receive an IRS letter requesting the information.
- The return did not include banking information for direct deposit, so the IRS must mail a paper check.
- The return includes a request for an Injured Spouse refund allocation.

The IRS cannot provide information about refund status until at least 21 days after a return was electronically filed, or six weeks after a paper return was mailed.

IRS Where's My Refund Tool: https://www.irs.gov/refunds.

Multiple IRS Deadlines Fall on April 18th – Important Reminders

2021 INDIVIDUAL FEDERAL TAX RETURN FILING: U.S. resident individual and joint tax filers, along with U.S. citizens must file 2021 Form 1040 or 1040-SR and pay any tax due. If you cannot file your return by the deadline, request an automatic filing extension to October 17th. However, if you expect to owe tax, estimate the amount and pay it by April 18th to avoid late payment penalties.

FIRST 2022 QUARTERLY ESTIMATED TAX PAYMENTS: If you earn income and either do not pay federal taxes through paycheck withholding or do not expect your withholding to cover your 2022 tax obligations, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. In particular, this requirement applies to many self-employed taxpayers and “gig economy” workers. The first quarterly estimated payments for 2022 are due on April 18th, 2022.

DEADLINE FOR 2021 IRA AND HSA CONTRIBUTIONS: You may be able to treat contributions made by April 18th to your IRA or health savings account (HSA) as 2021 contributions, provided you have not reached your 2021 contribution limit.

2021 FEDERAL TAX AND 2022 ESTIMATED TAX DEADLINES FOR CORPORATIONS: Corporations must file their 2021 federal income tax returns and pay any tax due, and also make their first 2022 estimated income tax payments, by April 18th.

The IRS urges taxpayers who cannot pay the tax they owe to file by the April 18th deadline and pay what they can. By making a payment in any amount now and setting up a payment plan, you may be able to reduce penalties and interest charges.

Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Reporting – Did You Know?

Taxpayers with foreign accounts, such as bank accounts or mutual funds, generally must disclose this information on their tax returns. In most cases, U.S. individuals, trusts, estates and businesses with foreign accounts that totaled over $10,000 any time in 2021 must also file a foreign bank accounts report, or FBAR by April 15, 2022.

The official name of the FBAR form is FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. FinCEN stands for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a separate agency from the IRS. You must submit the FBAR directly to FinCEN – you cannot file it with your tax return. The standard FBAR filing deadline is April 15, although filers typically qualify for an automatic extension to October 15.

Unclaimed 2018 IRS Refunds Deadline – Did You Know?

The IRS has issued a reminder that time is running out to claim your 2018 tax refund if you did not file a 2018 federal return. The deadline to file a 2018 IRS return and claim your refund is April 18, 2022. Filing a missed 2018 return may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if you meet the requirements.

By law, there is a limited three year window to claim a refund. After that date, unclaimed 2018 federal tax refunds will become the property of the U.S. Treasury.

Tax-related Text Message Scams – Did You Know?

Scammers continue to use IRS impersonation schemes to steal personal information or trick people out of their hard-earned money. In 2021, monitoring agencies saw a dramatic increase in text message tax scams, many of them related to the pandemic.

Several texting scams involve messages that appear to be from the IRS, claiming that the recipient is entitled to a coronavirus “stimulus payment.” The message may have a link to a bogus IRS or other official-looking website, created to harvest banking or other private information. Alternatively, the scammer may request a fee to help collect the supposed stimulus money.

As a rule, the IRS does not send text messages about personal tax matters, except for verification codes for taxpayers logging into their IRS accounts. Do not reply and do not click on any links.

The IRS also does not contact taxpayers via email to request personal or financial information, or leave urgent or threatening phone messages. If you receive a suspicious phone call or message from someone claiming to represent the IRS, hang up or do not reply. Play it safe and contact the IRS directly to inquire about the matter.