With tax season in full swing and the April 15 deadline less than three weeks away, many filers will be keeping an eye out for refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Federal tax returns are due on April 15 nationwide, with an exception for those in Maine and Massachusetts because of a state holiday. In these two states, returns and payments are due on April 17. If you get an extension, your income tax returns will be due on October 15 instead.
With the deadline for submission fast approaching, one popular post on social media has included a calendar of dates for expected tax refunds, presented as if it had been produced by the IRS.
The Claim
A TikTok posted by user iamreka14, viewed 834,000 times, included a copy of a calendar that read “2024 IRS Tax Refund Calendar” with the IRS logo. The calendar included columns for the date the return is accepted corresponding with the likely dates for direct deposits and paper checks.
User iamreka14 said “2024 IRS tax refund calculator. So, who’s ready for this tax refund cheque? I found this on Facebook and I was like ‘Let me go help my followers out over here on TikTok’ ’cause you know I like helping y’all out and giving y’all all that good information.
“So guys, for example, if your date accepted on your tax refund is January 23 to January 27, you’ll get your direct deposit sent to you on February 16 and your paper cheque mail will be sent to you on February 23.
“Another example will be if your date accepted is June 2 through June 8, your direct deposit will be sent to you on June 28 and your paper cheque mail will be sent to you on July 5.”
Another post by user janaylove11, viewed 1.1 million times, included the same calendar.
The Facts
According to the IRS, it usually takes less than 21 days to issue refunds from when tax returns are accepted. This, it says, is what happens in more than nine out of 10 cases.
In keeping with this guidance issued by the IRS, the calendars shared on TikTok are not that far off from what most filers are likely to expect.
Other websites and bloggers such as The College Investor have produced similar estimates.
However, refunds can take longer if returns are sent by mail, contain errors or are incomplete, need further review, are affected by identity theft or fraud, or were referred to the IRS by the bank due to suspicious activity, among other reasons.
A full list of issues that may cause delays are listed on the IRS website.
An IRS spokesperson told Newsweek, “The IRS issues most refunds in the normal time frame, less than 21 days.
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“However, it is possible that some tax returns may require further review and could result in the refund being delayed.
“Therefore, there is not a specific calendar published on the IRS website for the exact timing of refunds based on a particular date they are filed.”
So, while the information may help give a rough idea of when a refund is due, it’s not an iron-clad guarantee and the calendar itself, despite its appearances, was not produced by the IRS either.
The IRS has recommended using electronic filing as the easiest way to file your returns, which, in turn, can help speed up tax refunds.
Newsweek has recently produced a guide giving tips on how to avoid common mistakes that can slow down the refund process. The IRS has said that since 2020 almost one million people have not claimed tax refunds, which added up are worth more than $1 billion in value.
The Ruling
Needs Context.
It usually takes 21 days from the date a tax return is accepted to receive a refund, roughly in keeping with the dates on the calendar shared on social media. However, there are exceptions to the rule that can affect when refunds are issued. The IRS told Newsweek that it does not produce a calendar for this reason.
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek’s Fact Check team
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.