Nothing directly from the IRS yet, but according to the Nov.21st Kiplinger Tax Letter the IRS will not be giving refund dates for 2012 returns.
The IRS has always published Pub. 2043 which gave tax pros target dates for refunds. Based on when the return was electronically accepted by the IRS, we would get a target releases date for both direct deposited and mailed refunds. This was when the IRS would release the money to the bank or when they would mail the check. But because of the problems with refunds last year, the IRS looks to be defaulting to a “within about 21 days” time frame.
The 2012 filing season (2011 returns) was a mess. First, fraud filters worked too well and delayed many of the first returns filed. Then many early February returns were caught in a bottleneck caused by the new Modernized e-File system. The MeF worked well but other systems couldn’t handle the faster processing and bogged down. Once all these issues were resolved, some taxpayers still had to wait longer than projected for their refunds.
So for 2013 filing season (2012 returns), it looks like all we will get is a general 21days time frame until the return is being processed and appears in the “Where’s My Refund” database.
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Thanks for this info. Last year I put a label on all client refund envelopes that gave the "Where's My Refund" web site. Even though it created a panic for some clients when their returns weren't showing, think I will put the label on again this year...and just cross my fingers that it works correctly this year.
Posted by: Cindy Galford | November 26, 2012 at 02:44 PM
Thanks for the article. It is good to know what clients may expect if they are due a refund. 2011 did seem to be mixed results for some in terms of processing & refunds.
Posted by: Mike M | November 28, 2012 at 03:26 PM
I'd just like a target date on when I can tell my clients how much to withhold for 2013.
Posted by: CaryTax | November 29, 2012 at 01:00 PM
The 21 days blanket answer works for me...clients shouldn't be counting so much on that refund anyway.
Posted by: Belinda | December 06, 2012 at 06:56 AM