If you’ve filed your taxes and gotten the glorious news you were hoping to hear, that you’ve got a tax refund coming your way, the first question out of your mouth might be, “Sweet, what should I spend it on?” And perhaps the next most important question you’ll ask: “So, when will I get it?” Apparently we can’t rely on the “Where is my refund?” page on the IRS’ website to get an answer for that one. It’s reportedly down for a few days. Oops. Not the best timing, but the IRS is assuring those that have filed already that despite the website glitch, they are still processing tax returns as normal and it shouldn’t cause a delay on receiving your moulah. The Huffington Post reported today,
“Where is my refund? It’s a question Americans are probably asking themselves increasingly as they file their taxes.
But they might have trouble finding an answer. Some Americans visiting the Internal Revenue Service’s “Where’s my refund” page are getting a message indicating the IRS has no information about their return — even though they’ve filed their return electronically, according to the IRS website. But don’t worry, the IRS says the situation is temporary and expects “to resolve the matter in a few days,” according to the site.
The reason for the glitch? A new e-file system that’s aimed in part at increasing safeguards against refund fraud, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. But this isn’t the “Where’s my refund?” tool’s first snafu this year. At the beginning of tax season the IRS was issuing refunds to taxpayers a week later than the tool told them to expect their check.
Though it’s causing some trouble, the new e-file system’s extra protections against refund fraud may be necessary. Some residents of Sylvester, Georgia are getting their refunds swiped after thieves stole their identities and then got their refunds through Turbo Tax, according to the local NBC and ABC affiliate.”
To read the rest of the Huffington Post article, go here.
I personally have a lot of faith in the IRS, and the fact that the glitch is due to extra safety precautions against fraud is a decent reason. As someone who’s had their credit card number stolen before, mind you not the actual card, just the number (which was then used to purchase about $500 in automotive supplies three hours away,) I appreciate any effort to amp up the safeguards against fraud. Be patient, my friends. If a tax refund is coming your way, it’ll be worth the wait.
