Federal Income Tax Refund Checks
How to Update a Mailing Address with the IRS and Check Status Online
If a taxpayer still hasn't received a 2006 refund, it is possible that the IRS does not have his or her current mailing address.
This article will discuss how to check on the status of a federal income tax refund and update a mailing address on file with the IRS. It will also cover how to request direct deposit, which is the only way to ensure an income tax refund is received in a timely manner.
In the November 2007 news release, IR-2007-189, the IRS announced that $110 million worth of 2006 tax year refund checks were returned as undeliverable by mail. The problem arose from incorrect mailing addresses, presumably for taxpayers who moved after filing their tax returns and did not notify the IRS.
How to Check on the Status of Income Tax Refunds
To check on the status of a federal income tax refund, taxpayers may use the “Where’s My Refund” tool on the IRS website or call 1-800-829-1954. The IRS may request the following personal information to validate an individual's identity:
- Social security number
- Filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.)
- Exact amount of the refund
How to Update a Mailing Address with the IRS
To update an address with the IRS, taxpayers should call 1-800-829-1040 or complete Form 8822, Change of Address. Married couples may use a single form, but individuals must file their own forms (including children at the same address who filed separate tax returns). As an added measure, taxpayers should update their addresses with the postal service as well. This can be done online or by mail. Change of address packets should be available at all post office locations.
Ensure Timely Receipt of a 2007 Income Tax Refund
The only way to ensure a refund will not be returned to the IRS as undeliverable is to allow the IRS to deposit the refund directly into a bank account. For this reason, as well as to guard against theft, the IRS strongly encourages taxpayers to use direct deposit. Taxpayers can request direct deposit on page two of Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. To do so, taxpayers should simply provide the routing number and account number for the checking or savings account into which they’d like the refund deposited.
Some taxpayers may prefer to split their refund among several accounts (the IRS allows refunds to be split up to three ways). To deposit an income tax refund into two or three different bank accounts, taxpayers should complete Form 8888, Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account, instead of indicating a bank account on page two of Form 1040.
The tax forms mentioned in this article are available for download on the IRS website.
Source: IRS Website
Other Tax Season Resources:
Free Federal Tax Return Filing
