Filing your return is just the beginning! There are a lot of different situations and questions that arise after filing a tax return. Below are some of the most common questions that arise after filing.
After your return has been accepted, you can check the status of your refund on the IRS Where's My Refund? webpage. The IRS may take up to 72 hours (3 to 4 weeks for a paper-filed return) to provide information for an e-filed return, and the webpage is only updated once per day. Be sure to have a copy of your filing status, the primary SSN on the return, and the exact whole-dollar amount of the refund.
The IRS also offers a toll-free Refund Hotline for taxpayers who want to check the status of their current year refund. You can call 1-800-829-1954 for automated refund information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Tax records should be kept for a minimum of three years from the filing date.
If you change your address after you have filed your return, you should send Form 8822 Change of Address to the IRS. If you are expecting a refund through the mail, you should also file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service so they can forward your refund check to the correct address.
If you notice a mistake after your e-filed return has been accepted or after mailing a paper return, wait until you receive your refund before you do anything. The IRS will often catch simple omissions or minor mistakes. It is possible that they will correct the error for you and adjust your refund accordingly. If this is the case, you would not need to file an amended return. To correct any mistakes (or add a W-2, 1099, etc.) after receiving your refund, you will need to file IRS Form 1040-X Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Go to our Form 1040-X - How to Create an Amended Return FAQ for steps to amend your return. Make sure to print a copy of the return you originally filed before making any changes for your amended return.