Comments on: A Quick and Easy Way to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Wed, 22 May 2013 17:41:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Wayne http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1287332 Wayne Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:56:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1287332 JD, thank you for posting this when you did... we filed paper returns this year for the first time in YEARS and I was a little nervous about it getting there as we had to attach a bunch of not-easy-to-replace documents. After tracking our return on USPS and seeing their status there as being in Kansas for over a week, after seeing your post I went on the IRS site, checked my status, and they had the return already... whew... JD, thank you for posting this when you did… we filed paper returns this year for the first time in YEARS and I was a little nervous about it getting there as we had to attach a bunch of not-easy-to-replace documents. After tracking our return on USPS and seeing their status there as being in Kansas for over a week, after seeing your post I went on the IRS site, checked my status, and they had the return already… whew…

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]]> By: lisa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1251272 lisa Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:27:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1251272 We have been on both sides where we owed money and where we have gotten a refund. We have found that for us, we prefer the refund. It came out handy this year as we had a job loss and are searching for work. We have been on both sides where we owed money and where we have gotten a refund. We have found that for us, we prefer the refund. It came out handy this year as we had a job loss and are searching for work.

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]]> By: Kellen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1250282 Kellen Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:07:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1250282 I think the refund can be a mental thing, like the debt snowball idea. I could keep $10 from being withheld each month, instead of getting a refund of $120, but somehow getting the $120 all at once seems better. Incidentally, I had to pay this year, as I worked as a "contractor" over the summer. Pretty much 1/3 of my annual income came from that "self-employed" period, but before marking that income as self-employed, I was going to get a refund of over $1,000. After marking it as self-employed, I had to pay about $1,000! Luckily, it wasn't unexpected. As an accountant, this time of year we are preparing 1st quarter estimates for our clients, and I agree with the business owners out there, figuring out how much to withhold on your business can be very tricky! If you're new business owners, paying extra estimated tax could definitely be a good idea, so you don't get hit with penalties later! I think the refund can be a mental thing, like the debt snowball idea. I could keep $10 from being withheld each month, instead of getting a refund of $120, but somehow getting the $120 all at once seems better.

Incidentally, I had to pay this year, as I worked as a “contractor” over the summer. Pretty much 1/3 of my annual income came from that “self-employed” period, but before marking that income as self-employed, I was going to get a refund of over $1,000. After marking it as self-employed, I had to pay about $1,000! Luckily, it wasn’t unexpected.

As an accountant, this time of year we are preparing 1st quarter estimates for our clients, and I agree with the business owners out there, figuring out how much to withhold on your business can be very tricky! If you’re new business owners, paying extra estimated tax could definitely be a good idea, so you don’t get hit with penalties later!

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]]> By: Ryan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1249492 Ryan Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:56:45 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1249492 I hate getting a refund, I'd rather have it now and save it myself. Here's the thing though, my allowances are already set at 15 and I got (what I consider) a huge refund this year. Is there a limit to how many allowances I can claim without any negative consequences (audits, etc)? I hate getting a refund, I’d rather have it now and save it myself. Here’s the thing though, my allowances are already set at 15 and I got (what I consider) a huge refund this year. Is there a limit to how many allowances I can claim without any negative consequences (audits, etc)?

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]]> By: the other Tammy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1249312 the other Tammy Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:30:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1249312 My husband owns a small business and I am a traditional employee at a bank. I withhold the max I can to cover any tax my husband might have to pay. Our business is still pretty new and the idea of a big old tax bill is very scary to me. I'd rather budget what I've got and get a nice surprise at tax time. Incidentally, we got a great big refund and our debt snowball is ROLLING!!!! My husband owns a small business and I am a traditional employee at a bank. I withhold the max I can to cover any tax my husband might have to pay. Our business is still pretty new and the idea of a big old tax bill is very scary to me. I’d rather budget what I’ve got and get a nice surprise at tax time.

Incidentally, we got a great big refund and our debt snowball is ROLLING!!!!

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]]> By: Sarah http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1248872 Sarah Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:17:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1248872 I love getting a refund. Yes, I could have less tax withheld and have a slightly higher pay cheque, but I find that we use it better if it comes in a lump sum at the end of the tax year. It allows us to easily choose how to spend it, with much less discipline than if we saved it off every pay cheque. I love getting a refund. Yes, I could have less tax withheld and have a slightly higher pay cheque, but I find that we use it better if it comes in a lump sum at the end of the tax year. It allows us to easily choose how to spend it, with much less discipline than if we saved it off every pay cheque.

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]]> By: Jay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1248762 Jay Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:45:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1248762 "Loving" to get a tax return is like buying something for $20, pay with a $50 bill, and get $25 in change back and getting excited that the cashier gave you $25... I will take lower taxes over having to deal with deductions, refunds, and all that mess any time. “Loving” to get a tax return is like buying something for $20, pay with a $50 bill, and get $25 in change back and getting excited that the cashier gave you $25…
I will take lower taxes over having to deal with deductions, refunds, and all that mess any time.

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]]> By: Patti http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1248132 Patti Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:39:11 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1248132 For the first time in a long time I got a refund this year, but unfortunately it's being used to pay off a balance of the 2009 taxes when I had was withholding too little from my paycheck. Since then, many life changes (separation, move to another state, new job, new consciousness about finances) has meant that I should continue to get a refund unless tax code changes drastically. So this year, I have changed my w-4 and am putting the money away towards my goals. I love working towards my financial freedom! For the first time in a long time I got a refund this year, but unfortunately it’s being used to pay off a balance of the 2009 taxes when I had was withholding too little from my paycheck. Since then, many life changes (separation, move to another state, new job, new consciousness about finances) has meant that I should continue to get a refund unless tax code changes drastically. So this year, I have changed my w-4 and am putting the money away towards my goals.

I love working towards my financial freedom!

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]]> By: retirebyforty http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1247302 retirebyforty Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:14:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1247302 We've always had to pay the tax man on April 15th. This year will probably be worse than usual because we took profit on some stocks last year. I haven't started this year either, it's just been so busy. We’ve always had to pay the tax man on April 15th. This year will probably be worse than usual because we took profit on some stocks last year.
I haven’t started this year either, it’s just been so busy.

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]]> By: Brent http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1247132 Brent Fri, 11 Mar 2011 02:15:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1247132 Refund? I can't remember the last time we got one. I'd almost forgotten it was possible to get a refund. Refund? I can’t remember the last time we got one. I’d almost forgotten it was possible to get a refund.

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]]> By: Nicole http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1247122 Nicole Fri, 11 Mar 2011 02:10:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1247122 Maybe *this* weekend we'll sit down and do our taxes... Maybe *this* weekend we’ll sit down and do our taxes…

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]]> By: Joan Concilio Otto http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1246972 Joan Concilio Otto Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:37:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1246972 There's a third choice, too. Some of us get a refund not as forced savings, and not because we're too lazy to change our withholding, but because of our deductions! We hold out the minimum allowed in our company, but we still get a sizable amount back. (Especially this year, since we had to get a new heating system, an energy-efficient one!) There’s a third choice, too. Some of us get a refund not as forced savings, and not because we’re too lazy to change our withholding, but because of our deductions! We hold out the minimum allowed in our company, but we still get a sizable amount back. (Especially this year, since we had to get a new heating system, an energy-efficient one!)

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]]> By: Sustainable PFs http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1246962 Sustainable PFs Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:11:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1246962 The CRA has a similar service up here in Canada. Very handy. The CRA has a similar service up here in Canada. Very handy.

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]]> By: imelda http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1246922 imelda Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:57:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1246922 Thank you for not being condescending about people who get a tax refund, as so many PF bloggers (and commenters) are. I think it's a perfectly reasonable thing to do for people who struggle to save on their own. Thank you for not being condescending about people who get a tax refund, as so many PF bloggers (and commenters) are. I think it’s a perfectly reasonable thing to do for people who struggle to save on their own.

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]]> By: leslie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1246862 leslie Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:02:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1246862 I am getting a mid-size refund this year (about $1600 or so). I am using it to pay back my emergency fund for some money I had to use when a home improvement project went over budget, pay for the accountant to do my tax returns and then the remainder is being split between my Roth IRA and my DH's. I honestly wasn't expecting anything (and I owed the state $6) but I decided that I am using the "windfall" conservatively so it works out ok for me. I am getting a mid-size refund this year (about $1600 or so). I am using it to pay back my emergency fund for some money I had to use when a home improvement project went over budget, pay for the accountant to do my tax returns and then the remainder is being split between my Roth IRA and my DH’s. I honestly wasn’t expecting anything (and I owed the state $6) but I decided that I am using the “windfall” conservatively so it works out ok for me.

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]]> By: sarah http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1246832 sarah Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:55:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1246832 I did mine the second I could... I actually did a dry run with the final paycheck stubs on 1/1. I have a small business on the side and it's so hard to get the withholding right, I get very antsy about taxes. This year I owed WAY less than I thought (the opposite of last year) so that was a very nice new year's gift. I did mine the second I could… I actually did a dry run with the final paycheck stubs on 1/1. I have a small business on the side and it’s so hard to get the withholding right, I get very antsy about taxes. This year I owed WAY less than I thought (the opposite of last year) so that was a very nice new year’s gift.

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]]> By: El Nerdo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/03/10/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund/comment-page-1/#comment-1246722 El Nerdo Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:22:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=71452#comment-1246722 I got my refund on February 18th, after the IRS confirmed acceptance on the 5th. Perfect timing according to this chart: http://www.efile.com/tax-refund/where-is-my-refund/#refund-dates We didn't "choose" the refund, but we get one official paycheck that deducts and was the source for it. I got my refund on February 18th, after the IRS confirmed acceptance on the 5th.

Perfect timing according to this chart:

http://www.efile.com/tax-refund/where-is-my-refund/#refund-dates

We didn’t “choose” the refund, but we get one official paycheck that deducts and was the source for it.

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