Efile - Your Tax Returns For Faster Refunds

E-file, or electronic filing, is a way to file your federal income tax return with the IRS electronically. It is the fastest and most accurate way to file your return, and it can help you get your refund faster.

To e-file your return, you will need to use tax preparation software or an e-file provider. Tax preparation software can help you prepare your return and file it electronically. E-file providers are companies that offer electronic filing services.

Once you have prepared your return, you can e-file it using your tax preparation software or e-file provider. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and other identifying information. You will also need to provide the IRS with your bank account information if you want to receive your refund directly into your bank account.

After you have e-filed your return, the IRS will send you a confirmation email. You can also check the status of your return on the IRS website.

Here are some of the benefits of e-filing your tax return:

Faster processing: E-filed returns are processed much faster than paper returns. You can expect to receive your refund within 21 days of e-filing.
Greater accuracy: E-filed returns are more accurate than paper returns because the IRS software checks for errors as you file.
Reduced risk of fraud: E-filing is more secure than paper filing because the IRS uses the latest security technologies to protect your information.
Convenience: E-filing is convenient because you can file your return from anywhere with an internet connection.

Why choose eFile.com?

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The Top Reasons Why Taxpayers are Choosing and Trusting eFile.

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FreeTaxUSA’s service cost is free for federal tax filing for all taxpayers and free for state tax filing for taxpayers in most states. The only exceptions for state tax filing are New York, Idaho, and Oregon, where FreeTaxUSA charges a small fee.

FreeTaxUSA also offers a number of paid services, such as:

Deluxe: $7.99 – Adds live support, unlimited amended returns, and priority processing.
Self-Employed: $14.99 – Adds support for self-employed income and expenses.
Prior Year Amendments: $17.97 – Allows you to amend your prior year’s tax return.
Audit Assistance: $36.95 – Provides access to a tax professional who can help you with an IRS audit.

Overall, FreeTaxUSA is a very affordable tax preparation service. It offers free federal and state tax filing for most taxpayers, and its paid services are reasonably priced.

Here is a table summarizing FreeTaxUSA’s service costs:

| Service | Cost | |—|—|—|

| Federal tax filing | Free |

| State tax filing (most states) | Free |

| State tax filing (New York, Idaho, and Oregon) | Small fee |

| Deluxe | $7.99 | | Self-Employed | $14.99 |

| Prior Year Amendments | $17.97 |

| Audit Assistance | $36.95 |

2023 Tax Calculator to Estimate Your 2024 Tax Refund

This tax calculator is for 2023 Tax Returns due in 2024. The calculator is being updated with the latest IRS data as it’s published.

This calculator will estimate your 2023 Tax Return and refund. You prepare and e-File your taxes from January 2024 until October 15, 2023; the IRS tax deadline is is April 15, 2024. If you owe taxes by April 15 and miss this deadline penalties might apply.
Check your personal tax efund anticipation date or how long it might take to receive your refund after your return was e-Filed.
Need to file state taxes? Select a state and estimate your state income taxes.
No need to read all the latest Tax Mumbo Jumbo, use any of the over 15 easy-to-use tax preparation tools or calculators and get tax answers to your own tax questions.
Got Tax Questions? Contact an eFile.com Taxpert^® before, during, or after you prepare an eFile.
Of course, if you are ready to prepare and eFile your 2023 Return then let’s go and eFileIT now: IT is Income Taxes!

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IRS Tax Refund Status for 2023 – 2022 Returns

Your personal IRS and/or state tax refund date can only be reported once the IRS/state has accepted and begun processing your latest income tax return(s). The IRS refund status tool shows your 2022, 2021, and 2020 Return statuses. If you filed your latest return through eFile.com, verify that your return was accepted before using the tool below to find the status of your latest tax refund.

Important: Information on potential IRS Tax Return processing delays.

Check Where is my refund?

Check the state tax refund status of your 2022 State Return(s) after you have filed.

If you used e-Collect and once the IRS and state agency have released your refund money, check the e-Collect refund status .
The IRS acceptance date is not necessarily the same as the date you e-filed or submitted your return.
Most returns will show on the IRS refund tool after being accepted within 24 – 72 hours after e-filing or four weeks after the taxpayer mailed their return.

2022 Tax Refund Status In 2023

Most federal tax refunds are issued within 21 days, but some take longer. The fastest way to get your refund is to e-file your return and use direct deposit. Taxpayers generally cannot “speed up” the process in any way; if your refund is delayed, you should not file an amendment, contact the IRS, contact a tax preparer, or order a transcript. The information that is available on the IRS refund tool is the same information that IRS telephone representatives or tax preparation support agents will have access to.

Your refund may be delayed due to:

Errors on the return, such as wrongly claiming a dependent or tax credit
Identify theft or fraud
Additional review is required
The Earned Income Tax Credit and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit needs review
The bank or financial institution is closed due to a holiday or weekend.

If more than 21 days have passed on your e-filed return and/or the IRS refund status tool instructs you to take action, contact the IRS. If the tool indicates a change or an offset to the refund amount and your refund is not what you expected, there is generally a details button to select, but the IRS will also mail a notice explaining the changes.

Tax Refund Delays

The IRS provided more information on the delays they have been facing with processing 2020 and 2021 Refunds which may affect your 2022 Refund. See previous articles: IRS tax refund delays 2021 and the early 2022 National Taxpayer Advocate report for 2021 Refunds.

If you are looking for your IRS refund status when the IRS refund status tool says that information cannot be displayed at this time if there is no record of this return, consider these key points from the June 2022 report:

The IRS paper processing effort is outdated and needs updating – they intend to work on this throughout 2023.
The IRS needs to double its current processing rate in order to keep up, but this cannot be done due to understaffing.
The previous backlog of 20 million returns has increased to 21.3 million returns.
The IRS had around 15.8 million returns which were suspended and required manual review by IRS employees often due to the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) entries taxpayers claimed they did not receive when they actually did.
- The IRS identified 12.1 million math errors for the RRC, CTC, and others.
- There are. 13.3 million returns awaiting processing and 6.8 million returns are suspended.
- For these errors, the IRS issued a letter that can be responded to by the taxpayer – responding to this letter added to the delays.
The IRS works on a first come first served basis, meaning they will continue working through previously mailed 2020 Returns before working on 2021 Returns.
The total unprocessed returns count, including individual, business, and amended returns, is 23.8 million returns.

Here are common reasons why your refund may be delayed:

The return is being used to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit – both of these require additional processing times for identity verification purposes.
The bank processing timeframe may be slower than others, perhaps due to your bank not processing on a weekend day.
The return requires additional review, due to incompletion, errors, or identity verification.
- Most common for 2020 and 2021 Returns: The IRS adjusted the Recovery Rebate Credit for the stimulus payment amount claimed on the return.

If additional details are needed or the IRS makes an adjustment to your return, this is generally shown on the IRS refund status tool and they will issue you a notice through the mail explaining the changes and any action needed.

Many taxpayers experienced slower than anticipated IRS tax refund processing speed or time for their 2020 and 2021 Refunds which may continue into 2023 for your 2022 Return. If your status shows that your information entered was incorrect when you are certain you have entered the right data, this may be due to these delays, meaning they do not have a record of the data or refund amount you entered in their system yet, and thus cannot display the information.

Because of this, you may not have a tax refund status. In some cases, you may have a status one day, then the status bar may disappear, and/or you may not have any information. This does not necessarily mean the IRS does not have your return if you verified your return was accepted. See sample tax refund status messages you might see when you check your status on the IRS tool.

Your tax refund may still be processed due to these IRS delays. Taxpayers do not need to file an additional return or tax amendment as this will not affect the rate at which the IRS processes returns and refunds.

If your return is still processing, you can continue to check your status online once per day to see if it is updated by the IRS. It is possible that your return was affected by the amount claimed for the Recovery Rebate Credit as the IRS had confirmed that inaccurate entries of stimulus checks reported resulted in additional review time of the return in question.

If your return was e-filed and accepted, return here to check on the status of your IRS refund. Before the IRS can release your tax refund, your return must first be accepted by the IRS. Check your tax return acceptance status by signing in to your eFile.com account. Your tax return acceptance notice will be on the first page on the right. eFile.com sends out emails as soon as your return is accepted by the IRS and state.

If you mailed your return to the IRS, there may be further delays. The IRS processes mail in the order it is received and instructs taxpayers to not file a second return or call the IRS.

State tax refunds are processed at the expected rate: check your state tax refund here.

Post e-Filing and Tax Refund Questions

Question

Answer, Description

Your eFile.com Return Status?

For eFile.com users only: If the IRS has not yet accepted your return and you e-filed your 2022 Return via eFile.com, find out what your return status is with the IRS. Sign into your eFile.com account and you will see the status of your tax return on the first page (pending, accepted, or rejected). If rejected, you will find instructions on how to make the correction and re-efile your return for free.

Where Is My State Tax Refund?

For all taxpayers with IRS/state accepted returns: look up the status of your 2022 State Income Tax Refund. Find more State Tax Agency-related information, such as how to pay state taxes and state tax amendments.

e-Collect Refund Status Lookup

For eFile.com Users Only: If you selected the e-Collect or Deduct Fee from Refund tax return preparation payment option on eFile.com, check the status of your e-Collect direct deposit tax refund here. Once the IRS has sent your refund to our partner bank – EPS Financial – your tax refund will be transferred to the bank account you entered on your tax return.

Direct Bank Refund Deposit

If you selected during the e-file checkout process to receive your expected tax refund in your bank account via direct bank deposit, your refund will be electronically transferred from the IRS (U.S. Treasury) to the bank account you enter during your checkout and e-file online process on eFile.com. This is the fastest way to get your refund.

Deposit to third-party App

If you elect to receive your refund via direct deposit to a third-party money-sending app, like Venmo or PayPal, the IRS will send your refund to the account you provided during the eFile.com checkout process. This, like direct deposit, is the fastest way to receive your refund and may even be faster.

DATEucator

The Refund Date Estimator Tool allows you to estimate your tax refund date based on your personal refund transfer method. You can use this tool prior to e-filing or after you e-filed or submitted your tax return. Keep in mind, that once the IRS has accepted your return, the above “Where’s My Tax Refund?” IRS tool is the more accurate way to check your status.

Refund Delay due to Security Checks

Estimated tax refund dates are based on the IRS acceptance date and are not guaranteed by eFile.com, the IRS, or any other online platform. Depending on IRS security procedures, the tax refund date could take up to 21 days after the IRS tax return acceptance date or as early as 7 days via the bank direct deposit method.

Security Delays: Since the IRS has added security measures for e-filing taxes to decrease tax fraud, your tax refund may be delayed. The IRS requires online tax websites to add identity verification steps to ensure that the taxpayer filing their return is exactly who they say they are (i.e. security questions/answers, stronger passwords, etc.). As a result of these new security measures, the IRS may issue more refunds as paper checks, even if taxpayers request direct deposit.

Why Is My Refund Lower?

Your refund may have been offset or adjusted by the IRS – not eFile.com nor whichever tax preparation platform was used. You may have received IRS Notice CP12 detailing the change in your refund. One of the most common reasons for adjusted refunds in 2021 and 2022 was a mis-entry of the Recovery Rebate Credit on Line 30 of the Form 1040.

For example, if you stated that you were owed Stimulus 3 for $1,400 on your eFile account, the software would have added a $1,400 credit to your return. But, if you had already received this amount as an advance payment via Stimulus 3, then the IRS would adjust this on your return and remove the $1,400 credit, thus reducing your refund by $1,400. The Recovery Rebate Credit does not apply to 2022 Returns. See the other reasons for offsets below or this page on offset or reduced tax refunds.

Tax Refund Offset Program.

Your refund may have been adjusted or offset by the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). The program is run by the Financial Management Services (FMS). Under TOP, various federal and state government agencies are authorized to seize outstanding federal or state debts from federal tax refunds.

The FMS may offset part or all of your federal tax refund to pay: Unpaid child support, federal non-tax debts (including student loan repayments), state income tax debts, state unemployment compensation debts, etc. An offset for non-tax debts occurs after the IRS verifies your refund to FMS for payment, but before FMS directly deposits the refund or mails a paper check to you.

Though an offset reduces the amount of your expected refund via direct deposit or check, it does not delay the time you will receive the remaining refund (if any) after the offset. You will receive a notice from FMS via mail. The notice will list the original refund and offset amounts. It will also include the agency that received the offset payment and their contact information: You can call the Treasury Offset Program Call Center at (800) 304-3107.

Injured Spouse Debt, Offset

If you e-filed or filed a joint tax return, you may be entitled to part or all of the refund offset. This rule applies if your spouse is mainly responsible for the debt. Be sure to eFile Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, with your return to request your part of the refund. See also: Innocent Spouse Relief.

Tax Debt

If you have non-tax debts, you can contact the agency you owe. That way, you can determine if the agency submitted your debts to TOP for refund offset. You will need to contact the agency that received the offset part of your refund, not the IRS or FMS. The notice will include instructions on how to contact the appropriate agency or agencies.

Refund Delay due to Tax Amendment

If you mailed a tax amendment, generally you should wait 10-12 weeks before checking your amended tax return status. The IRS online “Where’s My Refund?” service does not keep track of amendment refunds, but you can click on the Check Tax Amendment Status button from the above-linked amendment page. This online tool provides the status of amended tax returns for the current year and up to three prior years. You can also call the IRS amended return hotline at 1-866-464-2050.

Amended returns are currently taking up to 16 weeks (or 4 months) for the IRS to process, so you should wait at least 10-12 weeks before checking on the status of your tax refund. If it has been over 16 weeks since you filed your amendment and you have not received your refund, you should call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a customer service representative. Here’s a tip for when you call: Press 1 (for English), press 0 (zero), press 0 (zero), and you should be able to talk to a live person at the IRS. The best time to reach the IRS is between 7-9 AM and 6-7 PM, Monday-Friday.

Contact eFile Support

Contact us now and get Premium Tax Support regarding your tax return on eFile.com. Work directly with your personal eFile.com assigned Taxpert^®. All your tax questions will be stored on your eFile.com Personal Support Page. Plus, we can schedule personal chat sessions with you.

IRS Phone Numbers

Get frequently used IRS Phone Numbers (tax refund status, transcript request, identity theft help, etc.).

Victim of Fake or Phishing Emails?

Did you get an unwanted email that looks like it’s from the IRS or eFile.com? This identity theft process is called phishing – yes, sounds like fishing. Take immediate actions if you mistakenly fell victim to this.

Tax Audit Questions

Learn about potential or actual tax audits and see tips on how to prepare for this and how to work with us on a tax audit.

Your Identity Theft Concerns, Questions

Do you have suspicion or knowledge of identity theft? Trust us, eFile.com uses the latest identity detection tools available. Find instructions on what to do. Report and share identity theft with us as soon as possible so we can help you.

Refund Delays

If your tax refund payment is delayed or you never received your tax refund or stimulus payment, complete Form 3911 and submit it to the IRS. Mail it to the IRS address based on your resident state. Otherwise, contact the IRS using the phone numbers link above. This is your money; be sure to claim it as, after three years, you can no longer claim a missing tax refund.

Tax Calculators for IRS Income Taxes

Is all this complicated Tax Mumbo Jumbo getting to you? If so, we hear you. Simply fire up one of the 15 tax calculators or estimators below and get your personal “does this apply to me or what should I do for my tax return” answers as easy as one, two, and three without having to read a ton of pages or pay a tax professional to find out.

If you are just here to get your taxes done: let’s go and do your taxes and be done with it. We make Taxes ~~great~~ and simple again for You.

Prepare and e-file your IRS taxes and state income tax returns by the April Tax Day deadline here on eFile.com. Tax Tip: eFile on time even if you can’t pay on time as the IRS penalties to file late are higher than to pay late. Or, to put it simply: file something even if you can’t pay anything!

Note: The free tax calculators and tools are applicable to the current tax year.

Not sure if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit? Look no further: Start the EICucator and get your personal answers. Or, not sure who qualifies as a dependent on your tax return? Just use the DEPENDucator tax tool below and you will find out. All tools will answer your specific tax questions without you having to read through complicated tax text.

10 easy Tax-Tools

Tax Calculators for IRS Returns

Prepare and eFile from January – October following a given tax year as Tax Season begins in January. You can use the eFile platform to prepare and e-file your taxes until mid-October.

Tax Calculators, Estimators

Tax Return Estimator, Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate your return first before you e-file by the April deadline. Know your estimated federal tax refund or if you owe the IRS Taxes.

DATEucator

What is your tax refund date for your latest tax return? Find out the estimated tax refund date of your refund based on the refund payment method you select when you e-file your taxes.

RATEucator

What is your tax bracket and personal tax rate? The eFile.com Tax Bracket or Rate Calculator – RATEucator – will tell you. Find out now by entering simple income figures or estimates.

STATEucator(s)

State income tax calculators are available now. Select your state(s) and estimate your state income taxes; see calculators for all states with income taxes. Prepare and e-file your state’s taxes with your IRS return at one low price, not one price per state.

DEPENDucator

Who is your qualifying dependent or qualifying child? Find out if your child or relative qualifies as a dependent. Has somebody, like an ex-spouse, claimed your dependent before you did?

RELucator

Are you supporting a parent, relative, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc.? Find out who your qualifying relative or dependent is on your tax return.

CAREucator

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is for those who pay for childcare or daycare for their dependent: If you have a child or another dependent on your tax return, find out if you are eligible for this credit.

FILEucator

To eFile or not to eFile a tax return, is that the question? You might be surprised, that filing a return might be beneficial for you! Use the efile.com “FILEucator” tax tool and find out!

HOHucator

Were you single with one or more dependents or qualifying relatives during the year? The head of household filing status might just be for you. Find out before you e-file.

EItCucator

If your taxable income was at a certain level and you are at least 19, let the Earned Income Tax Credit work for you when you prepare and eFile your taxes here on eFile.com! The credit may be increased if you have at least one qualified child.

STATucator

When you prepare a tax return, you have to choose which filing status to use. The eFile.com “STATucator” tool will help you determine which filing status to use. You may select married jointly or separately, widow, single, or head of household.

CHILDucator

The eFile.com “CHILDucator” tax tool will help you determine if your child or dependent qualifies you to claim the Child Tax Credit on your tax return.

Multi-Year PENALTYucator

The IRS penalties for not e-filing or filing a tax return or a tax extension are higher than not paying taxes owed. It’s better to e-file or file your tax return and pay as much taxes as you can afford than not filing at all; see tax payment options including online payment links.

Complete Form W-4

eFile.com has four tools to complete Form W4. Start with basic and fill out your W-4 Form(s) online and email the form to yourself or your employer. eFile.com does not store any of your personal information.

W-4 TAXometer

What you enter on your W4 Form determines to a great extent if you get a tax refund or owe taxes with your tax return. Use the eFile.com “TAXometer” tool to help you determine paycheck tax withholding that works for you or contact a Taxpert^® to get this done right with you.

Back Tax Calculators

Estimate your previous year(‘s) income tax return now and find out what your federal tax refund will be or if you owe taxes. File as soon as possible if you owe tax to reduce penalties.

Tax FORMucator

Search for current or past IRS and/or state tax forms. Keep in mind, when you prepare and e-file via eFile.com, there is no need to select tax forms as it’s all done by the tax app.

Tax Return Timeline

Follow this tax return timeline and you will be on a safe track to get your taxes done right and on time.

Free Fillable Tax Forms

Tax forms for previous tax years you can no longer e-file. You can complete, sign, and download the forms on eFile.com before you print and mail them to the IRS mailing address or state tax agencies.

Ways to Pay for IRS Taxes

If you owe taxes and don’t have the funds now to pay, make sure you e-file a tax extension on eFile.com or eFile your taxes by April 15 as late filing penalties are much higher than late tax payment penalties.

Pay State Income Taxes

Generally, we suggest you pay your taxes online at the state site. If you owe state taxes by the tax deadline, paying some or all your taxes will serve as a tax extension for many states.

Tax Changes

Tax laws or always changing or being adjusted. Start with this easy-to-understand, high-level overview of changes you can expect with your next income tax return.

Tax Calculator 2023

Estimate your 2023 Taxes to get ahead of the game. Attention: It’s important you adjust your tax withholding as early as possible so you don’t give your hard-earned money to the IRS only to get it back as a refund the following year. Use the eFile Withholding Tool and Taxometer to set your tax return goals.

All Tax Calculators

Need to estimate future taxes or calculate back taxes? Find tax calculators by tax year.

Step by Step to Prep

Lean on the steps outlined here to file your next tax return online – we make IT easy on eFile.com.

Spare yourself the hassle of handling and filling out complicated tax forms: e-file your return on eFile.com each year and let us work for you. The eFile Tax App handles all the calculations and associated forms based on user entries. Prepare your taxes now and be done with IT.

Efile – Your Tax Returns For Faster Refunds