2012 IRS Refund Schedule
When filing tax returns, the second question everyone asks is “How long does it take to get my tax refund back?” Of course, the first question everyone asks is “How much is my refund?”
For information on the 2013 tax refund schedule see: How Long Does it Take to Get Your Tax Refund Back?
Tax Refund Direct Deposit versus Mail
If you want to get your refund faster, opt for the direct deposit route. Not only will the IRS send your money a week earlier via direct deposit, but you’ll cut down on the mailing time too.
IRS Tax Refund Schedule
Here is the 2012 IRS refund schedule for both direct deposit and mailed refunds. The IRS doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive your refund by a certain date, but the schedule they publish does give some guidance.
Please note that the dates provided are for efiled returns only. In addition, the schedule doesn’t differentiate returns filed by the tax deadline, so be sure you’ve filed in time.
Update: The IRS has issued a tax refund delay alert. There is approximately a one week delay for some taxpayers who filed their 2011 taxes to get your tax refund in 2012.
2nd Update: The IRS requested tax preparers to return to legacy efile processing on Feb. 11, 2012 after they discovered some issues with returns filed between February 6 and 10, 2012. In addition “some taxpayers who filed electronically and received an acknowledgement from the IRS are concerned when they visit “Where’s My Refund” and are told that IRS has no information regarding their tax return… This is a temporary situation and should be resolved in several days. The IRS expects the vast majority of tax refunds to continue to be issued within the historical range of 10 to 21 days.”
3rd Update: Preparers can again use modernized efile. However, no additional updates on timeframes for tax refunds were provided.
For more detailed information on the updates, see the 2012 IRS tax refund delay.
Share your results: Poll: How Long Did it Take to Get Your Tax Refund?
2012 Tax Refund Schedule
| Transmitted and accepted (by 11 am) between: | Direct Deposit Sent | Paper Check Mailed |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 17 and Jan 18, 2012 | Jan 25, 2012 | Jan 27, 2012 |
| Jan 19 and Jan 25, 2012 | Feb 1, 2012 | Feb 3, 2012 |
| Jan 26 and Feb 1, 2012 | Feb 8, 2012 | Feb 10, 2012 |
| Feb 2 and Feb 8, 2012 | Feb 15, 2012 | Feb 17, 2012 |
| Feb 9 and Feb 15, 2012 | Feb 22, 2012 | Feb 24, 2012 |
| Feb 16 and Feb 22, 2012 | Feb 29, 2012 | Mar 2, 2012 |
| Feb 23 and Feb 29, 2012 | Mar 7, 2012 | Mar 9, 2012 |
| Mar 1 and Mar 7, 2012 | Mar 14, 2012 | Mar 16, 2012 |
| Mar 8 and Mar 14, 2012 | Mar 21, 2012 | Mar 23, 2012 |
| Mar 15 and Mar 21, 2012 | Mar 28, 2012 | Mar 30, 2012 |
| Mar 22 and Mar 28, 2012 | Apr 4, 2012 | Apr 6, 2012 |
| Mar 29 and Apr 4, 2012 | Apr 11, 2012 | Apr 13, 2012 |
| Apr 5 and Apr 11, 2012 | Apr 18, 2012 | Apr 20, 2012 |
| Apr 12 and Apr 18, 2012 | Apr 25, 2012 | Apr 27, 2012 |
| Apr 19 and Apr 25, 2012 | May 2, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| Apr 26 and May 2, 2012 | May 9, 2012 | May 11, 2012 |
You can compare the IRS refund delay to last year based on the 2011 tax refund status.
IRS Tax Refund Status
You can also track the status of your tax refund with the IRS tool Where’s My Refund? or the IRS Refund Tracker Tax App.
While You Wait for Your Refund
Was your tax refund smaller than expected? While you are waiting for your tax refund, take a look around and find some additional ways to add to your refund amount. Here are some ways to get started:
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