Where's my tax refund? Here's when to expect your RI, federal refunds this year
Wheeler Cowperthwaite- The average early Rhode Island refund is up to $792
- State tax call wait times are down to 1 minute, 49 seconds
With the 2024 tax season starting on Jan. 29 and tax returns due on April 15, state and federal refunds are already being sent out. So, how long will it take to get yours?
It depends.
Rhode Island refunds, for simple tax situations with no complications, are being issued within two to three weeks of a digital return's filing. It's been that way for the last few years, Tax Administrator Neena Savage said.
Federal tax refunds, especially direct deposits, are being issued within 21 days, according to the IRS's website. That is the same estimate that was given for last year's tax season.
So far this year, Rhode Island has processed 231,947 personal returns, about 12,000 more returns than same time last year, Savage said.
The number of refunds processed so far is 150,464, totaling $119 million.
The average state refund so far this year is $792, compared to $718 the same time last year.
"This tax season is, knock on wood, going according to our expectations," Savage said.
Another indicator the Division of Taxation uses to see how the tax season is going is the number of calls they receive, which is down so far this year, and the wait time on the phone, which averages 1 minute and 49 seconds.
The best way to contact the state is through email, with a response usually supplied within two business days, she said.
Skip down to what this story covers
When will I receive my Rhode Island tax refund?
When will I receive my federal tax refund?
Why would my Rhode Island refund be slow in coming?
How to check the status of your Rhode Island refund
How to check the status of your federal refund
What should I do if my federal refund is missing?
What should I do if my Rhode Island refund is missing?
How to check the status of your Massachusetts refund
How (most people) can file their taxes for free
When will I receive my Rhode Island tax refund?
For simple tax returns with an owed refund, those who filed digitally should expect the refund check to hit their bank accounts within two or three weeks of filing.
Anyone who mailed a paper tax return can expect a longer delay, as they take longer to process.
If there is no refund for a simple, digital tax return after six weeks, Savage said to send the division an email at Tax.Assist@tax.ri.gov.
Rhode Island offers a website to check the status of tax refunds: www.ri.gov/taxation/refund/
When will I receive my federal tax refund?
The IRS estimates that most refunds, set for direct deposit, should be issued within 21 days unless there are complications.
The IRS representatives at the Taxpayer Assistance Centers in Providence and Warwick, as well as IRS agents reached on the phone, can't research the status of a refund until it's been pending for 21 days for those filed electronically, or six weeks if it was mailed.
Why would my Rhode Island refund be slow in coming?
An array of things can slow down the processing of refund checks at the state level, Savage said.
The Division of Taxation runs fraud checks in the background, and some refunds get flagged for extra review because the taxpayer's Social Security number has been previously part of a data breach.
"We run a number of fraud checks in the background," Savage said.
When "something doesn't look right," the state Division of Taxation sends out a letter, asking for more information.
"It's always mail," Savage said. "We never call for that information."
Sometimes people think they haven't received their refund because no check has come in the mail, but their tax preparer put in their bank account information and the return is there, it was a direct deposit, Savage said.
Another common problem is when a single digit is off for a bank account or routing number.
"One number wrong really ties up the return," Savage said.
How do I check the status of my federal tax return/refund?
The IRS offers a website to check the status of a federal refund, www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund.
- Your social security number or tax identification number
- Filing status
- The exact, whole-dollar refund amount.
How do I check the status of my Rhode Island tax refund?
To check the status of a Rhode Island tax return or refund, go to www.ri.gov/taxation/refund/
How do I check the status of a Massachusetts tax return/refund?
Massachusetts offers an online tool to check the status of a tax refund at mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc
How do I check the status of a Connecticut tax return/refund?
Connecticut offers an online tool to check the status of a tax refund at: drs.ct.gov/eservices/_/#1
What should I do if my federal refund is missing?
The first step is to check whether a refund check was issued, using the IRS's "Where's My Refund" tool (www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund) or calling them at 800-829-1954, the automated system, or by calling for an agent, at 800-829-1040.
Married couples who filed jointly and asked for a paper check must download and complete Form 3911 to get a replacement/trace process started, according to the IRS website.
If a paper check was issued but was not cashed, a replacement check is sent once the old one has been cancelled. If it was cashed, the Bureau of the Fiscal Services gives taxpayers a claim package to start the reissue process, according to the website.
What should I do if my Rhode Island refund is missing?
If there is no refund for a simple, digital tax return after six weeks, Savage said to send the Division of Taxation an email.
Any number of issues can slow down refund issuance, including employers not submitting the amount they withheld from paychecks on time. If there is something else the division needs, they will send the request by mail, so check the mailbox, Savage said.
However, taxpayers should wait for a response from the state tax representatives, instead of bombarding them with emails.
"Repeat inquiries can cause delays," she said.
How most people can file their taxes for free
A wide swath of Rhode Island taxpayers can file their taxes for free this year, either using the IRS's Free File program, or going to a volunteer tax preparer.
The do-it-yourself-route applies to anyone with an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or below. Read our full guide to see which program is probably best for you.
For anyone with an income of $64,000 or below, volunteer tax preparers across the state will do your taxes for you, part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program, administered by the United Way. Read our feature story on the program to learn more about it.
For a more general look, consider our guide on what to know about taxes this year.
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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.