IRS e-file – When Will I Get My Refund?

If you are wondering when you can expect to receive your tax refund from the IRS, they have a publication where you can look this information up. If you used IRS e-file, the information is listed in Publication 2043 for 2010. For people who efile, this publication is printed in both English and Spanish.

I copied a portion of the table below which shows when your federal tax refund should be deposited in your bank account (by direct deposit), or when your check would be mailed if you e-filed and your refund was accepted within certain dates.

Transmitted and accepted (by 11:00 am) between…	Direct Deposit Sent	Paper Check Mailed
Jan 15 and Jan 21, 2010	Jan 29, 2010	Feb 5, 2010
Jan 21 and Jan 28, 2010	Feb 5, 2010	Feb 13, 2010
Jan 28 and Feb 4, 2010	Feb 12, 2010	Feb 19, 2010
Feb 4 and Feb 11, 2010	Feb 19, 2010	Feb 26, 2010
Feb 11 and Feb 18, 2010	Feb 26, 2010	Mar 5, 2010
Feb 18 and Feb 25, 2010	Mar 5, 2010	Mar 12, 2010
Feb 25 and Mar 4, 2010	Mar 12, 2010	Mar 19, 2010
Mar 4 and Mar 11, 2010	Mar 19, 2010	Mar 26, 2010
Mar 11 and Mar 18, 2010	Mar 26, 2010	Apr 2, 2010
Mar 18 and Mar 25, 2010	Apr 2, 2010	Apr 9, 2010
Mar 25 and Apr 1, 2010	Apr 9, 2010	Apr 16, 2010
Apr 1 and Apr 8, 2010	Apr 16, 2010	Apr 23, 2010
Apr 8 and Apr 15, 2010	Apr 23, 2010	Apr 30, 2010
Apr 15 and Apr 22, 2010	Apr 30, 2010	May 7, 2010

While it may be interesting information to have, this is the federal government that we are talking about. I've heard some anecdotal stories about the IRS taking a lot longer to process refunds in 2009, so I would take the information with a grain of salt.

Updated table: When Will I Get My 2011 Tax Refund?
See also: Has Anyone Received Their Tax Refund?

PFS