01/31/2026
🧾 Tax Season: Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will I receive my refund?
The timing is entirely up to the IRS. Once we file your return, the best way to track your money is by using the Where’s My Refund? tool on the IRS.gov website. You’ll need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount.
2. How much of a refund can you get me?
There isn't a "one size fits all" number. Your total refund is calculated based on three main factors:
Total Federal Tax Withheld: How much you paid into the system during the year.
Credits: Items like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit.
Deductions: Expenses that lower your taxable income.
3. Why is my deposit smaller than the amount on my tax return?
If you chose to have your fees deducted from your refund, your deposit will be the "net" amount. This usually includes:
Tax Preparation Fees: Paid to the preparer.
Banking Fees: Charged by the bank for processing the refund.
Refund Advances: If you took out a loan against your refund earlier, that amount is paid back first.
4. My IRS "Direct Deposit Date" passed, but I don't have my money. Why?
The most common reason for a missing refund after a confirmed date is an offset. This happens if you owe money to a government agency (such as back taxes, child support, or student loans), and they collected it before it reached your bank.
Action Step: Call the Treasury Offset Program at 800-304-3107 to check if any portion of your refund was intercepted.
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