So Long, 2013 IRS Refund Schedule, We’re Sad to See You Go

Looking for the 2013 IRS refund schedule?  Well things have changed this year.  The IRS is trying to minimize angry phone calls and to reduce unrealistic expectations when it comes to the refund cycle.  In years past, they would issue Publication 2043, which was a handy refund chart that showed when you would get your IRS refund.  Now, it’s a generic answer: 21 days.

So Long, 2013 IRS Refund Schedule

For 2013, there is no IRS refund schedule.  That’s because they’ve altered the final stage of the refund cycle: a simple 21 days is all the information you get.  Used to be, you’d look up your IRS acceptance date, and the IRS refund schedule would tell you the exact date your refund was supposed to be sent out.  If you were to chart the refund schedule for 2013, here’s what it would look like, just for those out there who are used to the handy refund chart.

It’s a Window, not a Deadline

Turns out lots of taxpayers count on that refund too heavily.  They plan on fulfilling some urgent financial obligation with the refund, and therefore need to know exactly when it arrives.  Not good!  The IRS warns not to rely on the refund for major purchases or overdue bills, things like that.  The refund may not arrive by the time you need it.

Don’t Call the IRS: They’ll Just Say 21 Days

Taxpayers who need the refund so badly were treating the IRS refund date like a deadline, and getting very nasty with IRS customer service reps, whose only job is to report what they see in their refund cycle computer software.

Any number of things can slow down an IRS refund, so the refund chart has always been a guide, not a promise.  But now the IRS has done away completely with the 2013 IRS Refund Schedule.  What do they say now?  Give it 21 days.  Give it more time if you have errors on your tax return, is flagged for further review, or has been affected by identity theft.