Direct Deposit is the fastest, safest way to receive your tax refund. An e-filed tax return means a fast refund. Taxpayers who combine e-file and Direct Deposit can get their refunds in as few as 10 days.
IRS Tax TIp 2011-19 lists four reasons many taxpayers choose Direct Deposit:
- Security
Thousands of paper checks are returned to the IRS by the U.S. Post Office every year as undeliverable mail. Direct Deposit eliminates the possibility of your refund check being lost, stolen or returned to the IRS as undeliverable.
- Convenience
The money goes directly into your bank account. You won't have to make a special trip to the bank to deposit the money yourself.
- Ease
When you're preparing your return; simply follow the instructions on your return. Make sure you enter the correct bank account and bank routing numbers on your tax form and you'll receive your refund quicker than ever.
- Options
You can deposit your refund into multiple accounts. With the split refund option, taxpayers can divide their refunds among as many as three checking or savings accounts and up to three different U.S. financial institutions. Use IRS Form 8888, Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bond Purchases), to divide your refund. A word of caution: Some financial institutions do not allow a joint refund to be deposited into an individual account. Check with your bank or other financial institution to make sure your Direct Deposit will be accepted.
For more information about direct deposit of your tax refund and the split refund option, check the instructions for your tax form. Helpful tips are also available in IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax. To get a copy of Publication 17 or Form 8888, visit the IRS Forms and Publications section at http://www.irs.gov or call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Posted by Joshua Hock, Associate Editor, Wealth Strategies Journal
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