Still don't have have your 2023 tax refund? Find out why your return might be delayed

For those of you still waiting for your tax refund, you’re not alone.  

Aside from the initial waiting period for your tax return to be received and your refund to be dispersed, there are a few reasons your money could be delayed on its way into your bank.  

Here’s what we know.  

When can you file taxes during the 2024 tax season?   

This year, tax season officially started on Monday, Jan. 29, when the Internal Revenue Service began accepting and processing 2023 tax returns. 

In Delaware, the Division of Revenue began processing 2023 individual state income tax returns on Jan. 23 and began issuing refunds on Feb. 15, said Melissa Marlin, deputy principal assistant with the Department of Finance.     

When are 2023 taxes due?    

Federal 2023 tax returns were due by Monday, April 15.     

If you were unable to file by the deadline, you can file for an extension by filling out Form 4868 by April 15. This gives you an additional six months, to Tuesday, Oct. 15, to complete your tax return, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.   

Tax returns can still be filed after April 15 without filing for an extension, but you may be subject to a penalty if you owe taxes.     

The filing deadline in Delaware for personal income tax returns is Tuesday, April 30.     

Delaware does not maintain reciprocity agreements with other states, so taxpayers who work in Delaware but are not Delaware residents need to file a Delaware tax return. Delaware residents who work out of state are required to file returns with Delaware in addition to the state where they worked, said Marlin. 

Where is my 2023 tax refund? 

The IRS expects to issue most refunds via direct deposit in less than 21 days, according to the agency, but some returns may require additional review that takes longer to process.    

Issues that can cause your refund to be delayed according to the IRS include:   

• If the taxpayer is claiming certain credits, like the EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).   
• Whether the return is e-filed or sent by mail.   
• If the taxpayer has existing debts to the federal government.    

Electronically filing your tax return and choosing direct deposit is the fastest way to get your refund. For the issuance of paper checks, the IRS estimates a four- to six-week waiting period.    

Remember, the wait for your tax return is based on when the IRS has received your return and entered it, which can be a few days after you submitted it electronically or a few weeks after mailing it in and the IRS has manually entered your information.   

How to file for a tax extension:Taxes were due by April 15. If you can't make the deadline, here's how to get an extension

Why is my 2023 Delaware tax refund delayed? 

The Delaware Division of Revenue advises taxpayers that refund processing times are 10 to 12 weeks, especially for returns requiring manual review. Returns not flagged for potential fraud or manual review are processed in approximately six days on average. 

Receipt of a tax refund, on the federal or state level, does not mean that a tax return is error free. The IRS typically reviews most returns after the filing season, while the Delaware Division of Revenue reviews most returns for errors or anomalies prior to releasing refunds, said Melissa Marlin, deputy principal assistant with the Department of Finance. 

“While individuals may believe their returns are “error free,” it is possible that those same returns contain errors, require missing documentation or have other listed or claimed amounts that require further validation,” said Marlin.  

As with federal tax returns, state tax returns requesting refunds by direct deposit will be awarded faster. If your state tax return was flagged for additional documentation, providing the needed information as soon as possible will improve processing times and get you your refund quicker, said Marlin.  

How to check the status of your 2023 tax return    

Want to keep an eye on your 2023 tax return? You can check the status of your filed return, or find out why it may be delayed, by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website or using the IRS2Go app.   

Delaware also has a state tax refund locator that can help you figure out where your money is.   

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.