IRS Refund Status
IRS Refund Status for iPhone and Droid Users
The new IRS refund status app released by the IRS for the iPhone and Android has limited functionality, and its only redeeming value is that it replaces the IRS phone number which is needed for you to learn the status of your refund. In other words, it only gives you access to your account, gives you your IRS refund status and also emails you tax content.The name of this app is IRS2Go.
This IRS refund status app replaces a computerized recording that would inform you of your refund status or access to a human if you were able to speak to someone. So don’t have any high expectations of this app having breakthrough technology that might let you scan your W-2 to the IRS in lieu of filing Form 1040EZ or 1040A. If you e-file your return, you can check your IRS refund status within a few days. If you file a paper tax return, you will have to wait three to four weeks to check your IRS refund status.
IRS2Go Summary - Brief Summary of the IRS Refund Status App
This IRS refund status app contains the following options/functionality(if you want to call it functionality) “Get Your Refund Status,” “Get Tax Updates,” “Follow Us” and “Contact Us” options. You can subscribe to filing season tax updates provided by the Internal Revenue Service by entering your e-mail address to automatically get daily tax tips. Tax tips can help you with your tax planning and preparation needs. I suggest that you read this free information as your are preparing your tax return, since the content is helpful. These updates are in plain English not in tax code legal jargon. Tax updates are sent by email, rather than residing in the app or in some type of FAQ format or simple database. They should asked Google about integrating some of their IRS instructions and publications into Google Reader while providing the taxpayer relevant content specific to the taxpayer’s particular tax situation. I am sure Google would love that. Can you imagine how this could help the taxpayers by giving them relevant content, that they might otherwise not have, and how much mileage Google would get if they worked with the IRS. Perhaps their next assignment should be to replace the current IRS email server with Gmail and then integrate Google Reader into this IRS refund status app.
Security Concerns for the IRS Refund Status App
The IRS website says that privacy and security are paramount and there is brief privacy notice in the app. Until we see some security certifications who knows if phone carriers will be able to view your filing status and refund data and how secure is you social security number that you just entered into your app to access your account. ? If your smart phone is lost or stolen, will another person be able to see this tax return information? Using the IRS phone number does offer greater security protection if this risk is a concern to you.
Despite my comments, the IRS refund status app is a huge step for the IRS to automate the refund checking process and will save taxpayers time resulting from calling the IRS phone number. Many online tax preparation services provide this service for free and you can monitor your IRS refund status from their website. If you have a simple return and your adjusted gross income is under $58,000 you may be able to File Free from the IRS website or pay a small fee to use of an online tax preparation service. Whatever you do, e-file early and get that refund working for you and track it using the IRS refund status app for iphone and Android users.
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