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Internal Revenue Service News Updates

Refunds

What You Need to Know

  • Expecting a refund? Some refunds must be held until February 15.
     

    • According to a new tax law change, the IRS cannot issue refunds before February 15 for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

    • This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits.  

  • The IRS will begin to release EITC/ACTC refunds starting February 15. However, the IRS cautions taxpayers that these refunds likely won’t arrive in bank accounts or on debit cards until the week of February 27. 

Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

What You Need to Know

  • Processing delays are likely for filers with expired Individual Tax Identification Numbers.

  • There are two reasons an ITIN would expire December 31, 2016:
     

    • If you have not used your ITIN on a U.S. tax return at least once for tax years 2013, 2014 or 2015 or  

    • If your ITIN has the middle digits 78 or 79 (9NN-78-NNNN or 9NN-79-NNNN)

Protecting Taxpayers

What You Need to Know

  • To better protect taxpayers, the IRS recently upgraded its identity verification process for certain online self-help tools. The purpose is to prevent taxpayer impersonations and account takeovers by identity thieves.

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