No more anxiously checking the mailbox to see if your tax refund has arrived (or your bank account balance if you arrange for it to be directly deposited). Now you can keep track of what's coming back with the swipe of a finger.
IRS2Go, a free Internal Revenue Service app available for smart phones and the iPad lets electronic filers check their refund status within 24 hours after the IRS receives their return. You do this by entering your Social Security number (all but the last four digits will be masked), filing status and the refund amount you are expecting in whole numbers.
I used this app to help an elderly family member who e-filed on March 26 and was wondering when to expect the check. A spinning wheel appeared on the screen for about three seconds before IRS2Go indicated that that it had been mailed on April 11. That's nearly instant gratification from a government agency more commonly known for aggravation.
Those who file paper returns can't get the information nearly as quickly. They will need to wait about four weeks to check their refund status because it takes longer to process a paper return.
iDevice users can download IRS2Go from the Apple Store. If you have an Android device, you can download it through Google Play. It's also possible to check your status here on the IRS website by entering the same information.
In the countdown to April 15, don't overlook another key tax document that’s due the same day: Form 709, covering taxable (or potentially taxable) gifts made during the previous year. "See Gift Tax Returns: What You Need To Know."
