The Internal Revenue Service and the Illinois Department of Revenue have successfully opened for the 2020 tax filing season and have begun accepting and processing tax returns for tax year 2019. The deadline to file a 2019 tax return and pay any tax owed is Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
Both agencies stated that filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund.
The IRS stated that most refunds are sent in less than 21 days; however, some require further review and take longer. Refund information will generally be available within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an electronically filed return on the Where's My Refund? tool on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go phone app.
Illinois taxpayers should receive a direct deposit refund within four weeks, if they electronically file an error free return. The Where’s My Refund? link on the Illinois Department of Revenue website can be used to check the status of an Illinois Individual Income Tax refund.