Whitney Erickson, a BYU psychology major, has not received her tax refund yet. Because her dad did her taxes, she has no idea when she will receive it. To find out what is going on with her refund, she can go online.

Taxpayers can go to www.irs.gov and click on the link "Where's My Refund?" At this site, one can get personalized refund information by providing tax information from a 2007 federal income tax return.

For Spanish speaking taxpayers, this service is also available. After www.irs.gov is opened, enter the Spanish language area of the Web site by clicking "Español" and then to go to the refund page. Then click "¿Dónde está mi reembolso?"

When Internet access is not available, the IRS TeleTax System at 800-829-4477 or the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954 can help.

"Where's My Refund?" also allows access to visually impaired taxpayers who use the Job Access with Speech screen reader used with a Braille display and is compatible with different JAWS modes.

Taxpayers should be able to check their current refund status seven days after filing electronically. If filed in paper form, check four to six weeks after mailing the return.

Clay Sanford, spokesman for the IRS, recommended e-filing tax returns. "E-filing is much faster and more convenient," he said. Many taxpayers have learned to use this online program and have had better results. "More and more people are finding it's more accurate," he said.

Once refunds are in taxpayers' hands, what will become of them?

"Putting it in the bank and paying my bills. Ha, " Erickson said.

It seems many BYU students feel the same about what to do with their money. Spencer Cornett, an exercise sciences major, plans to use his refund to help pay for school.

Bailee Russell, a sophomore student, she said she would "probably pay rent, insurance and car." If she could do anything else with the money though, she would take her boyfriend on "a really fun date."

Whatever use comes out of tax refunds, the IRS suggests going directly to the official Web site and phone services for refund questions. Scam artists have been sending phony e-mails talking about "Where's My Refund?" These e-mails try to trick taxpayers into releasing personal information that can then be used for identity theft. The genuine IRS Web site is www.irs.gov.

Where's my refund?

To get your refund status you will need:

• Social security number (or taxpayer identification number)
• Filing status (single, married filing joint return, married filing separate return, head of household or qualifying widow or widower)
• Exact refund amount shown on the tax returns

Copyright Brigham Young University 5 May 2008