Refunds

For taxpayers who are due a refund:

• Review the 2012 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart in Publication 4012 (back cover) and provide the date they can expect to receive the refund. The cycle chart will provide the tax preparer with dates for direct deposit and paper checks.
• Make sure taxpayers understand this is not a guaranteed date; delays sometimes occur.
• Advise taxpayers of the split refund and saving bond options.

Make sure the taxpayers understand that they should never write checks against the assumption they will receive the refund by a certain date.