Say mailing refund when was supposed to be direct deposits

[Meg1004]

This is exactly my story to a T. I think it’s due to all the stimulus payments. We received the year prior because it said there can’t be more than three direct deposits in a year, and I receive the stimulus payments for my children.

[Rjmartin59]

@Meg1004 My husband and I file separate, he claims two kids I claim one. His direct deposited on 2/8 and we filed on the same day. Others I know too that took the child tax credit monthly payments, theirs is set to direct deposit on 2/23 but yet mine says mailed.

[xmasbaby0]

@Rjmartin59  There were no monthly child tax credit in 2022.  Those happened ONLY in 2021.   As for why your spouse received his refund first.......

You are always going to find someone else whose refund arrived faster, and someone who waited even longer than you.  That is the way it goes. Returns are not processed “first in — first out.”

BUT.......why on earth did you file separate returns if you have children?   Why didn't you file a joint return?   You may be losing out on child-related credits.   By filing separately, you missed the childcare credit, get no earned income credit, and used less income for the child tax credit.

If you were legally married at the end of 2022 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,900 (+$1400 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

[Rjmartin59]

@xmasbaby0  I know the monthly payments ended I was simply replying to the other user when she stated she felt that them mailing a check was due to having multiple deposits into one account.

I get first in, first out as well. But, there’s many that always file before me and I get mine before them. 

Everyone’s situation of how and why they file that way, is not the same. We don’t pay fees to file. I only had to pay this year due to the Solar credit form. We’ve always filed for $0 in the past.

[Meg1004]

Curious when u filed I e filed 2/2

[Rjmartin59]

@Meg1004 1/30

[SForrestLO]

I recommend you check your documents to ensure direct deposit was chosen. If it shows check by mail was selected then no further action is needed. If direct deposit was selected, then you will have to contact the IRS to see why they mailed a checkout. 

How do I contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?

[hypertaxed]

I had the same issue this year (on my 2022 return).  I've used direct deposit every year since using TurboTax, which is many years.  This year I received my IRS refund in a paper check by USPS mail and the amount was incorrect.  I contacted my financial institution and they said that no direct deposits were rejected on their side and that by policy the only reason they would reject a deposit is if the account was closed.  None of the reasons stated on the TurboTax posts or the IRS website for rejecting a direct deposit apply to me.  IRS direct deposit has worked many years in the past.  The IRS just mailed the refund this year instead of direct depositing it and there's no explanation given with the check.  The IRS website provides no way to contact a real person to provide explanation.  All web searches just refer to their FAQ webpage.

[Critter-3]

You can request a direct deposit of the refund but the IRS doesn't have to honor the request or give a reason for the change ... just be happy you got the refund check in the mail and keep going.