2002 Tax Help Archives  

Amended Returns & Form 1040X

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2002 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Can you have an amended return deposited into a bank account?

No, if you are due a refund from your amended return, you will receive a paper check.

References:

1.12 IRS Procedures: Refund Inquiries
How long does it take to get a refund back by direct deposit?

In general, a refund check should be issued within 6 to 8 weeks of filing a paper return. If you have elected on your paper return to receive a direct deposit, the refund should take 1week less time to be issued.

With e-file, your refund will be issued in half the time as when filing on paper (even faster if you choose direct deposit). Most refunds are issued within weeks. In many cases, you can receive your refund in about 14 days, particularly if you choose direct deposit.

If you do not get your refund within 4 weeks after filing your return, you can call TeleTax at 1-800-829-4477 24 hours a day to check on your refund status. In some cases, TeleTax may not have refund information until 6 weeks after you file.

Can you direct deposit your refund into someone else's bank account if you do not have a bank account?

No. The account has to be in your name.

Will I be notified when my direct deposit is made or will I have to check with my bank to find out?

You will need to contact your bank to determine when the deposit was made. The deposit will be recorded in your bank statements. However, if you use an automated system to check on your bank account balance, you will know that your refund has been deposited when your balance has increased by the amount of your expected refund.

My ex-spouse owes me child support. How can I find out if he has filed and if I will receive his federal refund this year?

An individual's tax return is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. Therefore, the IRS is restricted from releasing information concerning your ex-spouse's account. However, if your state office of child support enforcement has notified the Treasury of a past-due child support obligation, the refund will be offset to pay the debt.

References:

If our tax refund is being taken for back child support my husband owes, how can I file to get back or keep my portion of the refund?

When a joint return is filed and only one spouse owes past-due child support, the other spouse can be considered an injured spouse and may request his or her share of the joint refund. If this situation applies to you, file Form 8379 (PDF), Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation, to recover your share of the joint refund.

You are considered an injured spouse if you:

  • file a joint tax return,
  • have received income (such as wages, interest, etc.)
  • have made tax payments (such as withholding)
  • report the income and tax payments on the joint return, and
  • have a refund due, all or part of which was, or is expected to be, applied against your spouse's past-due amount.

Refer also to our Frequently Asked Question section on Injured Spouse in the IRS Procedures section.

References:

  • Form 8379 (PDF), Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation
  • Tax Topic 203, Failure to Pay Child Support and Other Federal Obligations

What is the legal procedure I need to follow in order to obtain my ex-spouse's tax refund or refunds due to unpaid child support?

You must file a claim with your local office of child support enforcement. For more information, follow the state link at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families Office of Child Support Enforcement.

References:

The Child Support Enforcement Agency said I would get my ex-spouse's federal income tax refund if he has one. He owes me child support. I still have had no word about any refund. How can I find out if he filed at all this year?

An individual's tax return is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. Therefore, the IRS is restricted from releasing information concerning your ex-spouse's account. However, if your state office of child support enforcement has notified the Treasury of a past-due child support obligation, the refund will be offset to pay the debt.

References:

If I file jointly and my husband owes back child support, will my refund be applied towards his obligation until his debt with children services is paid?

If you are due a refund but have not paid certain amounts you owe, such as child support, all or part of your refund may be used to pay all or part of the past-due amount. This applies to a joint return. When a joint return is filed and only one spouse owes past-due child and spousal support or a federal debt, the other spouse can be considered an injured spouse and may request his or her share of the joint refund. If this situation applies to you, file Form 8379 (PDF), Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation, to recover your share of the joint refund. You must have received income such as wages, have made tax payments such as withholding, and report the income and tax payments on the joint return.

References:

  • Form 8379 (PDF), Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation
  • Tax Topic 203, Failure to Pay Child Support and Other Federal Obligations

Tax Topics & FAQs | 2002 Tax Year Archives | Tax Help Archives | Home