IRS refunds delayed

If you filed your tax return early this year, you may have to wait a week longer for your refund.

According to an IRS spokesman, the delay was caused by new safeguards installed in IRS computer systems to prevent refund fraud.

The problem is limited to taxpayers who filed their returns before Jan. 26.

"If you filed from the 17th through the 25th those returns are being impacted, not all of them, but 60 to 70 percent of them," Christian Goulas , a manager at Jackson Hewitt, said.

Returns that were accepted on or after that date will not be affected.

Teddy Griffin thought he was ahead of the game when he filed his taxes on Jan. 12. But soon after, Griffin got an email that his refund was one of the ones affected by the delay.

"Oh yeah, it's frustrating because yeah I was relying on it. I mean, I owe some stuff. I need to pay [it] off and I was expecting to pay it by a certain date," Griffin said.

The IRS says the delay is still in line with historical refund delivery times.

The IRS cautions taxpayers it is increasing scrutiny of tax returns for signs of fraud. This means some tax refunds will face additional screening and review before being released, which will add time before the refund is delivered.

Here are some simple ways taxpayers can help ensure they receive their refund quickly:

• E-file remains the best way to ensure an error-free return.
• Taxpayers can help ensure their refund arrives as expected by submitting an error free return. Use the correct social security number or taxpayer identification number, the correct address and the correct bank and routing numbers if electing to use direct deposit.
• You don’t need to wait on the phone to check on the status of your refund. The fastest and best way to get information on your refund is through the “ Where's My Refund? ” tool on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go phone app. Information about refund status is available about three days after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return, or four weeks after mailing a paper return.

The IRS says they've take action against more than 100 people for identity theft in the past week.

The IRS said the delay will be no longer than a week to two weeks and most people who filed early should expect to get their check on February 8.

Also, if you haven't received your W-2's, employers have until Feb. 15 to get it to you before you can file a complaint.

For more information, visit www.irs.gov .