How to Get Your Illinois State Tax Refund

If you expect to get money back from the state of Illinois, you'll want to file your tax return as soon as possible. This page will show you how to get your Illinois tax refund.
Tips on Getting Your Tax Refund
1. Compete your federal return first
2. File early
3. Utilize electronic filing
4. Double check your return for accuracy
5. Ask that your refund be direct deposited
Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Please contact your financial adviser before using the information presented here.

Introduction
- If you expect to get a refund from the state of Illinois, you'll want to file your return as early as possible. In addition to any refund you're expecting due to money you paid as estimates or money you had withheld, Illinois also offers some refundable tax credits. One of these is the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which helps lower-income workers.State of Illinois: Welcome to My Refund If eligible for any of the refundable credits, you may receive a tax refund without having paid any money into the system.
Step 1: File Your Taxes
- The first step in getting your refund is to prepare and file your tax return.Yahoo! Finance: Do Taxes Yourself or Hire a Pro? (January 1, 2008) If you're entitled to a refund, and you'd like to get it quickly, make sure that you utilize electronic filing.News Blaze: 7 Tax Tips to Help You Keep More of Your Money... (February 10, 2009) State of Illinois: Welcome to My Refund If you or your preparer files a paper return, it could take up to 12 weeks to get your refund.Illinois Revenue: My Refund
1. The state of Illinois offers an online tax filing service that most taxpayers are eligible for. This is the fastest way to file and get your refund. Illinois e Services: IL-1040 Web File - Eligibility
  1. In order to use the system, you'll need a state-assigned PIN.Illinois e Services: IL-1040 Web File - FAQ
  2. The PIN can be found above your name on the pre-printed Illinois tax forms you received in the mail.Illinois e Services: IL-1040 Web File - FAQ
  3. You can also call 1-800-732-8866 to see if a PIN has been assigned to you.Illinois e Services: IL-1040 Web File - FAQ
  4. If you haven't filed an Illinois tax return within the past two years, your Illinois driver's license or state ID number can be used as your PIN.Illinois e Services: IL-1040 Web File - FAQ
2. If your particular circumstances are complicated—if you run your own business, have income from several states, or own rental properties, for instance—you might benefit from the advice of a professional and should consider having your return professionally prepared by a CPA or a tax attorney.
3. Tax preparation services are usually more inexpensive than a CPA, and can usually complete a return quickly.
4. You can also prepare your taxes using paper and pencil, or use a purchased tax preparation software package. Purchase of a federal return software package usually includes one free state return.Illinois e Services: IL-1040 Web File - FAQ
Step 2: Avoid Errors
- Errors in your return can cause your refund to be delayed. Here are a few common errors to check for:
1. Make sure your social security number is input accurately.
2. Your name needs to be spelled correctly. If you've prepared your return by hand, make sure it's legible.
3. Use the right form for your circumstances.
4. If you file a paper return, you need to sign it; if it's a joint return, both taxpayers need to sign.
5. Math errors can cause your refund to be delayed.
6. Illinois generally requires you to use the same filing status as you used on your federal return.Taxes in Depth: Illinois State Income Taxes
Step 3: Select Direct Deposit
- Although you can request your refund by paper check, you'll receive it faster if you use direct deposit. Taxpayers who e-file in Illinois can get their refund directly deposited into their bank account within a week of filing.State of Illinois: Welcome to My Refund If you'd like to know exactly when your check will be direct deposited, you can review this chart prepared by the Illinois Department of Revenue.Illinois Department of Revenue: e-file 2009 Refund Cycle Chart
1. Direct deposit can be made into either a savings account or a checking account.
2. In order to sign up, you'll need your bank's nine-digit routing number as well as your bank account number.
Step 4: Check on the Status of Your Refund
- After you've filed, you may want to check on the status of your refund.
1. Illinois has both a web portal and a taxpayer assistance number (1-800-732-8866) that you can use to verify that your refund is being processed.Illinois e Services: Income Tax Refund Status Inquiry
2. To request a replacement check in the event that your refund is not received or your check is lost, call the state comptroller's office at 1-800-877-8078.Illinois Revenue: My Refund
Conclusion
- Although getting a refund is always pleasant, it means that you've given the government an interest-free loan. If you'd prefer to keep that cash in your own pocket during the year, you can reduce your estimates and/or withholdings to try to get closer to the actual amount of your tax liability. Your tax preparer should help with the calculation, since if you reduce your payments too far below your actual liability you'll risk owing interest and penalties when you file your return.