Yes, you can file your 2015 tax return now. You should have received the forms you need—your W-2s and 1099s—by the end of January. The tax-filing deadline is April 18, 2016, but it's a good idea to file as soon as possible, especially if you're getting a refund. Not only will you get your money faster, but you're less likely to become a victim of tax identity theft. See Beat the Bad Guys to Your Tax Refund in 2016 for more information.
The IRS generally processes e-filed returns within 21 days, but it can take six to eight weeks to process a mailed paper return after the date it is received. You can check on the status of your refund by using the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool. You'll need to provide your Social Security number, your filing status and the exact amount of the refund shown on your tax return. You can start to use the tool within 24 hours after the IRS receives an e-filed return, or four weeks after the IRS receives a mailed paper return. The tool can show you when the IRS receives your return, when the refund is approved and when the refund is sent. For more information, see the IRS's 2016 Tax Season Refund FAQs.
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