The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

Tax season is underway. The IRS has debuted a new online tool to help taxpayers check the status of any refund they may be entitled to.

If you are eligible for a tax refund, filing earlier could mean your rebate will be paid quicker, but it’s possible your return may require additional review and take longer to process. The deadline to file your taxes this year — both federal and in North Carolina — is April 15.

Before you splurge that tax refund, consider a smarter move—saving, investing, or tackling debt. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa spoke with Virginia Credit Union to find out the top ways to make that extra money benefit you.

The IRS began processing tax returns Monday. For filers who submit their returns electronically using direct deposit, refunds are generally issued in less than 21 days. There is a caution from the tax agency, however, that urges “taxpayers not to rely on receiving refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

It's only been a few days since the start of tax season on Monday, Jan. 27, but if you've submitted your tax return early, you may be wondering when your refund will arrive. There's a simple way to find out when your money will come -- you can use the IRS tool that lets you see the status of your tax refund.