Illinois tax refunds not available until March 1st, 2016

The Illinois Department of Revenue says 2016 Illinois Tax Refunds will not be available until March 1st, 2016. The Illinois Register reports the department says the 2016 tax delay is because of efforts to better defend against fraud on 2016 Illinois Tax Refunds. The Illinois Department of Revenue says it is in no way related to budget woes in the Illinois government.

State Revenue Director Connie Beard says in a statement the 2016 Illinois tax delay of roughly a month will let the Illinois Department of Revenue “better detect attempts at identity theft and ensure taxpayer refunds do not fall needlessly into hands of criminals.” The department narrative is that those who file Illinois tax returns before March 1st. 2016 will receive their Illinois Tax Refunds two to three weeks after March 1st, 2016. The department will issue refunds two to three weeks after returns are submitted for those who file after March 1, 2016.

This would mean that Illinois Tax Refunds will not be direct deposited or mailed check sent until March 15th – March 20th, 2016 for those who filed on or before March 1st, 2016.