Each year, the tax filing deadline on April 15 grips the taxpayers across the nation with stress of filing taxes. Over the past few years, increasing number of people have been filing tax returns online and this has helped in quick disbursal of tax refunds. However, taxpayers must be well aware of the tax frauds and avoid paying high fee to some tax preparers.

Some useful tips have been offered by IRS to the taxpayers in order to avoid any kind of scam while filing their returns or in getting a tax refund. The best option to get timely refunds is e-filing of returns and direct deposit for tax refund.

IRS has sent 5071C letter to some taxpayers and asked them to check if they filed a tax return. The letter is sent to few taxpayers in case their return contains some inconsistencies compared to their last filed tax returns.

The guidelines published by IRS last month suggested that they should check the fee of tax preparers in advance in order to avoid higher charges. Also, taxpayers should give their own account information for tax refunds and not of the tax preparer.

A smartphone app IRSGO has also been offered by IRS, which is meant to offer free tax return preparation guidelines. The app also offers a quick check on the tax refund status. Refund status records are updates once every 24 hours by IRS.

The tax status can be checked online within 24 hours for taxpayers e-filing their return. The IRS usually issues tax refund within 21 days in case the return is accepted and account information is correct. In case of paper-based returns, the refund status can be checked online within four weeks.