Planet Tax refund timing depends on how you file and how you receive your money

Planet Tax is a tax preparation service that lets you file your federal and state returns online. The time it takes to receive your refund after you file with Planet Tax depends on two separate things: how long the IRS takes to process your return, and how long it takes your bank to deposit the money once the IRS approves it.

If you file electronically and choose direct deposit to your bank account, the IRS typically processes your return within 21 days. In practice, many people see their refund deposited within 5 to 10 business days. If you request a paper check instead, add another 7 to 10 business days for mailing and delivery after the IRS approves your return.

Planet Tax itself does not hold up your refund. The company transmits your return to the IRS the same day you file (if you file before the daily cutoff time, usually in the evening). After that, the timeline is controlled by the IRS and your bank, not by Planet Tax.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS typically processes electronically filed returns within 21 days, though many refunds arrive in 5 to 10 business days.
  • Direct deposit to your bank account is faster than a mailed check, which adds 7 to 10 business days after IRS approval.
  • Planet Tax sends your return to the IRS when ready when you file, so delays come from the IRS or your bank, not from the tax software.
  • If you file close to the tax important date in April, expect slower processing because the IRS receives millions of returns at once.
  • You can track your refund status through the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates every 24 hours.

What happens between filing with Planet Tax and receiving your refund

When you complete your return in Planet Tax and click submit, the software validates your information, then sends your return electronically to the IRS. This transmission happens the same day you file, as long as you submit before the daily cutoff (usually around 11 p.m. Eastern time). Planet Tax does not review your return or make you wait — the IRS receives it when ready.

The IRS then processes your return. During this time, the agency checks that your information matches what employers and banks reported to them, verifies your identity, and calculates whether you owe money or should receive a refund. This is where the 21-day timeline comes from — it is the IRS's standard processing window.

Once the IRS approves your return and issues your refund, the money goes to your bank (if you chose direct deposit) or the U.S. Postal Service (if you chose a check). Your bank then deposits the money into your account, which usually takes 1 to 3 business days after the IRS sends it.

Direct deposit versus paper check: which arrives faster

Direct deposit is significantly faster. When you choose direct deposit, you provide your bank account number and routing number to Planet Tax. The IRS sends your refund electronically to your bank, and the money appears in your account within 1 to 3 business days of the IRS approval. Total time from filing to money in hand is usually 5 to 10 business days.

A paper check takes longer. After the IRS approves your return, it prints a check and mails it to the address you provided. Postal delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days, depending on distance and mail volume. Total time from filing to cashing the check is usually 3 to 4 weeks.

If you do not have a bank account, a paper check is your only option through Planet Tax. However, some tax preparation services offer a refund advance or a temporary account to speed up the process — check Planet Tax's current offerings if you need money faster.

Why some refunds take longer than 21 days

The IRS's 21-day timeline is a standard, not a may provide. Several things can slow down your refund. If you file near the April tax important date, the IRS receives millions of returns in a short window and processing takes longer — sometimes 4 to 6 weeks or more during peak season.

The IRS may also delay your refund if your return contains errors or if information on your return does not match what employers or banks reported. For example, if your W-2 shows different income than what you entered, the IRS will hold your return while it investigates. You will receive a letter explaining what information does not match, and you may need to correct it or provide documentation.

Identity theft checks can also cause delays. If the IRS suspects fraud or if your return matches patterns of identity theft, it will hold your refund while it verifies your identity. This can add weeks to the process. The IRS will contact you by mail if this happens.

How to check on your refund status

Do not rely on Planet Tax to tell you where your refund is. Instead, use the IRS's official tool, "Where's My Refund?" on the IRS website (irs.gov). This tool shows the actual status of your return as the IRS processes it.

To use it, you will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount. The tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight. If your return was just filed, the tool may not show it for 24 hours.

Planet Tax may also send you email updates about your refund status, but these are based on information from the IRS, not from Planet Tax's own tracking. The IRS tool is always the most current source.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If your refund has not arrived within 21 days of filing, check "Where's My Refund?" first. If the tool shows your return is still being processed, wait a few more days — processing times vary, especially during tax season.

If the tool shows your refund was approved and sent to your bank more than 3 business days ago, contact your bank. The money may be in a pending status, or there may be an issue with the account number you provided. Your bank can tell you whether the deposit arrived and when it will be available.

If "Where's My Refund?" shows an error or a delay message, the IRS may be holding your return for review. The tool will usually tell you why. If you need to speak with someone, the IRS has a phone line (the number is on irs.gov), though wait times are long during tax season.

Filing early versus filing close to the important date

Filing early with Planet Tax does not speed up your refund much, but it does avoid the worst delays. If you file in February or early March, the IRS processes your return with less competition and you may see your refund in 5 to 10 business days. If you file in mid-April, right before the important date, processing times stretch to 4 to 6 weeks because the IRS is overwhelmed.

The only real advantage to filing early is peace of mind and avoiding the rush. Your refund will not arrive significantly faster if you file in January versus March — the IRS still takes roughly the same time to process. But if you file in April, you will definitely wait longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Planet Tax speed up my refund?

No. Planet Tax sends your return to the IRS when ready when you file, and the company has no control over how fast the IRS processes it. The speed of your refund depends entirely on the IRS and your bank, not on the tax software you use.

Does it matter what time of day I file with Planet Tax?

Only if you file after the daily cutoff time, usually around 11 p.m. Eastern time. If you file before the cutoff, your return goes to the IRS the same day. If you file after, it goes the next day. This one-day difference rarely matters in the overall timeline.

What if I made a mistake on my Planet Tax return after I filed?

If you catch an error before the IRS processes your return, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. If the IRS already processed your return and issued a refund, you can still file an amended return if you need to claim a larger refund or correct information. An amended return takes longer to process than an original return.

Will my refund arrive faster if I pay Planet Tax for expedited service?

Planet Tax may offer paid services like refund advances or rapid refund loans, but these are not the same as a faster refund from the IRS. A refund advance is a loan you repay from your refund, and it costs money. The actual IRS refund timeline does not change. Read the terms carefully before paying for any service.

What if my bank account information was wrong on my Planet Tax return?

If you provided an incorrect account number, the IRS will attempt to deposit your refund and the money will be rejected by your bank. The IRS will then mail you a paper check instead, which adds 7 to 10 business days. Contact the IRS as soon as you realize the error so they can correct it before processing.