Although tax experts and the IRS recommend using direct deposit to achieve a faster tax refund this year, many American taxpayers will still receive a paper check in the mail. If you're expecting a refund this tax season, keep an eye on its progress to find out when it'll arrive.The USPS offers a tracking service that will tell you when your tax refund will be delivered to your mailbox. The free USPS service, known as Informed Delivery, provides you alerts for all new mail and sends you photographs of the front of letters so you know exactly what's coming.
The USPS creates a digital image of the front of all letter-size mail as it runs it through its automated sorting equipment. Anyone who signs up for Informed Delivery can take advantage of that information by requesting that USPS tell them when each piece of mail bearing their name is on its way. Please keep in mind that activating your account may take up to three days.
As part of the program, you will receive an email every morning, Monday through Saturday, informing you that your mail has been delivered. You'll also get a grayscale image of the front of the letter. Informed Delivery also offers free Android and iOS apps.
Just keep in mind that joining up means you'll get all of the mail that the post office scans. You have the option to stop using the service at any time.
How to Sign Up for USPS Informed Delivery
There are various limitations to Informed Delivery. Many homes and personal post office box addresses, for example, will work, but not businesses. It also won't work in some cases if the USPS hasn't yet recognized each unit in a residential complex.
Visit the Postal Service's Informed Delivery page to see if Informed Delivery is available in your area.
1. Tap Sign Up for Free.
2. Accept the terms and conditions and tap Continue after entering your mailing address and confirming that it will function with the service.
3. Select a username, password, and security questions on the following screen. Enter your contact information and press the Continue button.
4. You'll need to verify your identity on the next page. Tap Verify identification online if you want a verification code sent to your phone, or Request invitation code by mail if you want the USPS to send you a code. You may also be able to prove your identification in person by visiting a post office.
You can check the status of your tax refund check's arrival and when they're expected to arrive with Informed Delivery. However, the post office does not take a picture of your item. You can use the program to produce an electronic signature so that you can receive packages while away from home.
