According to the IRS, this year's average tax refund is $3,271, reflecting a 5.2% increase from 2024. Waiting for this money can be stressful, especially if you’re relying on it to cover urgent expenses.

This guide from Carolina Title Loans, Inc. explains what to do if your tax return is delayed. We will also discuss how to obtain quick cash while waiting for a refund through our title loans in SC.

How To Check The Status Of Your Tax Refund

As per the IRS's advice, their Where's My Refund? tool is the fastest and easiest way to check your refund status. If you filed electronically, you will be able to see your refund status within 24 to 48 hours. If you filed by mail, you will be able to check it within four weeks. Additionally, it is updated daily for accurate status reflection.

Using the tool is easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Go to the IRS's website or the mobile IRS2Go app to access the tool.
2. Enter the required information (i.e., your Social Security number, exact tax return amount, and filing status).
3. Look at your return status. The tool will show the date you can expect to receive the refund, provided it's already been processed and approved.
4. Your tax refund will have one of three statuses: sent, approved, or received.

As an individual taxpayer, you can call the IRS to check the status of your tax return. You should do this if it has been more than 21 days since you electronically filed your return, six weeks since you mailed your tax return, or if the IRS’s online tax refund tool advises you to call directly.

How To Speed Up Your Tax Refund

Unfortunately, these tips and tricks won't be effective if you’ve already filed your tax return — it's now up to the IRS to contact you if they need any additional information. However, if you haven’t completed it yet, you have options to expedite the process.

Here are some ways to avoid delays with your tax refund:

• Ditch paper — The quickest refunds happen when you file electronic. Paper returns involve IRS workers manually inputting information, causing significant process delays.
• Select direct deposit — Allowing the IRS to deposit your refund directly into your bank account considerably accelerates the process. 
• Double-check before submitting — Since incomplete, missing, or incorrect information can cause long delays, it's best to double-check the information you provided before submitting or sending the paperwork. The IRS suggests gathering all relevant tax documents ahead of time and double-checking the information after typing it in.

How To Avoid Mistakes When Filing Your Tax Return

The number one mistake that delays tax returns is incorrect or missing information. You may have to file an amended tax return to correct the errors. This can delay your refund even further, making it harder for you to use it to address upcoming costs.

Here are some of the errors you should avoid when filing your tax return:

• Accurately mark your status as single, married filing separately, married filing jointly, head of household, or widow/widower.
• Type in the right Social Security number.
• Double-check that all money figures are typed in accurately.
• Include unemployment compensation. This will prevent an audit.
• Report all your taxable income so you aren't hit with penalties and interest.
• Report any digital asset trades by answering the virtual currency section accurately. This includes stating whether you've sold, received, disposed of, or exchanged any cryptocurrency in the last year. You shouldn't leave this question empty, as this results in an error.
• Your return will be deemed incomplete if you don't sign and date it. Remember these crucial elements to avoid lengthy manual review processes.

Steps To Take If Your Tax Refund Goes Missing

In some cases, the IRS may have released your funds, but you still haven’t received them. If your tax return goes missing, you may be the victim of identity theft. If you chose a mailed refund, there’s a chance it was lost or stolen.

The IRS can start a trace to see where your tax refund is if you still haven’t received it five days after the 21-day direct deposit grace period or within six weeks after filing for a mailed return. You can call the IRS Refund Hotline to check the status of your return. They can trace it to see if it has been stolen and walk you through options to address the issue.

Title Loans In South Carolina: How to Get Fast Cash While Waiting For A Refund

If you were counting on your South Carolina tax refund to pay for a financial emergency, it’s understandable to feel stressed. However, you'll be happy to know that you can get title loans to fund emergencies at Carolina Title Loans Inc.

We offer title loans to South Carolina residents like you who are dealing with a one-off financial emergency, such as home repairs, medical bills, veterinary fees, or similar situations. You can borrow up to $15,000 if you have fully paid off your car, truck, or van and own the vehicle outright.

Unlike typical loans, you don't need to worry about abiding by a long list of requirements. Instead, you only need these three required items to qualify:

• Identification — We accept all forms of identification that display your name, date of birth, and photograph (e.g., driver's license, passport, student ID card, etc.). Keep in mind that you need to be at least 18 years of age to acquire a title loan. 
• Lien-free title — We need a lien-free title because this proves that you own your vehicle outright without any outstanding liens or judgments. We place a lien on your title to secure the loan, which we cannot do if there is already a lien in place. The name on your lien-free title must match the name on your identification. If they don't match, you will need to visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles office to request a transfer before starting the title loan process.
• Vehicle — Only fully paid-off cars, trucks, or vans are eligible for title loans in South Carolina. We do not accept other modes of transport like motorcycles, buses, tractors, ATVs, RVs, or boats. Your vehicle is used to establish how much you can borrow, so the more it is worth, the more you can qualify for. We will inspect it at the nearest South Carolina store to you.

If you have the items mentioned above, you can start the process today. You can begin online by filling out our contact form. “After a short phone call with a loan representative, you’ll need to visit a South Carolina store to complete your application and receive your funds. Get emergency cash—borrow up to $15,000 using your paid-off vehicle.

Secure A Title Loan In South Carolina – Borrow Up To $15,000 Today

Still waiting on your refund? Don’t let unexpected expenses pile up. Carolina Title Loans, Inc. can help with our auto title loans. Get approved the same day you apply, regardless of your credit situation. Ready to get started? Fill out our online inquiry form, and we will call you soon. Apply online and get approved in person for up to $15,000 in less than 30 minutes!

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.