President Obama signed into law on Friday, December 17, 2010, an extension to extend the tax cuts that was passed while George Bush Jr. was President.

The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, that was preparing systems to calculate the higher tax rates that were to go into effect on January 1, 2011, must now change their systems to continue the tax cuts. Over 50 million taxpayers will have to wait to file their tax returns, to around mid- February, to allow the IRS to reprogram its processing systems for tax returns.

Who Will Be Affected?

The tax laws extended the 2011 payroll holiday tax, education credits, and estate tax. You will expect a delay in your tax refund if:

• Amendment Illinois Refund State Tax

• California Refund State Status Tax

  Waiting on a state tax refund? Learn how to check CA, IL, and NY income tax return refund status online. Check federal taxes with IRS Where's My Refund? available online.

• Illinois State Tax Refund Status

• Average Tax Refund

  October 6, 2010. Summary of Latest Federal Individual Income Tax Data. by Gerald Prante and Mark Robyn. Fiscal Fact No. 249. Summary of Federal Individual Income Tax Data

• Income Tax Refunds