This is why you'd better choose to file your tax return electronically if you are entitled to a tax refund: you can get your money much sooner.

Are you expecting a tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service this year? If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date the IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in about half that time — even faster when you choose direct deposit.

You can check on the status of your refund seven days after you e-filed your return or four to six weeks after mailing your return. There are several ways to check the status of your refund. To use these applications, you will your Social Security, your filing status and the amount of the refund.

• Where's My Refund: The fastest, easiest way to find out about your current year refund is access IRS.gov and click on the “Where’s My Refund� link available from the home page

• Refund Hotline: Call the IRS Refund Hotline at 1-800-829–1954

• TeleTax: Call IRS TeleTax System at 1-800-829-4477. TeleTax’s refund information is updated each weekend -- if you do not get a date for your refund, wait until the next week before calling back

In some circumstances, you may not receive your refund as quickly as you expected. Refund delays can be caused by a variety of reasons. For example, a name and Social Security number listed on the tax return may not match the IRS records. You may have failed to sign the return or to include a necessary attachment, such as Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Or you may have made math errors that require extra time for the IRS to correct.