If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, your refund can take as little as 8 days or as long as 15 days to get to your account, depending on exactly when you come into the cycle. The IRS publishes a refund cycle chart that tells you more about exactly when to expect your refund. If you file electronically and choose to have your refund mailed to you, you will usually get it in 3 to 4 weeks. If you file a paper return a refund normally takes 6 to 8 weeks. 

     Alabama income tax refunds are less predictable and there is no published schedule.

      If you can't pay your federal income tax at the time you file your return, you can request the IRS let you pay in monthly installments. This is done by completing an online payment application.  or including a form 9465 with your return when it is filed or sending it to the IRS when payment is due. The IRS charges an administrative fee to set up the arrangement and  interest at the prevailing rate until  the balance is paid. You can select the day of the month you want your payment to be due and the amount you want that payment to be, however, you should try to set the monthly payment at an amount that will fully pay your taxes within one year if possible. You cannot request an installment arrangement if you are already in one for prior year taxes and have not yet paid it off.  

     The Alabama Department of Revenue has no formal provision for paying prior year taxes in monthly installments.

Due to the economy, Alabama (as have other states) has delayed a lot of refunds. Please see article published July 2, 2009, in the Tuscaloosa News.  Please be aware that unless the refund is paid by July 15, 2009, the state will be required to pay interest until the refund is paid.