How taxpayers can check the status of their federal tax refund
Where is my refund?
Once a taxpayer files their tax return, they want to know when they will receive their refund. The most convenient way to check your tax refund is through the tool Where is my refund? at IRS.gov. Taxpayers can begin checking the status of their refund within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of the taxpayer's e-filed return. The tool also provides a custom refund date after the return is processed and the refund is approved.
How to use the tool?
Taxpayers can access the Where's My Refund? In two ways:
- On IRS.gov
- When downloading the app IRS2Go
To use the tool, taxpayers will need:
- Your Social Security Number or Personal Taxpayer Identification Number
- Your tax filing status
- The exact amount of the refund requested on your tax return
The tool shows progress in three phases:
- Declaration received
- Refund Approval
- refund shipping
When the status changes to approved, this means the IRS prepares to send the refund as a direct deposit to the taxpayer's bank account or directly to the taxpayer by mail, by check, to the address used on their tax return.
IRS Updates Where's My Refund? once a day, usually overnight, so taxpayers don't need to check the status more often.
Taxpayers should wait for their bank or credit union to post the refund to their account or mail it to them. Calling the IRS will not expedite a tax refund. Information available at Where's My Refund? It is the same as the IRS telephone assistants.