Where’s My Refund

Telephone Contact Information for the IRS Refund Hotline

It can be frustrating to file your annual income tax return and then wait impatiently while wondering about your Federal tax refund status. Luckily, the IRS has made it fairly simple to check your Federal refund status by telephone.

While many taxpayers prefer to use online methods to check their Federal tax refund status (such as the IRS’ “Where’s My Refund?” online tool), it some cases it may be easier for you to simply call. Perhaps you need assistance or just want to hear a person’s voice on the other end of the line. Whatever the reason, you won’t be left out in the cold. Calling the IRS tax refund hotline phone number can be just as easy as checking your refund status online.

How to Call the IRS for Your Tax Refund Status

Before you even think about calling the IRS, there are several things you need. The easiest thing to do is have your income tax return in front of you. This can help you get your Federal tax refund status without any delays.

You should have your tax return in front of you because there is some information on it that you’ll need to provide. Specifically, you need three pieces of information. Mark these items on your tax return or write them down before you call for your refund status:

• Your Social Security Number (SSN), or other Taxpayer ID Number (TIN)
• Your filing status
• The exact amount you are owed by the IRS (in the form of a tax refund)

Note that you need the EXACT whole dollar amount of your tax refund. If you don’t have this along with the other personal information, you cannot check your Federal tax refund status.

RELATED: When Will I Get My Federal Tax Refund?

Now, simply call the IRS tax refund hotline.

The toll-free phone number to check your Federal refund status is 1-800-829-1954. Automatic service is available every day of the week, 24 hours per day, and you can check on your refund in either English or Spanish. Or you can call 1-800-829-4477 to reach the IRS TeleTax System, which provides answers covering over 100 tax topics. When checking the status of your tax refund, you will be prompted to provide the information you have gathered (see above) and you’ll be able to learn what your Federal tax refund status is.

For live telephone assistance, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 between the hours of 7AM and 7PM local time, Monday thru Friday. This phone number is for individual taxpayers who have questions about their Federal taxes.

When to Call the IRS

Before you call, consider how long it has been since you filed. You may not have given the IRS enough time to process your return.

If you e-filed your tax return, you should give the IRS at least 72 hours before calling to check your Federal refund status. If you sent in your tax return through the mail instead, you should wait at least 3 (three) weeks before checking your tax refund status. If you call any sooner that that, the IRS may not have received/processed your return and probably won’t have anything to report yet.

RELATED: How Do I Check My State Tax Refund Status?

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