Where’s My Refund?
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How to Check Your IRS Tax Refund Status
There are several options available for taxpayers who want to check the status of their federal tax refund and they are explained in this article.
Tax Refunds – What to Expect
The IRS issues over 90% of tax refunds within 21 days after a tax return is received. That means you will likely get your federal refund in less than 3 weeks of filing your 1040 return.
Note that this is not a guarantee, and there are many instances where it can take longer for the IRS to process your tax return and issue your refund. If you want your tax return to be processed as quickly as possible, you should use e-file and make sure there are no mistakes on your form(s). If you want your tax refund to be issued as quickly as possible, you should also choose the “Direct Deposit” option as your refund method.
Check Your Tax Refund Status Online
The IRS provides an online tool that taxpayers can use to track the status of their federal refunds. In order to use the My Refund tool, you will need to have the following information on hand:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Filing status
- Exact refund amount
You can check the status of your refund within 24 hours after you e-file your return, or within 4 weeks after you mailed your return if you filed by paper. The IRS updates their system daily, usually overnight, so you can check the Where’s My Refund tool once a day for updates if you want.
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Mobile Smartphone Devices – Where’s My Refund App
You can also check your refund status using your mobile device. IRS2Go is the official smartphone app of the IRS and can be used to track your tax refund, make a tax payment, and get free tax preparation help.
IRS2Go is available in English and Spanish. It can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon.
RELATED: Frequently Asked Questions About the IRS2Go App
Call the IRS to Ask About Your Tax Refund
Is your refund overdue? Before you rush to call the IRS, consider how long it’s been since you filed your tax return.
If it’s been more than 21 days since you e-filed your tax return, you may want to call the IRS to check on the progress of your refund. If you filed a paper return, you should wait until at least 6 weeks before you call the IRS regarding your refund.
The “Where’s My Refund” tool will tell you how to contact the IRS. You can also use this list of IRS contact numbers: Contact the IRS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Things That Can Delay Your Tax Refund
Tips for Filing a Late Tax Return
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