Article Highlights

• 24/7 access
• How quickly posted
• Direct deposit
• Information needed to use

If you filed your federal tax return and are due a refund, you can check the status of your refund online. Where’s My Refund? is an interactive tool on the IRS web site. Whether you split your refund among several accounts, opted for direct deposit into one account, or asked the IRS to mail you a check, Where’s My Refund? will give you online access to your refund information nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you e-file, you can get refund information 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your return. Nine out of 10 taxpayers typically receive refunds in less than 21 days when they use e-file with direct deposit. If you file a paper return, refund information will be available starting four weeks after mailing your return. When checking the status of your refund, have a copy of your federal tax return handy.

To access your personalized refund information, you must enter:

• Your Social Security Number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number);

• Your Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing

• Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)); and

• The exact refund amount shown on your tax return.

Once your personal information has been entered, one of several personalized responses may come up, including the following:

• Acknowledgement that your return was received and is in processing.

• The mailing date or direct deposit date of your refund.

• Notice that the IRS could not deliver your refund due to an incorrect address. You can update your address online using the Where’s My Refund? feature.

Where’s My Refund? also includes links to customized information based on your specific situation. The links guide you through the steps to resolve any issues affecting your refund. For example, if you do not get the refund within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date shown on Where’s My Refund?, you can start a refund trace online.

Where’s My Refund? is also accessible to visually impaired taxpayers who use the Job Access with Speech screen reader used with a Braille display and is compatible with different JAWS modes.

IRS2Go is the IRS’ first smartphone application that lets taxpayers check on the status of their tax refund. Apple users can download the free IRS2Go application by visiting the Apple App Store. Android users can visit the Google Play Store to download the free IRS2Go app.

Where’s My Refund? provides the most up-to-date information the IRS has. There’s no need to call the IRS unless Where’s My Refund? tells you to do so. Where’s My Refund? is updated every 24 hours – usually overnight – so you only need to check once a day. Please connect with me on TaxConnections if you encounter problems.

Original Post By:  Barry Fowler