How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund
Give the IRS time to receive and process your return., Have the necessary information ready., Use the "Where's My Refund?", Customize your search if necessary.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Give the IRS time to receive and process your return.
It takes time for the IRS to process your taxes.
Give them adequate time before checking on the status of your refund.
If you e-filed your taxes, you should be able to get a refund status within 72 hours.If you mail your taxes, you will have to wait 3 or 4 weeks after mailing in your taxes. -
Step 2: Have the necessary information ready.
When you go on the IRS website to get your tax return, the system will ask you for a variety of information.
Have a copy of your federal tax return on hand so you can enter the information easily.
The system will ask for the following:
Your Social Security Number, or your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) The exact whole dollar refund amount shown on your tax return, tool.
When you go on irs.gov, there will be an icon that says "Where's my Refund?" When you click on this tool it will ask for the above information and give you one of the following responses:
An acknowledgement that your return is processing, meaning you'll have to wait a big longer to get any further information.The mailing or direct deposit date when your refund is scheduled to arrive.A notice that your address was incorrect so your refund could not be delivered.
You may be able to correct this issue by updating your address through the Where's My Refund? tool or you can call the IRS and get it straightened out., The "Where's My Refund" tool may be limited for some.
If you need to customize your search, there are options.
Visually impaired individuals can access the site via a speech screen reader or Braille display.If it's more than 28 days since the IRS mailing date, there are options within the "Where's My Refund?" tool that allow you to track your refund and see where and why its delivery is delayed. -
Step 3: Use the "Where's My Refund?"
-
Step 4: Customize your search if necessary.
Detailed Guide
It takes time for the IRS to process your taxes.
Give them adequate time before checking on the status of your refund.
If you e-filed your taxes, you should be able to get a refund status within 72 hours.If you mail your taxes, you will have to wait 3 or 4 weeks after mailing in your taxes.
When you go on the IRS website to get your tax return, the system will ask you for a variety of information.
Have a copy of your federal tax return on hand so you can enter the information easily.
The system will ask for the following:
Your Social Security Number, or your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) The exact whole dollar refund amount shown on your tax return, tool.
When you go on irs.gov, there will be an icon that says "Where's my Refund?" When you click on this tool it will ask for the above information and give you one of the following responses:
An acknowledgement that your return is processing, meaning you'll have to wait a big longer to get any further information.The mailing or direct deposit date when your refund is scheduled to arrive.A notice that your address was incorrect so your refund could not be delivered.
You may be able to correct this issue by updating your address through the Where's My Refund? tool or you can call the IRS and get it straightened out., The "Where's My Refund" tool may be limited for some.
If you need to customize your search, there are options.
Visually impaired individuals can access the site via a speech screen reader or Braille display.If it's more than 28 days since the IRS mailing date, there are options within the "Where's My Refund?" tool that allow you to track your refund and see where and why its delivery is delayed.
About the Author
Andrew Fisher
Creates helpful guides on crafts to inspire and educate readers.
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