You can check the status of your federal tax refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool available on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app. This tool is updated once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so you only need to check once a day
. When can you check your refund status?
- If you e-filed your current-year return, you can check your refund status about 24 hours after filing.
- For prior-year e-filed returns, it takes about 3 to 4 days.
- For paper-filed returns, it can take about 4 weeks before the status is available online
Typical refund timing:
- Most refunds are issued within 21 days after the IRS accepts your e-filed return.
- Paper returns can take longer, sometimes up to 3 months depending on the state and IRS processing times
Refund status messages you may see:
- Return Received: IRS has your return and is processing it.
- Refund Approved: IRS approved your refund and is preparing to send it.
- Refund Sent: Refund has been sent to your bank or mailed to you. It may take 3-5 days to appear in your bank account or several weeks for mailed checks
Additional notes:
- The IRS updates refund status once daily, so checking multiple times a day is unnecessary
- If you filed by mail, expect longer processing times before you see updates.
- If your refund is delayed, the IRS will contact you by mail if they need more information
For state tax refunds, you should check the specific state's tax department website, as processing times and tools vary by state
. In summary, you can check your refund status online starting 24 hours after e-filing, with updates once daily, and most refunds arrive within about three weeks for e-filed returns. Paper returns and state refunds may take longer.
