You can check the status of your IRS tax refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool available on the IRS website. Here’s how it works and what you need:
- Visit the IRS "Where's My Refund?" page.
- You will need your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Your filing status as shown on your tax return.
- The exact refund amount you are expecting.
You can start checking your refund status about 24 hours after you e-file your current-year tax return, or a few days after e-filing a prior-year return. If you filed a paper return, it may take about 4 weeks before your refund status is available online
. The tool will show your refund status in three stages:
- Return Received: The IRS has received and is processing your return.
- Refund Approved: Your refund has been approved and is being prepared for issuance.
- Refund Sent: The refund has been sent to your bank or mailed to you. It may take up to 5 days to appear in your bank account or several weeks for a mailed check
If your refund is delayed, it could be due to corrections or additional review needed by the IRS. They will contact you by mail if more information is required
. For convenience, you can also check your refund status via the IRS2Go mobile app or through tax preparation services like TurboTax or Jackson Hewitt which provide tracking features
. If you want to check your state tax refund, you need to visit your state’s tax agency website separately
. In summary, the fastest and most reliable way to find out where your refund is currently is to use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" online tool with your SSN/ITIN, filing status, and refund amount
