One of the hardest parts about doing your taxes? Waiting for that tax refund to hit your bank account.
If you’re expecting a tax refund this year, here’s how you can check your tax refund status — and when you can expect to have that cash in hand.
Ways to check the status of your tax refund
There are three different ways to easily track the status of your refund.
Where’s My Refund? – This is the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) official online tool for tracking the status of your refund.
IRS2Go mobile app – This IRS app makes it easy to check the status of your refund from any mobile device.
IRS TeleTax System – You can also call the IRS TeleTax System at 1-800-829-1954 and use their automated telephone system to check the status of your refund.
For all methods listed above, taxpayers must input their Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount. All methods are available in English and Spanish.
How soon can I track my tax refund status?
How quickly you can track the status of your tax refund depends on how you filed your individual income tax return this year:
E-filers can typically check their refund status within 24 hours after e-filing their return online (allow 3 to 4 days if you e-filed a prior-year return).
Paper filers need to wait four weeks after mailing their return before they can view their refund status online or on the IRS mobile app.
Callers to the IRS TeleTax System should wait at least four weeks before checking their refund status by phone. The TeleTax refund information is updated each weekend, so it’s best to wait a week before calling back to check again.
The stages of my tax refund
There are three possible stages when checking on your refund status:
Return Received
Refund Approved
Refund Sent
In some cases, if there is an issue with your return, the Where’s My Refund tool may direct you to call the IRS for more information.
When to expect your tax refund from the IRS
How long it takes to receive your refund also varies depending on how you filed your tax return:
E-filers should wait up to 21 days for their refund to be issued.
Paper filers should expect to wait 6 weeks or more for returns sent by mail.
If your return needs corrections or extra review, expect to wait longer than the times listed above.
In general, the quickest way to get your refund is to file electronically and choose direct deposit rather than receiving a mailed check.
Why is my refund taking so long to arrive?
Refund delays are always frustrating, and there are many ways they can happen. Inaccurate or incomplete information, math errors, and missing signatures are common reasons your federal tax return may be delayed. Errors and omissions like these can interrupt the processing of your return while the IRS works to correct the mistake. Plus, filing an amended return to correct these mistakes means it will take even longer to get your tax refund check.
Due to high call volumes, the IRS recommends not calling them with questions about your refund unless you’ve been instructed to do so or if it’s been longer than 21 days since you e-filed your tax return. To speak with an IRS representative during normal business hours, call 1-800-829-1040.
Check out our guide to income tax refunds for more information about the ins and outs of tax refunds.
This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.
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