There are now several ways to check your refund and check to make sure the IRS has actually received your filing.
About 24 hours after filing the IRS acknowledges receipt of an electronically filed tax return and up to four weeks after a taxpayer mails a paper return.
Just go to IRS.gov and clicking on Get Your Refund Status to access the Where’s My Refund? tool. The Where’s My Refund? tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so taxpayers only need to check once a day.
The IRS even has a mobile app now where you can check refund status, make a payment, and find free tax prep help. Go to IRS2Go app to download.
Taxpayers will need three things to use these tools:
- Social Security number
- Tax filing status
- The exact amount of the refund claimed on their tax return
Once the taxpayer enters that information the tool will display the progress of their tax return through the following stages:
- Return received
- Return approved
- Refund sent
And remember when seeking information go directly to the IRS app, IRS2Go or use the official Where’s My Refund? tool at IRS.gov. Avoid scammers who may create look-alike sites in an attempt to steal sensitive personal information by never clicking on links in emails or believe unsolicited phone calls. Be wary of search engine results or links to refund sites they receive by email or text. Be safe and go directly to IRS.gov for all your needs. The IRS will always mail you a letter and give you time to respond.
When to call the IRS:
- It has been 21 days or more since you have electronically filed your tax return
- It has been more than six weeks since you mailed your return
- When the Where’s My Refund? results tell you to contact the IRS