Where is my tax refund?

Checking the Status of Your Tax Refund Online

To check the status of an individual taxpayer's tax refund online, follow these steps:

Step 1: Gather Required Information

Before you begin, make sure you have the following information ready:

- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

- Your filing status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er))

- The exact refund amount listed on your tax return

Step 2: Use the "Where's My Refund?" Tool

- Visit the [Where's My Refund?] page on the IRS website.

- Enter the required information: SSN or ITIN, filing status, and exact refund amount.

- Submit the information to view the status of your refund.

Step 3: Understanding Your Refund Status

The "Where's My Refund?" tool will display one of the following statuses:

- Return Received: The IRS has received your return and it is being processed.

- Refund Approved: The IRS has approved your refund and is preparing to send it to you by direct deposit or mail.

- Refund Sent: The IRS has sent your refund to your bank or mailed it to the address on your return.

Additional Information

- The refund status should appear within 24 hours after e-filing or 4 weeks after mailing a paper return.

- The "Where's My Refund?" tool is updated once per day, usually overnight.

- If you filed an amended return, you should use the [Where's My Amended Return?] tool instead.

Step 4: Using the IRS2Go App

Alternatively, you can check your refund status using the IRS2Go app, which is available for download on your mobile device.

Step 5: Contacting the IRS for Help

If you do not have internet access or prefer to check your refund status by phone, you can call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954 for current-year refunds or 866-464-2050 for amended returns.

Note on Refund Delays

Your refund may be delayed if your return requires additional review or corrections. The IRS will contact you by mail if more information is needed to process your return.

Remember, the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, but some returns may take longer to process. If you have not received your refund within the expected timeframe, you can find more information about potential reasons for delay on the [Where's My Refund?] page.

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Sources:

Refunds | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number - Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Online account for individuals | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

How do I apply for an ITIN? | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-04

Taxpayer identification numbers (TIN) | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Let us help you | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Get your tax records and transcripts | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Determining an Individual’s Tax Residency Status 2024-08-03

Where's My Refund? | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

Tools | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-02 https://www.irs.gov/help/tools