Checking on the status of your tax refund is easier than ever. You have two options: calling the IRS or checking online.If you want to check the status of your refund online, you can do so directly on the IRS Web site. Visit the IRS' online refund tool or the Spanish version of the tool. The Web sites are available 24/7.
To check on the status of your refund, you'll need the following information:
- Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number.
- The filing status you used when filing your return.
- Your expected refund amount (in whole dollars).
Once you enter that information, the IRS will provide a summary of your status. If your refund has already been mailed or deposited directly into your account, the IRS will indicate the date of mailing or deposit. The IRS will also indicate if your refund has not been delivered because it's still in processing or if the IRS couldn't deliver your refund for some reason.
You can also can check the status of your refund by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954 or the IRS TeleTax System at 800-829-4477. When calling, you'll still be required to provide the same information as required for online access: Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number, filing status, and expected refund amount.
If you e-filed your return, you can check on the status of a refund as soon as 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your return (generally, you'll receive an email acknowledging receipt). If you file a paper return, refund information will generally be available three to four weeks after mailing your return.
Refund checks are normally sent out weekly on Fridays. If you call for a status update and the IRS has not yet processed your return, you'll want to wait at least a week before checking again. The likelihood of a change being made within the week is slight.
If you have amended your return, you should expect to wait at least eight to 12 weeks for those returns to be processed. The IRS will not make information about your amended return available online, so you'll need to call them directly for refund information. Do not use the Refund Hotline for this situation; call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
Refund information is available for the most current year on file. If you file your return on or before July 1, you can check your refund information online until around the second or third week in December of the same year.
If you expect to receive your refund via a third party, usually the result of a RAL or similar loan product, the IRS will only be able to provide information about when and where they deposited your refund. If your refund is delivered to a third party, you need to check directly with that preparer or bank for further status.
If your refund is not deliverable to you due to a bad or incomplete address, you can make the change online. If the IRS has attempted delivery, the refund tool will walk you through the process of changing your address.
Believe your refund was otherwise lost, stolen or destroyed? You can make a claim with the IRS. Generally, the IRS will allow you to file for a replacement check if it has been at least 28 days since your refund was issued but not received. Check online or call the IRS for more information.
Note that there may be difficulties opening the IRS link, which is often busy and has difficulty loading.
