<\/p>\n
The IRS tries to process electronic returns<\/a> within 21 days, but during peak season it can sometimes take longer. If you filed a paper return it can take 6 weeks to process a tax refund, so you will need to be patient.<\/p>\n If you want to know when you can expect your Federal tax refund<\/a>, you can check the status of your refund using the \u201cWhere\u2019s My Refund?\u201d<\/a> tool on the IRS.gov website. DO NOT attempt to check your refund using any other service. The \u201cWhere’s My Refund?\u201d tool on the IRS website is the only tool that can safely and accurately check the status of your refund for you.<\/p>\n READ: An IRS Warning About Phone Scams<\/a><\/p>\n What Will You Need?<\/strong><\/p>\n In order to use the \u201cWhere’s My Refund?\u201d tool to check on the status of your refund, you will need to know the following information:<\/p>\n If you filed a joint tax return, you can use either spouse\u2019s Social Security Number to look up your refund.<\/p>\n Where Is This Tool?<\/strong><\/p>\n Go directly to www.irs.gov<\/a>. On the right hand side of the page, you will see a column labeled \u201cFiling & Payment.\u201d The first item in that column is \u201cWhere’s My Refund?\u201d Click on that and it will take you to the IRS refund status page.<\/p>\n This page will ask you for your Social Security Number, your filing status, and the exact amount of the refund that you are due. It is important to answer all three questions correctly or the IRS will not be able to give you any information on your refund.<\/p>\n What Will You See?<\/strong><\/p>\n The status you see on \u201cWhere’s My Refund?\u201d cycles through 3 stages:<\/p>\n If you chose the Direct Deposit option, it could be a couple of days before you see the money deposited into your account after you see the status change to \u201cRefund Sent\u201d (depending on your bank). If you are receiving your tax refund by paper check or debit card, then it can take an extra couple of weeks to receive your refund in the mail.<\/p>\n Limitations<\/strong><\/p>\n The \u201cWhere’s My Refund?\u201d tool can only give you information for the current tax year<\/em>. Note that it does not provide any information on amended returns (IRS Form 1040X<\/a>). It is only updated once a day, usually at night, so there is no need to be constantly checking your refund status every hour.<\/p>\n If you filed electronically<\/a>, you will need to wait between 24 and 72 hours before you can use the \u201cWhere’s My Refund?\u201d tool. If you filed a paper tax return, it can take 2 weeks or more for any information to appear.<\/p>\n READ: Tips for Filing a Late Tax Return<\/a><\/p>\n Can You Speed Up the Process?<\/strong><\/p>\n Unfortunately, no. There are no forms you can fill out or phone calls you can make that will speed up the processing of your Federal tax return. If you call the IRS, they won\u2019t be able to provide any information about the status of your tax refund until at least 21 days have passed since you filed electronically.<\/p>\n What About Amended Returns? Is There a Way to Check on Them?<\/strong><\/p>\n It can take 12 weeks or more for the IRS to process an amended tax return<\/a> (IRS Form 1040X). You can use the IRS tool \u201cWhere’s My Amended Return?\u201d<\/a> to check on the status. There are 3 processing stages for amended returns:<\/p>\n To use the \u201cWhere\u2019s My Amended Return?\u201d tool you will need your Social Security Number, your date of birth, and your zip code. You will be able to check the status of not only the current tax year but also amended returns for the 3 previous tax years.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n