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Where’s My Tax Refund How to Check Your Refund Status (1440 × 600 px)
Where’s My Tax Refund How to Check Your Refund Status (411 x 600)

Where’s My Tax Refund? How to Check Your Refund Status

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The average direct deposit tax refund was close to $3,100 last tax season, and with tax season well underway, it’s no surprise that the most common tax season-related question we’re now hearing is: “Where’s my refund?”

The time it takes the IRS to process your tax refund is based on how you chose to file your tax return – either e-file or by mail.

  • E-filed tax returns with direct deposit: E-file with direct deposit is the fastest way to get your federal tax refund. Typically, the IRS expects to issue most tax refunds within 21 days after acceptance if there are no issues.
  • Mailed paper returns: Avoiding a paper return is more important than ever to avoid refund delays, if possible. The IRS cautions if you need your refund quickly do not file on paper. Usually, the IRS says to allow 4 weeks before checking the status of your refund, and that refund processing can take 6 to 8 weeks from the date the IRS receives your return.    
Close-up of a man taking a picture of a paper check to upload to the bank.

Tax Refund Processing

  • Start checking status 24 – 48 hours after e-file: Once you have e-filed your tax return, you can check your status using the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool. You will need your Social security number or ITIN, your filing status, and your exact refund amount. 
  • Return Received Notice within 24 – 48 hours after e-file: The IRS Where’s My Refund? tool will show “Return Received” status once they begin processing your tax return. You will need the following information when checking refund status: Social security number or ITIN, your filing status, and your exact federal tax refund amount shown on the tax return. You will not see a tax refund date until the IRS finishes processing your tax return and approves your tax refund.
  • Status change from “Return Received” to “Refund Approved”: Once the IRS finishes processing your tax return and confirms your tax refund is approved, your status will change from “Return Received” to “Refund Approved.” The change in status can take a few days, and a tax refund date will not be provided in Where’s My Refund? until your tax return is processed and your tax refund is approved.
  • Where’s My Refund? tool shows refund date: The IRS will provide a personalized refund date once your status moves to “Refund Approved.” 
  • Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent”: If the status in Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent,” the IRS has sent your tax refund to your financial institution for direct deposit. It can take 1 to 5 days for your financial institution to deposit funds into your account. If you opted to receive your tax refund via mail, it could take several weeks for your check to arrive.

 You could experience delays in receiving your tax refund if your return:

  • Includes errors – The IRS has indicated that your refund could be delayed if the information you provided on your tax return does not match the IRS records. 
  • Is incomplete – If you didn’t have all of your documents and filed an inaccurate return
  • Needs further review in general
  • Is affected by identity theft or fraud
  • Includes Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax CreditUnder the Path Act, the IRS cannot issue a refund that includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February.
  • Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF, which could take up to 14 weeks to process
Close-up of a woman checking her bank account.

Tax Refund Status FAQ

Will I see a date right away when I check the status in “Where’s My Refund”? 

The IRS Where’s My Refund? tool will not give you a date until your tax return is received, and processed, and your tax refund is approved by the IRS.

It’s been longer than 21 days since the IRS has received my tax return, and I have not received my tax refund. What’s happening?

Some tax returns take longer than others to process depending on your tax situation. Some of the reasons it may take longer include incomplete information, an error, or the IRS may need to review it further.

I requested my money be automatically deposited into my bank account, but I was mailed a check. What happened?

The IRS is limiting the number of direct deposits that go into a single bank account or prepaid debit card to three tax refunds per year. Your limit may have been exceeded. In addition, for a small number of returns, the IRS decides there may be indications that the bank account on the return is suspicious and they may decide to issue a check instead.

2,010 responses to “Where’s My Tax Refund? How to Check Your Refund Status”

  1. This is my first time filing, I filed on 2/1/19 and received my federal refund on the 27th but I still have not received my state refund yet? Is this normal?

  2. I did the etic and i filed 36 days ago with direct deposit an i still have nothing.just says proccessing still.

  3. I used turbo tax as well for the first time and maybe the last time. The irs sent me a 5071C letter to verify my identity and I went in person to the irs and verified my identity and the irs where’s my refund still isn’t giving me any info on my return. I don’t understand

      • We did get that letter, filled out the information they wanted and said it could take 9-12 weeks to get our refund.

      • I called IRS and they told me they have everything they need as of 03/05 although I verified way before that. Is it really 9 weeks now….?

      • All my taxes say it’s been in processing. It has said that for 2 weeks. What’s going on. It has never taken this long.

      • When do they add your taxes on your card everyday or one or two times a week or do they do them on the weekend

    • I called the IRS after getting the same letter and going In person, was told that u can’t use anything to track your refund. You have to wait the 9 weeks then call back check your bank account daily is all we can do. Hope that helps

    • I have the same issue I proved my identity two weeks ago and I still cannot check on where is my refund. I called & they said they have nine weeks to issue a refund from date of identity being proven. I hopes that helps you

    • I’m having the same issue. Previous years i’ve had a tax preparer do my taxes. I had no problems in the past. This has been such a bad experience. I ID verified on 2/25/19. With no change

    • I got letter 5071c less than a week ago, I called them and verified my identity today the status changed to approved my ddd is March 13. Just ha g in there guys!

    • It took about 10 days from 27 Feb. for where’s my refund to update my status letting me know my money will be in my account on Mar 13.. So about 2 weeks in total to receive my return after visiting in person.

    • I’ve filed my taxes and Saturday made 21 days Im still not getting any answers about my refund what is the problem

    • I filed 1/17 got the 5071c letter verified on 2/19 still no update on still haven’t received anything can’t check transcripts cause they where blank. I never had to do anything like this before always got my refund every year since I started filling.

    • Your not able to check the status of your refund, Once u have verified your identity. Thats what I was told by the IRS when I verified mine.

  4. My taxes were accepted on the 2/2 and I still haven’t seen a date posted and Iv had people look over my taxes and they see nothing wrong

  5. I filed on Feb 7th and got my federal return promptly, but I have yet to receive my state return (KY). Is there a place where I can look up my state return status?

  6. I live in New York and work in Pennsylvania I filed my taxes and said federal, NY and Pennsylvania accepted them I got federal and Ny still waiting to receive my taxes that pa owes.

  7. Couldn’t get help from turbo tax deluxe they had an error on my return because of a glitch didn’t find out until irs sent me a letter had to go to H&R Block and have them fix it after I paid turbo tax deluxe very disappointed will not use them again

  8. I filed on the 25th of Jan and because of the new tax laws I wouldn’t get my money until the 27th of February, well on the 25th of February I recieved a letter to verify my identity. Now I can’t track my refunds progress and it could take up to 9 more weeks. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

  9. I filed with Turbo Tax the,first time the beginning of Feb. I got a lette from the IRS stating they needed to confirm my id. Really? I did as,required and was told I should receive my refund in 9 weeks! If not, I,should check again.

  10. Got e-mail saying taxes released from IRS feb28 should be in bank in couple of days. It is now march 8th nothing, no tab to search no info to search. no money in bank. what is up?????

  11. I filed Feb 1st.. 1st time ever without a cpa..ised turbo tax… And like others have never in my life waited this long… Would love answers
    Then yall send me an email saying check ur status..that is jacked up

  12. My mom filed hers this year with turbo tax and still has not received anything and she filed on Jan 31st. We’ve been trying to check the status but nothing and we mailed her info.

  13. I need help figuring out where my tax return is. Its been a month since I filed I know it takes long to get back since my refund is being mailed to me. But when I track my refund or call the irs they haven’t received a refund for me.

  14. I filled my tax refund through efile last 02/05/2019 and i haven’t yet received any until now it’s almost 30days where is mu refund

  15. Did my taxes on the 2/23/19 accepted both federal and state on the 25-26 . Received my federal but not my state yet who can I contact about my refund. My wife got both of hers before I did and I did mine two weeks before hers

  16. I did my taxes on 2/23 and they were approved on the same day. The where is my refund tool at the irs site says it was received neither the refund was approved. I have not received any communication at all. This is the first time my refund is taking longer than usual. Should I be concerned

    • I am having the same problem, and beginning to believe that there’s something wierd and fishy going on with the government system for this tax year. Kind of suspicious hearing that so many people are having problems with the return of their 2018 tax refunds.

    • I’m having the same issue. Mine is still saying it’s processing. First time doing it myself with turbo and every other time the past few years I’ve gotten back back in less than two weeks so this is quite frustrating. It’s making me paranoid

  17. I filed through turbo tax and haven’t heard nothing Feb 5th, I would like to know what’s going on with it. It said it was successful both state and federal. Please let me know something in regards to it.

  18. I filed with turbo this year and when I check for the status of my refunds it shows that they were deposited on my account. When I check my account there is nothing like tax refunds. What could be the problem

    • I, too, am going through the same. The IRS site says that my refund was deposited to my bank on 3/6/2019 but nothing is there. I called my bank this morning to see if they could tell me anything, or see anything on their end, but all I was told was “no” and to wait until Monday to see if goes through. I don’t remember it taking this long in past years with this service, but might not use Turbo Tax again.

    • I am having the same problem. The irs says my federal refund was sent to my bank on March 6, but it;s still not there. I called my bank and they said it’s not even pending. What is going on?

      • Did you owe back child support, taxes, or student loans that are in default? They may have taken them if you did. I had that happen in 2014.

      • Same exact story for me and I called theirs they informed me that I could expect it April 11th ..I’m so confused

      • I file my tax return on feb 7 with turbo tax and my status still shows being processing, I want to know what’s going on?! I already received my state return on Feb 17…

      • You need to call the IRS. Turbo Tax did their part. If the IRS site is saying payment sent then you should check with them.

      • I did my taxes on 2/11 and i got rejected but i called tarbo tax and the lady was very nice. We refiled and i havent received anything. I havent heard if they accepted them or not and i called the IRS they cant tell me nothing Omg i hate doing taxes around this time.

    • I work for a bank and when you have direct deposit you have to make sure you identity has been verified with your bank if not it will be rejected by the bank also find out if the bank has a cap on much much can be deposited into the account FIRST call the bank and see if they rejected it and if they call the IRS and let them know what the bank told you cause in our cases we tell the customers that if we rejected it the IRS usually will send a paper check to your address.

    • I filled my taxes and receive a date March 6 still have not received anything what’s going on I need my money I have bills

  19. Since I’m using TurboTax again this year–but have not yet filed–when I get an email from you announcing “Taxes Done!” it SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME! With all the publicity regarding fraudulent tax filings, what in the world were you thinking?!?

  20. My taxes were approved February 4th through TurboTax. I was sent a card shortly after, which I set up and activated. It is now March 8th and I have not heard anything. When I check refund status it says “funds are still being processed”. It’s said that for two weeks now? What is going on

    • That’s the same on my end and I would like to know the exact same thing where is my refund IRS sent the money last week to be direct deposited to the card and still have a zero balance

  21. My federal tax has been paid in but not my state tax , do they get oaid in separately as im getting no assistance

  22. I e-filed my taxes. I got my state back but not my federal. I have check the it’s site but it’s no help. Is there a way you can help me please.

    • How long did that take because I don’t even have a date for my state yet it’s still saying have not been processed

  23. My taxes were both accepted on Feb. 12, but I haven’t received my state yet and I e-filed thru Turbo tax and paid the deluxe fee, shouldn’t I be getting some kind of repause from Turbo tax about my state taxes being delayed.

  24. I filed my federal and ca taxes 2 weeks ago but only heard from federal that it was received, why haven’t I heard about my ca return? I have direct deposit for both.

    • WELL, once the federal is received and is accepted then the state will follow behind and wont be rejected so its usually SLOW for STATE as usual since the FEDERAL got more money than the State?

  25. I filed my taxes first time online, then I got a letter from the IRS saying they needed proof of who I am. I sent them the proof on Feb. 19th & haven’t heard anything yet. Anxiously waiting

  26. I doe my taxes with turbo tax for years and never had a problem. My federal return came several eeewe ago but I’m having a problem with nys sending my return. It’s being reviewed, what’s.up with that?

  27. i printed my tax return out and walked in the IRS building . Placed it in the drop box , how long before my return hits my direct deposit? Asking because it’s considered being mailed .

  28. Never have I had a problem doing my taxes. This year for some reason decided to do my taxes with turbo tax, it’s been a month and no refund yet I did efile. Where is my refund don’t even have a date it just says still processing. Never again TurboTax!

    • It’s just not turbo tax it was for everyone this year I filed back in January on turbotax and just got mine due to having kids but still waiting on state taxes. My friend did hers with h&r block same day as me and she still hasn’t gotten anything

  29. I was not happy with your product i filled out everything correctly and when i went to efile i could not. It said i needed a pin # of which i never heard od after doung my own taxes for years

  30. Hello, I filed federal and state taxes with TurboTax on January 28. I received my refund from the state after a couple of weeks. It is now March 8 and I have yet to receive my federal refund. Do you know what the problem is? It seems to be impossible to talk with anyone at the IRS.

  31. I filed on feburary 1st for direct deposit and it says my refund is being processed. How come I still didnt receive it

  32. I filed with turbo and now I have to prove my identity through the federal government something on turbo taxes end

  33. I got approval of my state taxes on 2/5/19 also the federal. I got my federal refund but my bank statement does not show the payment for the owed state taxes. It’s been over a month. When will it be withdrawn and how can I check to make sure it’s going to be paid?

  34. I efiled my taxes feb 3 2019. Then i recieved a letter saying i need to verify my idetification which i did..now another 9 weeks!!! Totally absurd!!! We the Americans file for a reason..WE NEED THE MONEY!!! ughhhhh

  35. i have not gotten my state refund yet, only my federal and i e-file the direct deposit on February 17. i have not gotten a letter or a message. Do you know what is going on?

  36. I filed Feb 3rd accepted the 6th and it still saying processing why I cant get ahold of a person to talk to

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