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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. My #Taxhero saved me from filing paper mail, fixed a mistake and I was able to E-file. Thanks so much, @TurboTax.

  2. I filed February 6 it’s been over a month and it’s still in process and nobody can tell me when I’m going to get my money

    • Mines has be processing for bout 35 days and I’m still waiting on my date also can yall please notify me of something

    • I filed February 4’th. I got my state refund immediately and like you my federal return STILL shows that it is being processed. Every number provided to check on my refund only allows me to check the status of my refund which I already know is being processed and I cannot get through to an actual person to ask what the delay is

    • I filed on February 10th. And still nothing! Received my state yesterday! I never in my years doing my taxes received my state first🧐

  3. I did my texes on 2/25 and still saying processing.last year it didn’t take longer than 2weeks what is going on..

  4. I filed my ITR last Feb 12 and my status is accepted the same night it was submitted. The apps is telling me that I will get my refund March 6, but as of today, my status is still the same, ‘accepted’. Coincidentally, this was only my second time filing it myself using the Turbo Tax.

  5. It’s been over 6 weeks for me, going on 2 months and still no info on my refund. Very disappointed. No one answers my questions on Turbo related to my refund. And the SBTG never answers. I don’t know what’s going on but it’s very frustrating.

  6. I being waiting almost 45days when check online and call irs they keep saying processing. No letter no nothing and efile

  7. Wow this sounds like a real bummer. Never had to wait more then two weeks going on day 21 bummed. Way too expensive to file with Turbo if there’s no advantage. Slamt.

      • I got a letter too saying they need another 60 days today but when I check the site it told me that they reduce it cause I owe the irs but gave me a date for the 3/22/2019 I got accepted 1/28/2019 I was under a. 45 review also that wasn’t over until April 25

    • I agree! I haven’t received any updates and I’m almost at 3 weeks. Last year when I filed with a different company and paid far less, it was approved in almost 2 weeks. I’m more annoyed that I paid for a service and it’s taking much longer than expected

  8. I filed and was accepted 2/7. My Refund was adjusted to a little more. Where’s My Refund said I would get the original amount 3/13 and the adjusted amount on 3/18 and a letter was mailed out explaining the adjustment on 3/11. My refund was set to going through Sbgt, but as of today 3/13 nothing has been received. Is the IRS going to send the full amount on 3/18? Should I be worried?

  9. So do I still have to pay the TurboTax fees cause don’t see where yall ‘have done anything I still haven’t received my taxes it’s been 8 weeks

      • I was told that I was on a 45 day review I filed January 28 well today I got a date and my 45 days not up until April 25th u need to call them to see what’s going on
        Remember do not put in any of your information when calling they will then put you on hold to talk to a live representative

  10. I have received my IRS refund, but have not received my state refund, and am wondering where it is, and what is holding it up? It is a Georgia state refund

    • I got my Georgia state refund within days of filing but not my federal 🤔 even when I mailed my returns in for MANY YEARS I never had to wait this long. Something is just off and I can’t even get a person in the phone to tell me why. Just an automated system telling me what I already know; that it is being processed. I will NEVER do Turbo Tax again

  11. I filed my taxes and received my Federal Refund in about 21 days, but the amount was not what was filed on my turbotax return. I used turbotax last year, received a refund and this year’s refund was supposed to be about the same as last year’s. The deposit in my account was about 8% of what my tax filing said I would get back. Who do I contact?

  12. I filed my taxes on 2/20/19, they were accepted on the same day. I have yet to receive my taxes. Where’s my refund says “still being processed.” My transcripts are N/A. I not received a letter or any additional info. and I’ve already paid TurboTax. Frustrated! What’s going on???

    • Exact same for me. I filed 2/20 was accepted that day and haven’t received any updates since. Tried to call to talk to someone since it’s been over 21 days from being accepted and they make
      You type in the information and all it says is still being processed

      • I checked my transcripts this morning online. I have a 846 Refund Issue for 3/20. Did you try to see if your transcripts have updated? Where’s my refund still says “still being processed” but that may change by the AM.

    • I have that same problem or it’s under review I finally call them she told me they got my check but I still have to wait 45 days.

      • What number did you call???? I’ve called so many and cannot get an actual person in the phone. Instead I get an automated system telling me it’s STILL being processed.

  13. turbo tax made a mistake on my state refund it was exiled and accepted by Irs Still haven’t heard anything says pending

  14. I did mine on 2/3 and they were accepted same day! Haven’t gotten anything even with the EIC should of had them at the end of February. Called the IRS and was told I’m under review. I went to another tax place to look over my taxes and the paperwork everything I did was fine and correct! IRS said next time to call is if I don’t get it by 4/26. I’ll never use this service again! It seems like everyone I’m talking to with or without children are having problems getting their money back.

  15. I want to know what is the problem with my tax refund what I’m waiting on for them to direct deposit to my turbotax card

  16. Hi! I have already received my federal tax return. I’m waiting on my state tax, there has been over a week time between the two. Is something wrong?

  17. I filed my 2015 tax return on February 19th and mailed it to Fresno. I have not received any acknowledgement that they received it. How do check to know if IRS received my mailed tax form? Is there a way to check it? If so, how? Please help.

  18. This is the third year I have filed with turbo tax have not had any troubles at all, I received my return direct deposit about 25 day from the date sent just like the email said I would THANK YOU TURBOTAX See you again next year…

  19. I filed with turbo tax 2/16 and it said that it was accepted by the IRS the same day, but I haven’t get my refund yet! My friend field a week later and he already has his money. What’s going on! Should I be concern?

  20. I got my refund ok but I paid 14 dollars to for my Mass. Tax and want to know if it got there. I have not seen it on my bank statement.

  21. Yes I filed my taxes in 2-1-19 received federal when I look up State still stuck processed.can u see why or tell me how

  22. I filed February 4th and accepted February 4th, and on a 45 day review, have recieved nothing no updates, I have no cash and want to get my refund.. please what can I do but wait on a stupid letter on the 18th horriable this year. I am filing later next year.

  23. I can’t even get to state of Mi “where’s my refund” I keep getting, my info doesn’t match. It says the same thing when I call. I’m following the instructions. It was received on 2/11 e-filed. And you cannot even talk to a person. Any ideas?

  24. I filed on feb 9th and my State refund has already been paid yet still nothing on my federal! I have used turbo tax for the last three years with no problems and now I have a problem! I just don’t understand where my refund is!!!

  25. I have e-file my tax returns with turbo tax on Feburary 5, 2019. I have still not yet recieved my return. Is there a reason it takes this long?

  26. I filed mine last month I downloaded my copy of the taxes and when I go to open them to check the specific number to put into the irs website there’s letter and numbers like a code or something. And on top of that i try to figure out where my stuff is I’m either talking to a robot or I’m getting a message saying there’s no tax return on file this happened last year and idk if im going to file with turbo after this.

  27. I filed with TurboTax on January 29 ,2019 and it was accepted minutes later,my status is still saying my refund is still processing a refund date will be given when available? My refund has never taken this long should I be worried?

  28. My taxes were accepted on Jan. 30th not sure why its takin this long to be processed…I’m starting to panick something’s wrong

  29. I don’t think I’ll ever use Turbo tax again, Federal return took all my money that I should have gotten back I have no off set , and for some reason my return from the federal was $17.00 I’ve never gotten a low ball amount from the Federal tax return.

  30. Mine was filed turbo tax n shows it will be sent tomm march q3th but I still haven’t got my turbo card. I called n told turbo I hadn’t received my card n it takes 7 to 10 days to get another one. Will my money be on it when I get it.

    • I finally got a hold of someone at the IRS because mine said the same thing. I was told that they are under review, and if I dont have them, or a reason why I don’t have them mailed to me by the 18th of APRIL, I am supposed to call them back.

  31. I have been waiting since February 5 have not received my refund. I have nowhere to go to find out what happened to it . I have been using turbo tax for years never had this problem. Did my children taxes and they got their last month and they received theirs. It was accepted the same day and now it’s still being processed. What up with that

  32. We filled our rifle taxes with Turbo tax on 1/27/19 and was accepted 1/28/19. Still no refund. I have called twice and all they say is letter for more info in the mail to us. It’s been way too long and still no refund. Can you help us?

  33. Have filed for a few years now they say there is no account attached to my account what kind of deal
    is this

  34. I FILED WITH TURBO TAX ON FEB 10TH. SAID MY TAXES WERE ACCEPTED. STILL HAVE NO DEPOSIT? ITS BEEN 22 DAYS?? I GO TO THE IRS SITE AND SAYS ITS PROCESSING STILL…

  35. Hello on where’s my refund it said refund sent 2/27. I never got it. I checked my transcript the 29th and it said refund cancelled. I called the IRS they said it was rejected. How is that possible when Turbo Tax verified that we both have the same banking info? One rep said wait 8 weeks. One said I was under review and to wait 90 days..

  36. My federal taxes were accepted 2/7. Got a letter from IRS saying I needed to verify my identity. Spent 45 minutes on the phone with them and I still have not received my refund. And IRS said it could take 9 weeks. I would like to know why?

  37. I filed on Feb 17 and I still have not received my taxes. This is my first time filing with Turbo and the last because I never had this problem before nor have my taxes ever took this long to come and I still don’t have a release date yet.

  38. I filed my taxes on Feb 7. Received a letter from IRS (3/18/19) stating that the V.A. has seized my return from my deceased husband died Jan 19 2018. He died in debt and I had to borrow money to bury him. I need the money to repay nephew I borrowed the money from. Am I responsible for his debts? Can I get some or all of my income tax return since I worked for it.

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