The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Internal Revenue Service’s Where’s My Refund? tool. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed return is received. The tool also provides a personalized refund date after the return is processed and a refund is approved.
Taxpayers can access the Where’s My Refund? tool two ways:
- Visiting IRS.gov
- Downloading the IRS2Go app
To use the tool, taxpayers will need:
- Their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number
- Tax filing status
- The exact amount of the refund claimed on their tax return
The tool displays progress in three phases:
- Return received
- Refund approved
- Refund sent
When the status changes to approved, this means the IRS is preparing to send the refund as a direct deposit to the taxpayer’s bank account or directly to the taxpayer in the mail, by check, to the address used on their tax return.
The IRS updates the Where’s My Refund? tool once a day, usually overnight, so taxpayers do not need to check the status more often.
Contact the Crosslin tax team at (615) 320-5500 if you have any questions. We are here to help!
