Where’s My Tax Refund?

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The IRS officially opened for the 2014 tax season today and a common question asked around this time is “Where’s My Refund?”

Many taxpayers also have questions about how the process of getting tax refunds and refund timing works.

We know you work hard for your money and wanted to answer some of the most common questions we see about the issuance of tax refunds.

Here is a breakdown of how your tax return will progress through 3 stages with the IRS -“Return Received”, “Return Approved”, and “Refund Sent” once you e-file and where you can go to check your refund status so you understand “Where’s My Refund?”:

Refund Process

  1. Start checking status 24 – 48 hours after e-fileOnce you e-file with direct deposit, you can start checking the status of your return 24 – 48 hours after you e-file on the IRS Where’s My Refund tool.
  2. 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 not see a refund date until the IRS finishes processing your tax return and approves your tax refund.
  3. 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”.  Sometimes the change in status can take a few days, but it could take longer and a date will not be provided in Where’s My Refund? until your tax return is processed and your tax refund is approved.
  4. Where’s My Refund? tool shows refund date – The IRS will provide an actual refund date once your status moves to “Refund Approved”.  The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in 21 days or less.
  5. Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent” – You’re now closer to your biggest tax refund! 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 requested that your tax refund be mailed, it could take several weeks for your check to arrive.

Here are more answers to your common questions about your tax refund:

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

Where’s My Refund will not give you a date until your tax return is received, 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 are incomplete information, an error, or the IRS needs to review it further.

What other sources can I use to check my refund status?

Once you have e-filed your tax return with TurboTax, you can check your status using MyTurboTax.  You can even check your status on the go from your mobile device using TurboTax free app MyTaxRefund.

If you haven’t e-filed your taxes yet, you can start today.  You may even be able to e-file your federal tax return for free and have your biggest tax refund in your pocket within 21 days.

3,444 responses to “Where’s My Tax Refund?”

  1. Money in my account this morning! !!! Filed 1/24 accepted 1/28 had my refund this morning 2/12 .. and people please GET A BANK ACCOUNT having your deposit sent to a MONEY CARD is ghetto and expensive. . You cant wait to get your return .. but you’re giving it away before you even get it

  2. If u went to a taxprofessional to do your taxes and your check comes to them does it matter that. They didn’t mark how it Should be refunded ….

  3. I filed on the 29th of January and was accepted on the 30th of January. .. Im still on the first bar on WMR… Kinda worried for the delay… Any one else with a similar issue?.

  4. I used TT and requested DD into my WF account. I was accepted on 1/30 and I am still on 1 bar and I ordered my online transcript and there is no information on it. Should I be worried? The IRS always scares me. 🙂

  5. What does it mean if my estimated refund date disappeared from the turbo tax website? It was saying 2/20 now it’s blank. WMR is stay saying received.

    • Good morning Marie, I have been accepted since the 28th and I haven’t moved either called the irs this morning spoke with a lady that said due to me filing early that mines was delayed 2weeks but my batch should be coming through soon, She said it was there fault not mine I was like finally you are giving people some kind of answers this makes no sense to me but I know they are doing them in batches this year for real she said call next week if I don’t see anything. I won’t be filing early next year!!!

    • I called the 1-800-829-1040 and don’t pick the option to check the status of your refund choose personal income taxes then just pick like you have a payment and a irs rep will pick up

      • Theyre ALLWAYS open to received theyre money huh? Smhl …thats believable honestly… And messed up … We wanna know about our money just like them!

  6. I had a ddd for today, the website is still on “approved”. Still not saying it was sent, however, it was on my emerald card at 7:30 this morning!!!!!

  7. I just want to add (vent) one more thing that bothered me about this experience. The government holds our money, then when we try to get it back, the people at irs and state govt’s treat us like animals. I hate that we are at the mercy of those incompetent people that govern us while the rich 1% of the population scoff at how the working class depends so much on our refunds. This js one giant messed up system….all the best to those of us who work hard for OUR money. God Bless us all!

  8. I just got my dd this morning for my federal. Still waiting on State (MD). A little nervous about that.
    But so relieved about the federal. I just want to thank everyone here for sharing their experiences. It served as like a support group for me as I struggled with the waiting game. I learned about the transcripts and the SB bank website and etc. Thank you and I just wish everyone the best!

  9. Had a ddd of the 12th and just called our bank. It’s in the account. So relieved. Good luck to all those still waiting. I hope you get yours soon.

  10. Trying to see if anyone used 24 hour tax.com and if so what bank do they use? I can not find any information about their bank someone please help if you can…..

  11. Any updates for us 1/31’ers? I’m still at one bar with nothing at sbbt. I am so disgusted by all the people that went after us, have the $$ already. 🙁

    • I’m in same boat:( Still processing and yesterday I received my state refund and I’m from michigan I never got state first. Bummed

    • Filed on1 /29 accepted 1/31 can’t not order transcripts bars have not move. No money on in bank pending. This was my first and last time using TT and last. I never had any problem when I was with Tax Act. I am starting to believe turbo tax messed up processing and we the ppl will not hear about until well after tax season. I beyond frustrated.

    • Brandi, mine never showed up on SBBT. I think it will only show up on SBBT if your tax specialist uses SBBT to take fees out of your refund like if you use turbo tax and chose to have them take the fees out of your refund. I used the Freedom Edition of Turbo Tax paid no fees and nothing ever pulled up on SBBT. Hope this helps.

    • Yes!! Mine was filed the 30th and accepted the 31st and 4 of my co workers that filed AFTER me got theirs already!! it is soo frustrating because I am not trying to go shopping or anything I have bills that need to be paid asap!

    • Im still waiting too! Filed electronically on 1/31 and im still waiting for my return. I filed with tt every year and it usually takes a week for my refund. Im at the accepted bar as well. Frustrated and nervous

  12. Hey if you have Huntington bank check your account the money should be there if your DDD 2-12-13. Also the website didn’t update im still on 2 bars but I have my money and the hotline is down….Everyone have a blessed day!!!!

  13. fleda said: on February 11, 2014 at 10:32 pmYour comment is awaiting moderation.

    I filed TT free addition and filed to have it DDep. Now I find out that something went wrong with TT and hundreds are not deposited, instead IRS is sending out paper checks. WHY? Who knows. Turbo Tax isnt answering quesstions to hundreds.

    • Same thing happened to me! I used the Free Federal Edition and my direct deposit info was purposely left out! Now I’m supposed to get a paper check in the mail! But when and how long does that take!

  14. Update still processing and no transcript!!! I filed 02/01 and got accepted on 02/05 what a nightmare!!! Day 7!!! Worried!!!

  15. Accepted on the 31st and still on one bar….I just ordered transcript and it said it will be mailed 5-10 days….Does that means I should have a ddd soon?

    • I was able t order a transcript on yesterday (morning) and I was still stuck in processing today. I filed and was accepted on Feb 2… am wondering if they even updated the system last night at all???

  16. Just got my refund in my account at 10PM I use Walmart Money Network!!! Wooo I am so excited! Good luck to everyone else! See you next year! 🙂

    • Did anyone else notice they changed the routing number for Walmart Money Card? It was different the day I filed, it was gor GE Capital Retail Bank and now it is through Green Dot bank this has me very worried. Half my deposit went to another card and I have received it but haven’t received anything on my walmart card. I had a DDD of 02/12 and filed on 02/01

  17. Hey I’m worried about my money I got my state refund friday but haven’t heard anything I filled on the 27th and it was accepted on the 31 I called the number checked online and even got the app im a first time fillier as well

  18. Hello everyone . I am wondering if the IRS updated the where’s my refund service last night? Has anyone received an update today at all? I was able to order my transcripts yesterday but I am still stuck on processing. My refund is not showing up as approved and I do not have a deposit date… Has anyone else had the issue?

  19. Anyone else who has a scheduled direct deposit of their refund on 2/12 receive an offset on their refund but both the FMS and the IRS say they can find no debts associated with my SS. Im supposed to get 7200 but they offset it by 2000.

  20. My return was accept 2/2/14 right away within an hour and it has been in received first bar ever since? Whats taking so long? I e-filed with turbo tax.

  21. This question may have already been answered.. But I’m thinking there was a glitch or system error for us who was accepted on 1/30 & 1/31 because it seems like those dates are the ones having issues.

    • They didnt have a glitch this same thing happened to me last year i was lucky enough to do a phone interview last year and got it approved . This year not so lucky anyone claiming earned income credit over a certain amount needs reviewed it could take the full 21 or days to review then they have 6 weeks to either mail you a check or issue a deposit

    • Mine was received on 1/28 and I have not heard anything yet either. I was finally able to reach a live person at IRS yesterday and they said it had not been processed yet.

      • I called the IRS and was told they couldn’t give me ANY info until after 21 days. I’m not in no desperate need for the money at his particular moment but I’m just freaking out because it has never taken this long.. I’m worried something happened, the irs is always scary to me lol.

      • Yea I know me to. I have never had a problem before and I have already gotten my state back last week. I usually get them back at the same time not use to the federal taking this long. Makes me nervous. I don’t like the way they are doing things this year.

      • I don’t understand either.. The website updates at 12:00 but my time 11:00pm (central) if I’m awake, I’ll check it again. It’s nuts. And no one seems to want to help you., they won’t even take your SSN to check!

      • I finally got through to someone yesterday that would check it for me but just said it had not been processed. I don’t know if I need to go with the date on the turbo tax website which is 2/20 or if it will eventually come in sooner on the WMR website. Just hate the waiting game. I’m not a patient person lol.

  22. Im goin to the sb thing but its saying error no record of me
    But I have dd through Chase how can I check to see if its pending

  23. So I Filed For My Taxes On 2/7/2014 It’s Been Several Days And It’s Still On The Same Bar. I Know My Situation Isn’t As Bad As Others On Here So I Don’t Wanna Here (Just Wait On It Or It Could Be Worst) The Reason I’m Writing On Here Is Because I Decided To Look At My Transcripts To See If I Could Order Them And While I Was Reading My Account And Record Transcript For 2013 And See A Message Stating “Return Due Date Or Return Receive Date (whichever is later) Processing Date March 3,2014 (refund Issued) & April 15, 2014 (received date) I’m Trying To Figure If Anyone On Here Would Mind Telling Me What These Dates Mean? Thank You In Advance

  24. Hello everyone, Just reading some of the comments. I know how you feel. I have been waiting to. I was accepted on 1/30/14, approved on 2/8/2014. I now have a DDD for the 12th. I have checked the Santa Barbara Bank and it says they have received my refund and have taking out the TT fees, it also inform me that Santa Barbara Bank has sent my refund to my bank which is today 2/11/114. Hope this help!

  25. last year I filed on the 19th and got my refund on the 31st. On the wmf it told me I was approve after I already got my return. I’m very impatient!

  26. I filed via TurboTax online at home on 1/24/14 and was accepted on 1/28/14. When I checked the IRS’s “where’s my refund” it showed the message “your tax refund will be sent to your bank before February 12, 2014”. I checked just a few minutes ago (4:31pm) and my refund is in my account and available for use (and some of it has already been spent LOL).My status bar still shows “refund accepted” even with me having my refund. I did file with TT but the previous 15 years were filed with H&R Block and I had this refund direct deposited to that card because it has been active for a year and I have a weekly direct deposit placed on it anyway.

  27. My situation: I filed using TT free edition on January 16th. IRS received (accepted) my return on January 30th. Nothing has happened since then, 12 days later. I receive a single 1099-R for my state retirement pension and I have the standard deductions (If my 1099-R was a W-2, I could file 1040-EZ). I tried ordering transcripts but there was an asterisk (*) next to 2013. When I clicked on it, I got a letter that said they had no record that I filed a 2013 return. I went to TT and got into a chat with one of their representatives. Explained the above and then gave her my SSN so she could check the status. She said, “Ok i see here that it has been approved but it just hasn’t been processed yet.
    I said, “approved” or “accepted”?
    She said, “approved the information is correct and has been accepted by the irs
    it just has not been processed yet.”

    I would think TT would train their representatives to use “accepted” instead of “approved” and know the difference when it comes to IRS.

    So, I sit here not know why it’s taking so dang long to get my very simple return processed and approved. It’s not like I’m getting back big bucks! I’m only getting a little over $500 back!

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