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?”

    • Hello, I have seen people state that when they order their transcript their deposit would/should immediately follow. What is a transcript? Where do you order it from? Lastly, why does ordering one affect the timing of your refund? If you could help (or anyone of that matter) I would greatly appreciate it!

      • DeterminedAngel:

        The reason being is because if you can order your tax transcript, then that means the IRS APPROVED your 2013 taxes and the DDD is only days away.
        Go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript. Do not go to the “Online” section. Go to the one where it says “Get Transcript by Mail.” Click on that and fill in the blanks. It does not ask for anything but your social, street address and postal code on the first page. When you press the “continue” button, it will ask you for what year do you want it for. It will also ask you if you have you filed taxes before. Say yes and then it will ask you what tax year you want the transcript for. If you do not see the tax year 2013, that means the IRS is not finished with your return yet. If it is not there, then just exit out and wait until tomorrow to see if you can get the 2013 tax return. Also, if you do see 2013, then you don’t have to ask for the transcript, unless you need it for something, since you know it is done and you should be getting your DDD very soon. Mine came the very next day! Let me know how it goes.

  1. Well i filed my taxes through free tax usa and i got the email that the irs acceptedmy return which was february 1, 2014 but when i go to wmr it says im entering in the incorrect information and all my information is right. its been 12 days and i still dont have a ddd. I wonder if something went wrong i dont know i need answers

    • Are you maybe entering the total that free tax gave you after fees are taken out? If so find out your total return before free tax takes their cut.

    • the same thing is happening to me. its saying i’m entering the wrong information and still can’t order my transcripts….everyone around is enjoying there refunds

  2. Quick question. The IRS site says my refund will be deposited on 2/14/14 but the Turbotax site says 2/28/14. Which one is the most accurate?

  3. Hi just an update. I wasn’t able to order my return transcript until just now. At first all it was saying that my return was processing and unavailable. So hopefully I’ll have a dd tomorrow! (Filed on 1/30 accepted 1/31) fingers crossed

      • Hi all:
        Every time I tried to order my 2013 tax online, I was always locked out, something was wrong, or there was always an error of some sort telling me to try again later or in 24 hours. I went back online just now and decided to order my 2013 tax and have it mailed to my address and it went through!! It said it will take 5-10 days to receive it. I will let everyone know when I get my DDD. It can’t be far behind since they are finished with my taxes even though it says “processing” on the WMR bar.

  4. I just found a cool way to check ur deposit date.. My transcript is ready for 2013 return and it says my number is 20140703 which supposedly means 2014 7 week and 3 rd day

  5. Mine was accepted, approved and the IRS website says it was supposed to be sent to my bank today. It hasn’t updated to “sent” yet and my bank has no clue. Does the website update the following day? Is there a mass delay?? HMMMMMM….

  6. I hate to ruin your day if we filed on the 31 of Jan and got accepted they played this game last year we are the 1 in 10 who got held for stupid fraud game we will get a letter and call and give are personal information sorry ,I should of used tax act daughter filed on the 3 of Feb got a dd pay out

  7. @ madelin.. It’s probably gonna be another week or so before you see any kind of money unless they find something wrong with you’re paperwork then it will be longer. you are still in the processing stage you wont get a ddd until the irs gets done reviewing the paperwork. .. so stop stressing! Instead think of all the useless things you’re gonna buy with your refund

  8. FILED TAXES ON 01/31/14…ACCEPTED THE SAME DAY STILL NOTHING ALL IT SAYS IS THAT MY RETURN IS STILL PROCESSING..I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FILED THE SAME DAY AND HAVE GOTTEN THEIR REFUNDS ALREADY..THIS IS SO STRESSFUL PLAYING THE WAITING GAME.

  9. Well mine was submitted on the 28th an got accepted on the 29th. I’m still on the first block with no information being given. Day 14

  10. i filed the 29th accepted the 2nd of feb still nothing no approval no money but everybody i know has there money already and some filed way after me i call the irs anf they justsay its still processing and cant even liok into it till 21 days should i be worried

  11. I was able to order a transcript today, I filed early and was accepted on the 24th, my man filed on the 30th and received his this morning. I am going to assume that my is coming being I was able to order a transcript.

  12. I filed TurboTax on Feb 1st, 30 minutes before my girlfriend did, and we were both accepted the same day although I received my dd this morning and she did not, however the Wheres my Refund for me is still in the Refund Approved status, so that thing is not accurate!!! enjoying my $$$$$ Good luck to all

  13. I received my refund today but it was offset by the irs in error. Anyone else have their refund offset even though they have no debt?

  14. i am still on the first bar which is saying accepted but as of today i can order my return transcript but i couldnt yesterday! do that mean good news is coming soon?

  15. I’m still waiting!! I checked again and nothing to return approve and no ordering transcript!!! Still in return receive bar!!! This is 7 day!!! How much more days is this nightmare going for!!!

    • I filed nd was accepted on 2/1. I ordered my transcripts but still dnt have a dd date. My daughter filed 2/8 nd accepted that same day. Her money should be in her account Friday!

    • What are the ordering transcript? And what does that have to do with the refund if you dont mind me asking? Because I filed on the 2nd and it still say return recieved

  16. Me and my room mate did our taxes on the 5th of Feb and she has been approved with a date while I’m still on the 1st bar…….. I have mines set up for direct deposit and I am still on the 1st bar, meaning they are doing the refunds in batches….. I will never do mines through turbo tax again now that I know why some of us are still waiting for an approval. My roommate last name starts with a B and mines start with a J……Do the math…

    • I did my refund on Feb. 7th and still on the first bar…and I did not do mine with turbo tax but I had friends who did and they got accepted and approved and ddd in 5 days!

    • I dont think that means anything because me and my sister filed the same day, got approved on the same day and she got her money on the 8th and I still haven’t been approved yet! And we both had it going to the same bank (wells fargo). So if that was the case we would have both got our taxes back on the same day

  17. Has anyone who is receiving their refund via a paper check received their paper check yet? Unfortunately, I am getting my refund by paper check because TurboTax did not input my banking information correctly when I e-filed even though I specifically requested that my refund be direct deposited into my checking account and even provided by routing and account numbers! Last year I had an issue with the education credits delay and this year TurboTax messes up my direct deposit info! I guess it was because I used the Free Federal Edition and they weren’t going to make a dime! Regardless, TurboTax has been very unreliable these past few years! Never again will I use TurboTax!

  18. If the irs site says “refund approved” is it possible for my taxes to be held up after that? I have never experienced a time where I did not receive my refund by the date specified on the irs site. The only time I did not receive it by the Specified date, my taxes were being held because I did not file a few years prior. Me refund has been approved with a date of 2/12, but I still don’t have it.

  19. We filed on the 22nd and was accepted on the 27th. When I look on the irs website it just keeps saying the processing is delayed and refund date may have changed. Anyone else?

  20. Hello, I filled and was accepted on Jan 31, I’m still waiting for any info.. I can get my transcript though. Does that mean anything? is it close?

  21. Congratulations to everyone that has received a DDD or their refund & this nightmare is over for them! I currently still have no movement on my status bar past “received”. I pray every night that I get a DDD and that this nightmare would be over for me too! Thanks for sharing all of the helpful information that you have to go through an act of congress to get ABOUT YOUR MONEY!!! It has really helped me to know that I am not the only one! #Waiting game continues 🙁

  22. She got a dd date the next day for the 12th just like me & hers was on her card this morning at like 6or 7am. Just thought i would add our experience to the crowd..maybe it will help someone like many others helped me through this.

  23. I filed on jan 24thh got acceped on the 28th & ordered transcript on the 6th got a dd date the next day of the 12th & mine was in my bank account at 11pm on the 11th. My mom did hers the day after me on the 25th got accepted the 29th also got transcripts n the 7th & the next day got addd for the 12tha dd

  24. Can some one help me?? When do irs send paper checks out like what days? Ifiled the 1/30/14 in just got a date today that ishould have it on or before the 19 was wondering is there any days they send them out?

  25. I filed 1/31 and was accepted that night. .. and still nothing… it’s still being processed…. I don’t understand why it’s taking so long… and wish the IRS could be a little more helpful……..

  26. Filed on the 29th accepted on the 30th is haven’t received a ddd date and still have one bar…with a topic 152 what does this mean?

  27. okay this is my first post here but i have been doing a lot of reading, my taxed were accepted on 1/31 like a lot of you i am still waiting on one bar. i went online and was able to get my tax return transcript for this year and printed it out. now im not sure what this means i kno some of you say this is a good sign but could someone please shed some more light as to why this is good sign but i am still not approved with a ddd..

    • nope. not yet. Still waiting. Was received on 1-31 and still not passed the first bar. My state (Mississippi) has been accepted. I filed it afterwards though. Can’t imagine Mississippi being FASTER then the IRS.. I wonder what the hold up is? It HAS to have something to do with turbotax and the dates that we filed.

      • @Tiffany…I wanted to think the same thing (it has something to do with TurboTax & the date filed) but I completed my son’s return on the same date as mine (01/31) through TurboTax & his money was deposited into his account this morning. I keep hearing about these “batches” & that returns are being processed in “batches” but the order of the batches is not making any sense to me!!!
        #So frustrated!!!

      • @ Cotrina.. Your exactly right. I’m confused as well! I don’t understand this whole batch thing.. Especially when the IRS won’t give ANY info! I wonder how these people get this info from the IRS! I have called several times and it’s the same thing every time. “Wait 21 days then call back” I wonder if this means ours is being pulled for further review? What is all these codes people are talking about? How do they get codes?

      • It has nothing to do with turbo tax. I filed with turbo on the 24th. I was accepted on the 28th and refund approved on the 31st with a ddd of 2/6 and the money was at my bank posted to my account after midnight. My boyfriend filed his on the 30th accepted on the 31st and he is still stuck at the one bar and he did not use turbo tax. I think it has more to do with the batch y’all fell in peoplewho filed on that date with different companies are experiencing the same problem.

    • @ Marclogo On today when you checked the first time it didn’t have anything and you checked again hours later and it showed something different? IF so, apparently the IRS updates more then once a day.

      • @Tiffany…The only codes I know about are the one you see when you check WMR & it is located below the message of the whole “return will be processed in 21 days” spill.
        And I don’t think that the IRS updates more than once per day. I check my status throughout the day EVERYDAY!
        I will definitely keep you informed if I hear/find out any new info or get a DDD.

      • The codes on the bottom of your account transcript. One says return issued, i couldn’t order mines till monday night. I got a ddd today. On my account transcript it says refund issued.

      • @Tonya…Thanks for the information. I have heard conflicting stories about transcripts. How did you see your transcript information so quickly. I personally have not requsted my transcript but now thinking I probably should have.????

  28. I guess I will wait till the 20-21st to become worried. I filed on the 30th and was accepted on the 31st. I have been at one bar since then. Sucks mainly because I need a car and this weather is horrible to walk in with babies, My oldest is missing school on the days that are below 0 because I do not have a trustworthy and dependable person she can carpool with. Come on IRS, this single mother needs it.

  29. Where’s my refund said I was scheduled for dd today 2/12 and nothing. It’s not even showing sent on where’s my refund website, what could be the problem?! So frustrated!

  30. I got accepted on the 24th and still waiting, i guess i am in the early batch as well. This sucks it just makes u worry, my fiance got hers back at least. Today it was deposited. It sucks but at least there are others that filed as early as me and havent seen anything. Hopefully they get working since the debt ceiling has been raised

  31. I filed on 1/31/14 it said received on 2/1/14 and I been stuck on 1 bar I checked the transcripts I only got a non filing letter so I said I wasn’t checking anymore because I’m trying to master patience well this morning I woke up at 6am like always checked wmr still one bar checked for a transcript and it’s there no more * non filing letter so should I be excited or no someone please respond

  32. I filed the 27th of jan. Got accepted the 5th of feb still on one bar me and my brother filed same day same tax place same time he has a date for friday by this being my first time filing does it take a little longer or what

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