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. I had a ddd of 2/20/14 wmf stuck on approved.
    I never got a change in status on wmr from approved
    To sent, but my refund posted to my acct without a change in irs tracking tool

  2. What going on with taxes this year i file my taxes feb 6,2014 n i receive my state refund but im still looking for my federal refund its been 2weeks n i haven’t heard nothing i check wgers my refund n its noy saging nothing to help me

  3. I filed and they got accepted on Jan 31. I received my state but my federal are still processing. They said I had until 2/21 to receive my federal return. Now I requested my transcript for this years and the sent it to me so shouldn’t that mean it was approved?? :-/

  4. Update!!! Nothing yet!!! I filed on 02/01 and got accepted on 02/05!!! No return transcript and still on return receive!!! Day 15!!! 🙁

    • Mine says the same thing. 8 was accepted on feb 2nd. I hope to hear something by sat. I honestly don’t care if I get paid next month I just want to know what day I’m getting my money so I can stop checking the Irs website everyday every few hours.

    • I filed and was accepted 1/30 and I’m still processing. No codes, nothing and my return is a simple 1040EZ. When I look at my transcripts it tells me I haven’t filed but WMR says I’m still processing….this makes NO sense and is so frustrating!!

  5. I pray for all of those who file and was accept on jan 31 that we get ddd for tomorrow…let’s hope and see…ddd should go out the next few days…good night

    • UPDATE Finally ! I filed 1/31, had my bars disappear for two weeks. Got a ddd of today a week ago. Honestly, didn’t figure I’d get my refund this morning because others with my ddd had been getting theirs as early as last Friday. However, my refund went in at midnight last night !! Took 20 days but finally got it ! Don’t give up ! And wmr isn’t updating correctly, still doesn’t show my refund as sent. I’d definitely call the irs, if your 15 days or more and still haven’t got a ddd. It’s not just turbo tax, I filed using hr block home software. Good luck everyone !!!

  6. What does randomly selected for further review mean? I filed on 2/6 and Turbo Tax says 83% of people who filed on that day have already received their refunds. Talked to them today and the lady said it had been selected. Not worried about a review, everything is up to par just could really use the money

    • mine is under review also, but I got a partial dd on 2/11, I’m confused..no one can answer me when I call.. there should be no reason any issues , filed with turbotax

      • I found out I am in the AUDIT dept… why oh why didn’t I listen and go to an HR block or a human…not doing this ever again. Good luck, review means audit…. get your documents ready LOL

    • Same here I was randomly selected for review, they told me to wait two weeks after the 21st day and I should hear something from the IRS.

      • Anyone feel free to copy this info and save to your email(new message ect.) for others that will be asking in the upcoming week.
        Reference for those of you that are processed : Add 4 business days onto your cycle day for DDD
        Sample=20140605 is Thursday+4 business days=Wednesday 2/12 as your anticipated DDD
        20140602 = monday 2/3
        20140603 = tuesday 2/4
        20140604 = wednesday 2/5
        20140605 = thursday 2/6
        20140701 = friday 2/7

        20114702= monday 2/10
        20114703= tuesday 2/11
        20114704= wednesday 2/12
        20114705= thursday 2/13
        20114706= friday 2/14

        20140802= monday 2/17
        20140803= tuesday 2/18
        20140804= wednesday 2/19
        20140805= thursday 2/20
        20140901= friday 2/21

        20140902= monday 2/24
        20140903= tuesday 2/25
        20140904= wednesday 2/26
        20140905= thursday 2/27
        20141001= friday 2/28

        so this is what I found so my cycle date is 20140803 and add 4 business days to that and that should make my DDD. Monday
        2/24

    • Is your transcript blank except for the processing date? Mine is… assuming it’s going to be processed/reviewed on March 10th?? Anyone know?

  7. Update!!! None lol I have no bars says there still processing I already received my state refund about a week ago my date on tt is for tomm my 21 days is friday I’ll check in the morning to see if my refund is approved and is there anyone who can give me any insight on this complicated issue like uf I recieved my state does that mean I’ll get my fed… I have no codes haven’t revieved no emails or..mail saying anyanything just tax topic 152 and last but not least how can I get my state if I paid for it out my federal refund and the federal hasn’t beenaapproved yet. And also I can’t see my transcript either one of them….

    • Same here my 21days is Friday but i didn do my state check yet….but i do kno u can receive ur state check n not gt ur fed check that happened to my boyfriend they froze his fed check n gav him the state but i called this morning n they said its still processing smfh this is really annoying ;(

  8. I filed the 24th of jan and accepted the 28th. as of now my status in WMR has no bars and says its still processing and that they will give you a date. I went to the sbbt webstie and the bank still has not recieved money from the IRS…Whast going on here! Nedd help… Anyone?

  9. Filed on thd 23rd…Accepted on the 28th…Approved on the 15th….DDD for the 20th….I called SSBT and they have my money just got to deduct their fees…..It will be in my account by morning…About time!!!!!

  10. First and Last time using TurboTax!!!! I filed on the 9th, and I never had to wait this long for my refund….I already have my state, but not my Federal!! I do not owe Child Support or anything to the government….I think TurboTax messed up my refund….Going back to Liberty Tax!!!!

    • Its not a Turbo Tax Issue. It doesnt matter what software you used, the delays for anyone accepted prior to 31st or on the 31st have been delayed. FYI every year the IRS does accepts returns early from Efile providers during testing. This yr was just a bad year. 90% of the ones filed early were delayed longer than the ones submitted after the 31st which is not common. 10yr tax prep vet…Sorry

  11. I failed my taxes with someone on 14 or 15 it is now 19 it still says wait 24 hours but it’s been 24 hours and 48 hours when will I be able to know when it goes threw with out checkin on it everyday

  12. Just got the $$$ on netspend!
    Filed & accepted 1/31. DDD of 2/20.
    Irs sent the $$ to SBBT. Sbbt released funds to netspend at 4:15pm central today! thanks so much all of you for support through this WICKED 20 day wait!

  13. Iam so fusterated !!! Talked to someone at IRS who was extremely rude!! Told him it was 21 days & my refund status has not changed .. When he very rudely informed me that my 21 days wld be up on Friday & not to call back till then… Well Friday is in two days what will my message say if it dose chane, Ddd tomorrow ? I don’t think so .. The way things are going I can almost garentee that I won’t have a dd on or before Friday .. Can’t wait to see what his rude ass has to say about my money then..

  14. filed mine through turbo tax on 2/10 said it will be DD on 2/20 checked my status and it still said processing but when i called this am it was in my account. so keep calling dont rely on the wheres my refund status.

  15. I filed my taxes on January 29 2014 and was accepted on February 5 2014 my DDD is February 20 2014, now everybody i know who filed a week or two after me have already recieved their returns with DDDS later than my own, hr block bank hasnt recieved anything nor has tge irs given any information, is there anything i can do except wait, ITS MY MONEY AND I NEED IT NOW!

  16. Called irs filed 29th jan accepted on 31irs says they have already processed my return but no date to deposit! ?? Doesnt make since!!

  17. I Filed on 02/01/14 and got accepted on 02/05/14 and i cant order transcript and im still in return receive!!! What is going on!!! Day 14 🙁

  18. I have a question if TurboTax said my refund date is tomorrow but when I check wmr it says still processing a refund date will be provided when available with no bars should I even listen to turbo taxs I’m so lost right now

  19. So mad still no bars still saying refund date will be provided when available can’t order my transcript and no letter in the mail today it’s been 19 days already hoping tomorrow I see a change what’s going on with the irs this year never had this happen I’m never filing thru TurboTax again

    • Its not turbo tax its the irs ;( cause i filed with free tax usa and todayy make 19days for me to smfh im to the point wer im about to stop worrying about it..

      • That’s how I feel I’m just gone wait intell my 21 days and I’ll call to see what’s going on but when I check my refund date on TurboTax it says the 20th which is tomorrow

    • Hi Ebony,
      The IRS is processing your tax return. TurboTax
      did transmit your tax return. We do not approve your tax refund or issue it.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

      • Hello Lisa. Turbo tax said i should recieve my refund by the 21. Wmr says still processind and a date will be provided when available with no bars. I was able to order both my transcripts. On my account transcript it has the 570 code twice with the date of 3/10/2014. What does all of this really mean? I have heard and read so many different things.

  20. I filed 1/30 and accepted 1/31. Was on 1 bar until feb 15th and was given a date of feb 20th. Really hoping it goes in tonight. Used turbotax. There are MANY people who received their refund who filed well after me. I also got an offset code. I called and said I owed SSA $$. Never received social security in my life. Waiting until I receive my refund to question the offset to prevent further delay!

    • Hi Shannon,
      Sorry about your offset. Please keep in mind the Treasury will automatically offset any money owed and deduct it from your tax refund. The Department of Treasury’s Financial Management Service (FMS) can offset any unpaid federal or government debt against your refund without prior notice. Most commonly, the offset is taken for:

      Past due child support;
      Debts owed to a federal agency;
      Unemployment debts owed to the state;
      Past due federal student loans;
      Unpaid state income tax.

      I just wanted to let you know so you know what to expect.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  21. On the IRS site My status showed that my refund was sent to the bank Feb. 12th . My bank still does not show my refund. I checked my status again on the 18th and it now says in writing only (no status bar) your refund has been received and is being processed with no dates are nothing .I am confused so did they send it to the bank?

    • I have the same issue. IRS said refund was sent to bank 2/12/14 but nothing shows up and now it says been received and is being processed. I could not get an answer as IRS won’t even check it for me. I am just wondering if you found out anything?

  22. How do I order transcripts? I tried and it popped up some letter stating this was verification that I have not filed? Am I doing something wrong?

    • @ Kellie no your not doing anything wrong this just means they have not processed your taxes yet I had the same thing happen to me but mine changed this morning was finally able to see my transcript! Files with HR block on 2/7 and accepted on 2/8 and still on 1 bar on the wmr website! but like i said was able to see my transcript this morning so i hope soon!

    • you are proably referring to the msg after the asterick at the bottom of the page. its on everyones transcript, just ignore it unless you see an asterick next to the year 2013 where you would select your 2013 transcript, which still only means that your return has not been processed yet therefore you can’t order your transcript yet. but if not select account transcript 2013 and look for your cycle and date codes

  23. I filed on the 5th accepted on the 6th approved on15TH with DDD for the 20th so I was wondering did anyone with the same DDD date as me received their refund yet?

  24. Ihave a question my date is today for my check to be mailed in on the where my refund it dont say sent will it still come if it dont say sent or is it a time when it will say plz help?

  25. Filed & Accepted 1/31 with Turbo.
    Got a DDD of 2/20.
    Money is at Sbbt for turbo fees.
    Should be getting it today or tomorrow!
    HOH with Schedule C
    Never messed around with transcripts.

  26. I just read this on another site. Rumor has it there was some sort of glitch on 2/7/14. Thus a lot of returns accepted before that date are having to be redone. I don’t know how true that is. I filed and accepted 1/31 and still nothing no ddd and no transcripts. No letters saying they need more info either. So maybe this is the reason? I guess the good news in that would be there may be no problem . The bad news who knows how long it will take. 🙁

    • I was able to create the profile to view my transcripts online but when I try login in it always pulls up a screen that there was technical issues, but I tried my mother in laws and it goes through and I can view it, anyone else with this issue??? I filed on the 5th and was accepted that same day.

      • I pulled my transcript and it gave me this message for my 2013 taxes—–The “Verification of Non-Filing” letter provides proof from the IRS that you did not file a return for the year you have selected. — Has anyone else experienced this?? I filed electronically and it was accepted on 1-26-14

      • I received that same response. I filed on 2/5 with Turbotax and was accepted the same day where’s my refund progress bar stayed on the 1st bar forever then the bar completely disappear and it was replaced with a message saying they have received my return and it’s in progress and a deposit date will be available soon. So I tried ordering my return and I got the same you did stating that I hadn’t filed my 2013 return which is so untrue IRS and where’s my refund said it was received and in progress, this is truly sad IRS sure do know how to screw people around when they owe you money….

      • I had the same thing happen and I found out I am In review. Guy I spoke too kept emphasizing the word DELAY, literally. Like he was trying to tell me without telling me.

    • Karen,
      I filed and was accepted on the 2nd. I have not been approved, am not able to pull up transcripts and have not been notified of an issue. I can’t think of anything that could be wrong, so I am wondering what is going on! I am starting to freak out! Did Turbo Tax confirm a glitch?

    • Oh no, I filed and received my accepted date both on 2/7 and as of 2/19 (today) its still stuck as accepted and hasn’t changed to approved. UGH! But its already frustrating enough that they started late and now this.

      • I filed on 1/31 it was accepted and acknowledged on 1/31. wheres my refund states my refund is still processing and a refund date will become available when completed. and the status bars on wheres my refund have completely disappeared. wish i knew what is going on people have done their returns after me and have received their refunds already. i have called the IRS and they state they can’t look up my account until 2/21 and they keep advising me to check where my refund or use the mobile app. my refund has been in this same state for almost two weeks now.

  27. Filled on 1/29 accepted 1/30 still in processing. This is very stressful and a lot of people are worried. Wish the IRS could tell us whats going on.

  28. UPDATE- I was able to order my transcripts online this morning! i have a cycle date of 20140803 so i don’t know what this means but i hope its soon filed on 2/7 and accepted on 2/8

  29. Okay so I filed on 2-3-14 got accepted the same day. When I checked WMR I for the last serval days it just says processing. So I decide to call the IRS. I spoke to a rep a come to find out I was selected for review..
    The rep said this is not an audit it’s just I got chosen for review… I told her I never was told to call end or anything on WMR. The rep said that sometimes the WMR doesn’t notify you to call in.. The rep said that if I don’t receive a letter or anything it’s okay.. The also stated if I don’t get my refund by March 13 to call back so all I can do is pray that I get my refund soon. I would suggest that if you been waiting awhile to call the IRS and speak to a live person because each individual has different issues also it will give you a peace of mind.

  30. I have a DDD date of 2/20. I checked that Santa Barbara Bank website and it’s saying they received my refund on 2/19 and sent it to my bank Bank of America also on 2/19. Problem is my refund amount is $400 short with no explanation. My Turbo Tax fees certainly weren’t $400 and I don’t understand why the IRS accepted and approved my refund for a certain amount then gave me a different amount. Makes no sense. Shouldn’t they have rejected my refund if they weren’t going to give me the amount Turbo Tax said I was going to get? I guess the balls in Bank of America’s court now which sucks because Bank of America deposits can take 1 day or up to 4. Nothing is certain in this world cept death and taxes. Bank of America should be added to that list, ha =P

  31. I Think I Went Threw TurboTax On Febuary 6th, and I Got Accepted Febuary 20th, I Recieved My Net Spend Card On Thursday, And Was Told I Should Expect My Refund By The 27th, But On The Irs I’m Still On The First Bar.

    I Know Someone Who filed her Taxes On The Febuary 3rd, and She Got Her Paper Check In The Mail On Febuary 14th Like The Irs Said.

    Like This Is Crazy , I Thought Direct Deposit Was Faster.

  32. I did the live chat withh&r block likesomeone said and they said my return date is 2/23 but irs says still processing. I don’t see how this is possible but I guess we will see.

    • I agree with you Gametime, i chatted a few mins ago. They told me the 2-24 but irs says processing. I hope they are telling the truth, in a way it makes since. My 21st day is friday, they mail it out friday, i get it monday. FINGERS CROSSED

  33. I filed 2/1/14 and got accepted the same day. Bars disappeared on 2/7 no DDD still saying processing a diredt deposit date will be given when available. My 21 days will be on the 21st which if Friday. Hoping to get some information before then if not I will be calling the IRS on Friday morning. I have never had this to happen to me.

    • To all the poeple that are still waiting have faith I was accepted on the 24 and was on processing up until sat the 15th and got a date of 2/20 and I ordered my transcripts a week prior by friday the 14th my bars was gone and only the message that a date will be provided when I woke up that saturday my dd was there. Now today I checked the SBBT website and they have my funds and I may get it today but if not then for sure tomrrow!! WTBS hold on they are going slow I was calling them everyday and the lady said they are doing them in batches it has nothing to do with when u filed because some people that filed after me already had recived theres and I was still waiting until last wekend the 15th. 🙂

  34. I am having the same problems. But this am my whole bar thing on WMR isn’t there. What is the number to where I can call and talk with someone? Help!!!

  35. i am very confused here, i filed through turbotax on jan. 27th . got accepted on the 29th. and turbotax site says it is approved and i should reciveve my direct deposit by the 21st but the wheres my refund still says processing ? this is also my first time filing what should i do from here ??

    • Hi Nick,
      Please keep checking the IRS Where’s My Refund tool since they are still processing your tax return.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  36. I filed 2/6, accepted 2/8, and I still have no word on when I will have a DD. The site WMR site says it is still processing. All of my family (parents and siblings) have alread received their deposits. 🙁

  37. This is sad. My friend filed same day as my son. She used my laptop since she doesn’t have a computer at home. Her’s is still pending and she used Turbo Tax. My son and daughter used HR Block site and they will have their money in acct this thursday! I filed mine using HR Block site on 1/27 and got my refund on 8th! I was shocked to see it hit my account on a Saturday (ETA was 10th!)

    I don’t get why Turbo Tax is not as quick as HR Block! What is up with that? Glad I didn’t use Turbo Tax! 🙁

    Could it be a glitch of some sort?

  38. Update!!!! cant order return transcript and its still on return receive!!! I filed on 02/01 and got accepted on 02/05!!!! Day 14. 🙁

    • madelin I just checked mine and it is now allowing me to get my transcript online, I printed it and everything. . earlier today I checked and it still had a * beside 2013* . . when I pulled it up tonight it had no * on it. Yay! I too was accepted on Feb 5th, still nothing. hopefully this is a good sign. this has to mean they are working on it.

    • Oh and I was on day 23 according to Turbo tax saying I was accepted on the 24th but when I spoke to the irs rep mines wasn’t actually accepted until the 28th so it was 19days until I got a DD.

  39. I contacted h&r block live chat and asked them to look into my return and they said I got accepted on 2/8 and that they don’t see and hold up on my return and said that they see a date of 3/2 that I should have my money on or before that date! and that makes it 23 days! So i asked them if this was just a standard date or just for my return and they said just for mine! So i don’t know where there getting that date since i am still on 1 bar on the wmr website!

    • 1-800-829-1040 press 1 then press 2 then dont press anything and it will automatically send you to an operator and you will have to tell them you want to speak to someone in “individual accounts”….hope this helpz

  40. Filed and accepted on Feb. 2nd. Got a letter in the mail today stating that some additional processing had to be done on my return; therefore, the IRS is not able to honor my request for direct deposit and would be sending a check instead. The letter says I should receive a refund check in the mail in 3-4 weeks. It also stated that I can call if I had questions, which I did. Although the message says please continue to hold and representative will answer, I have been holding on the phone for almost an hour and still no representative. VERY FRUSTRATED RIGT NOW!

  41. I’ve lost my bar status irs still says processing. Tax act says I was received and approved has anyone else experienced this? Is was 21 days today.
    Thanks

  42. Well I spoke to the IRS today and was informed that they are randomly picking tax files and reviewing them. My file was one of them, and I file the same way every year for the past 10 years. s So I don’t know what is going on.

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