Where’s My Tax Refund?

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  • Published Jan 31, 2014 - [Updated Sep 7, 2017]
  • 3 min read

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-file – Once 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.

Lisa Greene-Lewis
Lisa Greene-Lewis

Written by Lisa Greene-Lewis

Lisa has over 20 years of experience in tax preparation. Her success is attributed to being able to interpret tax laws and help clients better understand them. She has held positions as a public auditor, controller, and operations manager. Lisa has appeared on the Steve Harvey Show, the Ellen Show, and major news broadcast to break down tax laws and help taxpayers understand what tax laws mean to them. For Lisa, getting timely and accurate information out to taxpayers to help them keep more of their money is paramount. More from Lisa Greene-Lewis

Follow Lisa Greene-Lewis on Twitter.

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

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  2. The irs webpage said mine was scheduled 2 b here 2day & it nvr came so I got on their banks website & it said it was sent after the fees were taken out when I checked the irs website it still says its scheduled 4 2day still haven’t gotten it at all I even called my bank & they said they’re not even showing a pending deposit 4 my return what is the deal with TurboTax holding ppls money this yr?!? So now when will I get it since it wasn’t here 2day???

    Reply

    • I just received news from the place I filed at that said mine has now been deposited. The IRS website and call number is gliching so it doesnt say that its been deposited just that it was to be today. But the place I filed at says it was so I am good with that! Call whom ever you filed with they should know what the status is with yours!

      Reply

    • Tabatha, turbo tax doesnt hold people’s money. If you read the other posts, Santa Barbara bank said IRS deposit is delayed by one day. if your direct deposit is today, it will be tomorrow apparently. the irs website clearly states to please allow 21 days for processing, why is everyone trying to micromanage this pricess? no wonder the websites are locked up and down. we all need to be patient.

      Reply

      • People are hurting, and some of us really need our refund to catch up on bills, live, and so on. Lots of others are coming on her criticizing people, but wondering why if you or anyone else is not concerned, why are you here posting?

      • This comment is not based upon impatience but instead for concern. Last year, i was able to get approved within a week. It has already been a week and no sign of progress. Is this possibly related to the tax delay this year?

    • If you had the fees deducted out of your refund, then it goes to their bank before it goes to yours. The Santa Barbara bank will send it to your account immediately after deducting the payment. Sometimes that adds an extra day. It should post by Monday. (I’m in the same boat)

      Reply

      • Mine has been sent to my bank from Santa Barbara bank, but the status on the irs site never highlighted the “sent” portion. I would recommend checking sbtpg.com rather than the irs site first.

    • I agree! It seems like it was much quicker last year. For some of us, it’s not a luxury to get the refund, it’s a necessity to pay bills, sadly.

      Reply

    • I understand that, I am in the same boat; but it clearly states on the IRS website to allow 21 days for refunds to process and post. It seems as though people are getting bent out of shape if they haven’t seen an update a week after filing. Do you realize how many returns are being processed presently? I just think people need to be patient. It would be different if it was after the 21 day point. That is all I am saying. If you google irs tax refund schedule for 2014 it will give you an estimated deposit date.

      Reply

  4. I called and they got my Irs deposit and sent mine to my bank both today I haven’t got it yet but the rep from turbo( tax product) stated you could see it 24-48 hours after they send it. I have use h& r in the past and get it the same day. A little disappointed.

    Reply

  5. Well…..I should have a seat the way you guys talking…I e-filed FEB 3 via TAXACT I was accepted the same day….banks is REPUBLIC BANK…..

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  6. Go to Santa Barbara banking and it tells you if they have received your money from irs. Shows they have for me and already sent it

    Reply

    • yes every1 who money said deposit day feb 6th the sbbt website said it will be in on the 7th whoever used net spent its called santa babara tax group who has our money already from irs

      Reply

  7. My brother and myself filed our taxes together on 1/26 and were both accepted within a day of each other but his got approved and sent by 2/6 and mine hasn’t even been approved yet. Could it be because I had mine direct deposited to his account and my name is not on the account? Or can I be getting audited?

    Reply

    • Your name has to be on the account that you want the DD to go to otherwise the bank will not accept the DD. The IRS probably won’t try to DD it either

      Reply

      • For the past 3 years my children have deposited their refund into my account. Their name is not on the account, Never had a problem with it.

    • @Michelle…I deposit mine into my parent’s account every year (except for this year because I opened my own account) and my name is not on their account what so ever and they always deposit it into their account. Never had a problem. Also…FILED 2/5/2014 ACCEPTED 2/8/2014…now just a waiting game. Good Luck all!

      Reply

  8. Update!!!! I was scheduled for my refund today but it did not hit my bank account until after 2pm….. Meaning funds not available until tomorrow… They kept there word we were all just expecting it this morning.

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  9. I did my taxes at h&r block on the 1st of Feb got email saying IRS accpected it on 3rd but website down still showing accpected then get on Harbin block site & said it was accpeted today?

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  10. accidentally entered wrong income and therefore wrong withholdings. i hoped IRS would fix but am told that they will still send my refund and I will be responsible to fix via forms as they won’t recieve my W2’s for months. Is this true

    Reply

    • YES THAT IS TRUE. IT TAKES ABOUT 6 MONTHS+ FOR THEM TO RECIEVE THAT INFO AND THEN THEY WILL SEND YOU A LETTER WITH THE DIFF YOU OWE UNLESS THEY OWE YOU….IN WHICH THAT CASE THEY WILL NEVER CONTACT YOU. IF YOUR TAXES ARETOTALLY SCREWED UP THEY MAY ASK YOU TO FILE AN AMMENDMENT. i HAVE HAD IT DONE BOTH WAYS. IT USUALLY TAKES THEM WELL OVER 6 MONTHS TO CATCH UP AND CONTACT YOU THOUGH.

      Reply
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