Where’s My Tax Refund?

Read the Article

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. So..I did some research….I efiled with Turbo Tax and my expected refund is was schedule for 2/6/14 which is today. As of this evening I still have not gotten it yet. I did not pay for my fees of front, instead I chose for Turbo Tax to take my fees from my refund. So, here’s the break down. The IRS send my refund to Santa Barbara Bank, Santa Barbara gets my refund then takes out the fees, Then Santa Barbara does the direct Deposit into my bank. If this is what you chose to do then you can use this link to check the status. cisc.sbtpg.com On the home page there is a place that says Taxpayers and this is where you enter you filing status, social security number and amount of refund. This will thengive you the details as to wether they got your refund from the IRS or not. According to the IRS page mine still shows that my refund is schedule for Direct Deposit on 2/6/14 but does not show that it was sent….That is wrong. They have not updated this page. According to Santa Barbara yes, they have recieved it. It shows the amount they go and everything…so check it out. Good Luck!

  2. I just was told on the wmr site I had used up all my checks for the day !! I am sick of this, I want my money !!!!!

  3. Filed on 1/31 and rejected on 2/2, fixed and accepted the same day. Transcripts available on 2/5 and finally received my DD date on 2/6 for 2/10. I hope funds will be available Monday!!

  4. i got accepted 2/4 got a ddd of 2/6 still nothing called 18779087228 they said people expectinq refunds on 2/6 will qet them 2/7 i was a lil upset today im a first time car buyer i thouqht i was qoinq to be pushinq wheels today lol good luck for all of us tomorrow #finqers crossed .

  5. i got accepted 2/4 got a ddd of 2/6 still nothing called 18779087228 they said people expectinq refunds on 2/6 will qet them 2/7 i was a lil upset today im a first time car buyer i thouqht i was qoinq to be pushinq wheels today lol good luck for all of us tomorrow #finqers crossed

  6. I just got word from the place I filed my taxes at and it states that it has now been deposited. The IRS website and IRS phone number to check the status of your refund is gliching so it will not show a status change. So my advice call the place in which you filed with and ask them if they have heard.

    • As far as I know, I don’t think you can dd into someone else’s acct unless you’re on it as well & the irs/bank will reject it if the ss# doesn’t match.

      • You can direct deposit to any account that you want. My sister has hers sent to mine, and I know several other people who have their’s sent to other people. Never had a problem with it.

      • For the past 3 years my boys has DD into my account. The irs doesn’t care, my adult children are not on my account. I hope this help.

      • what news was that? First time this year that this is taking so long. It was accepted on 1/28, here it is almost 1 1/2 weeks later and still not approved.. wonder if it has to do with the delay this year. last year it was a very quick process.

Leave a Reply