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. My state was approved already but nothing with my federal. It’s still stuck on accepted and I filled mines on the 31st. I wonder what’s going on? If anyone knows plz reply to this msg! Thanks

  2. I filed on 1/21/14 and the IRS confirmed receipt on 1/28/14. Today is 2/7/14 and the IRS still shows as processing. How long before this changes to “approved”? I’m getting concerned….

  3. mine was accepted on the 27th still only at received. many of my colleagues filed afyer and have their refunds. so disappointing#

  4. Ok I was just able to order my transcript for this year so that means they have it processed but not has changed with the wmr website or the 800.number think we are moving along people

      • I was saying that since you ordered transcripts today, a dd should be there in the morning. Same thing happened to me and others. If not tomorrow then no later than a couple of days. Keep us posted:) I know someone else who ordered his today, i will let you know if he gets a date.

    • Me tooo wasn’t able to order them yesterday was locked out the system unitl 3pm today I can try again but I called the 1-800 and was finally able to order them wasn’t able to do that yesterdayyy!!! Was accepted 1/25/14 soo hopefully like @ jason said we get some update tonight or saturday nightttt!!! I promise I willl update my progress.

    • Same with me. I can order my transcripts but my wmr bar has not changed. So hopefully it will move to accepted with a date tomorrow.

      • That just means that is how long it takes for the transcripts..you should get a dd tomorrow! Keep us posted.

      • To be honest with you I dont know. The good thing is that you ordered your transcripts and so your refund should be available in your account within days. Relax:)

  5. Has anyone owe a debt and checked the status of Your refund and refund amount it said that u was approved for the amount that you put in for but Received a lower Amount than expected because u owe a debt?

  6. My refund was accepted on 2/3 and I still have a recieved bar does anybody have a DDD if they filed on the 2/3 someone please help me

  7. i used jakson hewitt and said i was supposed to recieve dd 2-6. today it said sent to bank but bank does not have it how long before they get it

  8. E-filed Tax return on 1/14 accepted on 1/26, WMR site accepted but nothing after that, I see alot of people with the same problem, being computerized you would think we could get actual information about our returns, besides check again in 24hrs…

  9. Filed on jan 24th accepted on jan 28th DD date of feb 6 then heard they were a day behind so expect it on the 7th. Checked at 2am n it said my return was sent but its not in the bank…checked this morning at 630am n it was giving me an error msg saying there was problem and to call irs. I called n lady told me tht they are holding my return because it was processed to quickly n now I have no DD date! So all she could tell me was tht I need to check once a day to see if I hav a date. When I see a date tht is when I will get my return! Ughhhh 🙁

    • That same thing happened to me! I had a date of the 6th with no $$. So I called on the 7th and spoke to a rep @ the IRS. She told me there was a delay and that if I didn’t rec’d $$ within 21 days to call back! Very Frustrated. I’ve never had an issue until now.

  10. Hello, I am in the same boat getting very aggervated and I have been calling irs everyday I was accepted on the 25th and it’s now the 7th. I told the lady at irs I am going to start calling them everyday with J.G Wentworth song in the background lol!!!! It’s my money and I need it NOW!

    Reply

  11. Mine is still on the received bar. It’s been there since I filed on the 24th. I’m getting pissed. Who do you call to talk to a live person????

    • Calling them won’t help unless its been over 21 days. I’m in the same boat as you are, playing the impatient waiting game

    • Hello, I am in the same boat getting very aggervated and I have been calling irs everyday I was accepted on the 25th and it’s now the 7th. I told the lady at irs I am going to start calling them everyday with J.G Wentworth song in the background lol!!!! It’s my money and I need it NOW!

    • I know, it is VERY frustrating. I know people who filed and got accepted after me that’s gotten a DD. I’m just curious about how they process. Does anyone know?

  12. Mine is still on the received bar. It’s been there since I filed on the 24th. I’m getting pissed. Who do you call to talk to a live person????

  13. TO all who got the IRS “Where’s My Refund” meter to go all the way to “REFUND SENT” mine did the same thing February 6, 2014 and it deposited into my account at 4:00 AM February 7, 2014. So as soon as your meter changes to “REFUND SENT” and it tells you when it was sent, then wait a day, normally it deposits the next day……. 🙂

  14. Its really amazing that depending on what IRS rep you talk to on the phone determines what answers you get…I called yesterday 3 times and got 3 different answers…

  15. I filed via turbo tax on 1/25/14 .accepted by IRS on 1/28/14 still shows processing. I just dont get it. Friends and co workers filed same time or later than me and some have not only processed but a lot have already received their direct deposit. Makes no sense other than there must be a glitch.

  16. I filed my taxes on 01/30/14 using turbotax and they were accepted on 01/31/14. I check wmr every day and it still has one orange bar! ugh My friend filed through H&R block on 01/31/14 and received her ddd yesterday!

  17. I filed on jan 23 and accepted on jan. 28. It is still saying “received” on the WMR website. I received my state today. Does that mean my federal will be approved soon? I have tried to call the irs but can’t seem to get a live person just automated options. Is their a specific way to get ahold of someone?

    • Albert505
      Check that Santa barbara bank mine posted to there account but not to my bank yet I was not expecting it til monday so hopefully it post sometime today to my account

      • very nice ahhuh83, i am going to check santa barbara now cause i check the irs page and nothing has change, let me check the santa barbara bank.

      • cool ahhuh83 I just check their bank and they did got the refund today got their fees out and sent the money to my bank, now lets wait for the transaction jajaja 🙂

      • What! OMG my ddd was 2/10/14 as well but there is nothing direct deposited to my accont yet and orange bar is still on refund approved. Should I expect to get my refund before Monday as well?

      • What site are you using? I’ve been trying to get my status I use the irs2go app & went online but keeps saying sane thing I was accepted on Feb 3 my state has been approved & when I check my hrblock app both state & federal keeps saying accepted but was able to order my transcript?

      • Kelly

        I’m in the same boat you are I was able to order my transcript, which means they have been processed we just have to wait for the system to update. I’m thinking tomorrow or Sunday you should have a DDD.

      • Santa Barbara Bank received my return today and shows they processed it today. When can i expect my refund in my Bank of America checking account?

    • No haven’t got the sent bar,but I checked
      the bank where they take out the fees and it says it’s been sent to my bank,I also heard the bar does change til u actually recieve your refund,that’s what I have read

    • I have not made it to the sent bar yet. I had my refund split into two different accounts. One of my accounts the money is there pending but I cannot retrieve it until the 10th. THis is my credit union account My other account I called today and they do not have the other money pending yet. She said it may be in bank by in the morning. I hope so.

    • It was for 2/10 but now no bar even shows. It says they have not received anything online. But when call on phone it says dd is still 2/10 and have until 2/15 for it to reach a walmart card. Nothing yet.

  18. I filed on jan 27 and got accepted on jan 28 ive been checking the irs site to track my refund everyday and it still saying being process I haven’t got a date yet

  19. I just checked the IRS website and the bar has moved to sent. The wording also changed from you direct deposit will be sent to your bank by Fevruary 6 to your direct deposit has been sent to your bank. My credit union doesn’t update until between 6 am and 8 am so we will see.

    Has anybody else’s changed too wording and bar on the irs website that was supposed to get there deposit yesterday and didn’t?

    • If everything is correct with your direct deposit info, you should get it TODAY! Keep checking…..Mine hit around 4:00 AM right after my normal check from my job hit, so I got two hits at like 4:00 which is awesome…

  20. My dd was scheduled to hit the 2/6 the irs said it has been sent but it is 4:39 am va time no deposit does anyone no ways going on?

  21. So u read yesterday thatctax returns were delayed i got all 3 bars and it said there was a cide 1121 but it says accoeted apprived sent. Does this just mean i am getting audited or the dekay of oayment for today

  22. I filed mine on the 24th of January, it was accepted, checked the IRS website, it said REFUND SENT on February 6, 2014. I called my bank and nothing is pending. I am wondering if it will be deposited tomorrow or Saturday or if I will have to wait until Monday. Has anyone else had this issue using TurboTax? When checking the IRS website it says REFUND SENT February 6, 2014. So should I wait to see if anything comes February 7, 2014 or February 8, 2014 or should I call someone? I think I should wait…

    • Good for you. Mine was accepted in January 24 and still processing right now and I have a basic refund. Single no dependent or deduction.

  23. IRS2GO says my refund is scheduled to be sent to my bank by February 10 th. It says “by” the 10th. Where is everyone getting exact DD dates? “By” seems to imply between now and 10th.

  24. My tax person submitted my paper to IRS on January 30th, no it sure what software she using. However IRS2GO still has not moved, showing received. I requested for direct deposit to my Nestled card. Never had an issue of receiving my $$ within 10days.

  25. I just checked IRS2GO and it says my refund was sent. Checked my bank account nothing there yet. Waiting till about 6am est to check bank again to see if it went threw. Heres to hoping.
    I will keep you all up dated. I hope everyone has a goid night

    • Mine finally says sent to your bank and the EPS financial my tax preparer uses to collect fees sent my portion on 2/6 around 4 pm so hopefully I should have it tomorrow since the irs updated their system to refund sent

  26. It says my dd would be 2/6 and I still never got it. It’s now it’s 2/7 and the wmr site says refund sent but still nothing 🙁 I got the netspending account and from my understanding its supposed to go in right when they get the deposit. Is anyone else having this issue?

  27. Just noticed on my 1040a line 43c where it asks of the account your DD is going into is checking or savings i put savings when its a checking account will this have any negative effects on my return? BTW i was accepted 2/27 and still on the first bar on WMR.

  28. Hey guys. I checked the irs and myy dd for feb. 6 finally was sent to my bank. The irs must have sent it around 12am est. I have checked my account and its not there yet. Ill keep everyone posted.

    • Just checked wmr days dd was sent however i checked my card still not there . Dd usually happen between 5am & 6 so im qoinq to sleep now will keep you quys posted GOODLUCK EVERYONE

  29. I’m using the walmart money card.. is anyone else using this option? This is first time I’ve done this and was supposed to receive it today but read the notice that says I’ll receive it tomorrow.. hope it works out. Was wondering if anyone else is using the walmart money card option and if they are having any problems or success and let me know so I feel a little better haha. Will check back in the morning.

    • I used the same thing, the IRS site says it was sent yesterday the 6th, BT I have yet to receive mine. Have you gotten yours yet?

  30. Still no progress in im wmr still stuck on 1st bar, i was accepted 2/28 and i know one person who filed after me and got their refund today….. i would much rather the irs say that 21 days is the minimum wait time for approvals and be surprised if i get it sooner, rather being killed softly by anxiety on waiting to be approved earlier. #877irsgivememycashnow #itsmymoneyandiwantitnow!

  31. I filed with h & r block and my refund is scheduled to go onto my emerald card, does that make a difference on when I will get my refund

  32. Hey everyone.. seems like im the only person but did anybody elect to get a paper check? if so is that why my information doesnt show up on the santa barbara tax page?? please any advice helps!!

  33. If you have a DDD of 2/10 is it possible to be deposited over the weekend. I used H&R Block I have used them for years just wondering if it is possible to get it earlier than the DDD??

  34. On the WMR site my deposit says the 10th but when I check my account it shows the deposit pending already. I hope it becomes available before the 10th.

Leave a Reply