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 filed 1/17, got accepted 1/28. I can view my transcripts online but still only have 1 bar (received). Can you get your approval on a weekend? Meaning will I get it tomorrow? please helppp!

  2. People keep saying “order transcripts”. I was able to view mine on irs.gov, does this mean I will get a dd date soon?( I didn’t have to order anything) Also does anyone know if the IRS will give out dd dates on weekends? Fingers Crossed

  3. I filed Jan 30 late in the evening and both my federal and state returns were accepted by 9:00 am Jan 31 – within 24 hrs the IRS tool updated to processing but has not moved since. I’m fairly patient, however in years past it took no more than a day or two to get a DDD. It’s been a week already! I think many of us would be more at ease if we at least knew what was going on when many others file after us and have already received their refunds.

    Status:
    MFJ
    3 children
    Self Employed

  4. The bank TurboTax uses is showing received my refund and says the balance was sent to my back however my bank is not seeing. ..how long before its really sent? My banker said there is nothing in pending

  5. Same with me DK… I have a ddd of 2/10 but got my refund this afternoon . I am extremely happy … I only found out because I activated my netspnd card and the $ was there . The wmr still only shows two bars … Not updated at all .

  6. Hello everyone. My tax return was accepted on Jan 28th and still shows processing on the where’s my refund website. I got very concerned because other people who’s tax refund was accepted after me already has their funds direct deposited. I called the IRS today and was transferred to a customer service rep who verified with me that me refund has been processed and will be direct deposited to my bank account on Feb 12th. It seems as the where’s my refund system is backed up or is having issues and is not updating people with the correct information.

  7. What number has someone used and got a live person on the phone. Every number I have leads me to an automated system. I filed on the 26 and turbo says it was received on the 29. Wmr shows nothing, not even that its been received. Ugh.

  8. Anyone with similar circumstances who can provide info on DD?
    owe from 2013 (2012 tax year) appx $900, will be deducted from my refund and then refund will be deposited like normal, not sure of delay time, if any

    Filed 2/4/14
    Rejected 2/5/14
    Fixed error: Refiled 2/6/14
    Accepted: 2/6/14
    Transcript not available as of 3:40pm PST
    2/7/14

  9. Irs receive my tax on 1/32/14 still shows one bar,today I was able to request my transcript. So that means I shouldr rreceive my refund?

    • Filed and got accepted on.January 31,still no DD but today I was able to order my transcript. Can someone tell me what that means.

  10. ok ? I see a lot of you saying stuff about transcript now I was received on January 20th and still nothing now when I request a transcript what exzactly am I looking for

  11. whats happens if my refund was sent to my bank but my account had been close how long would I have to wait for a paper check

  12. I filed on Jan.10th was accepted on Jan. 24th with only one bar on received. Can’t order any transcripts and no ddd either. This is crazy to not know what’s going on and seeing that others after me have a ddd or a refund already. Irs needs to get it together.

  13. Does everyone get that Topic 152 notice. Filed Feb 1st and still on processing. I know this is a general information tool. Just curious if this is on everyone’s status? Will they notify me on there if my return is being reviewed?

  14. Filed and got accepted on 1/31/14. On 2/5/14 I received a ddd of 2/10/14. Received my deposit today on 2/7/14 around 4:00 p.m. WMR site still does not reflect that the refund was sent. Hope this helps!

    • I’m so worried. Filed & accepted on 1/31/14. Still on one bar with NO DDD. 🙁 🙁 Last year I filed and accepted Feb. 1st, got it on the 10th which was a sunday.

      • more than likely being audited…they usually send a letter for more information, some times its just something you can call and provide, or you may need to send it in. if thats the case, who ever did your taxes can help you. Good luck

    • I saw my deposit in the santa barbara bank on friday the 7th my dd is the 10th. I guess because I have a walmart money card I have to wait til monday for the deposit. Does anyone else have a walmart money card and have you gotten your deposit this weekend?

      • I have a different type of card and the irs says they will send it by the tenth. I guess we will both have to wait and see what happens, because if the website only updates once a day and our deposit date is the tenth, Im starting to think that our refunds will show up before the website catches up. From what I understand, the updates are done overnight-how can they have my refund to my bank by the tenth if the ninth is on a sunday and as of today, it has yet to be sent? Good luck to all of us.

      • I also have a ddd of 2/10. Turbo tax was free for me so I dont have any fees taken out so it doesn’t have to go thru ssb. Im using a Wal-Mart money card also and mine hasn’t been deposited yet either. Guess it’ll be tomorrow. I have seen a lot of people who already have received theirs.

      • I have a Walmart Money Card and I have a DDD of 2/12. I will reply on here when it is recieved. ahhuh83 was yours on your card today?

  15. I filed 2/1/14 don’t owe any thing called the offset number I have no debts so now its 2/7/14 and all I have is one bar anyone filed 2/1/14 in the same boat. What going on

  16. so i’m still at accepted bar, but no DD date..Has anyone gotten a return without the where’s my refund status being updated???

  17. Okay has anyone else had this issue. I was supposed to get my refund on 2/6 but it never showed up. On 2/7 at 12am on the wmr site it changed my status to Return sent and when I woke up, my refund still was not there. Now when I log on to wmr it says “There is a delay in processing your tax return and your expected refund date may have changed.
    If you have questions or need additional information, please have the following on hand when you call:
    A copy of this page.
    A copy of your tax return.
    The Social Security Number, Filing Status, and refund amount claimed on your return.
    Any notice that you have received concerning your refund.
    Please mention reference number 1121 to the IRS Customer Service Representative.” I called them to see what’s going on and of course my questions weren’t answered. Why would it go from refund sent to this? I’m just confused and now worry I won’t get my return.

  18. Idk what’s really going on but my sister e-filed Jan 30 accepted next morning, yesterday got a dd of 2/10. She received her card provided by Tax act today, called it and her refund was on there. On IRS2Go it still showing refund approved it doesn’t say sent yet.

    • I filed mine on feb 3 accepted same day transcript wsnt availible yesterday but to day it was but website only shows 1 bar i called irs and they said the bar is wrong and my date is feb 12 . They said if u got dd add 10 days to the date ur efile was accepted and thatd b ur dd date but if no dd could take 21 days

    • I had part of my refund put on my money card and it isn’t there but the other part is in my checking account..next year I will not put it on a Walmart card..takes too long

      • Oh no! I’m having mine deposited to a Walmart Money card…I know now not to ever do that again. I guess I won’t get mine 2/12 when they said I would.

  19. All I know is it said I was to get DD on Feb 6 and it hasnt happened. The website now says there is a delay. I called the irs and they said the feb 6th was a mistake. A glitch in the system

    • if you can order a transcript that means the irs has processed your return, a transcript is just a copyof your return summary.

  20. Filed on jan.20. Got accepted still saying processing.but i dont have direct deposit going to pick it up from my tax preparer.. don’t know whats going on.its already the 7th. Could it be its still processing because im not getting it dirext deposit

  21. Sorry if this gets posted twice… but.. if i order my transcripts is it true i will get a date soon? ive seen some yes and some no. I ORdered them today. Accepted on 29th. still have one bar on WMR

  22. Anyone who received sent to bank from santa Barbara bank, how long did it take it to post to your bank account. I know it varies by bank just want an estimate of if it will be today(same day) tomorrow or Monday

    • @ abonnneu, This is third year using Santa Barbara Bank, Last year I had them direct deposit my funds onto a Walmart prepaid card. My DD date was for a Tuesday, however, my direct deposit posted to the walmart card on a Saturday morning. The following year, I had them direct deposit my funds into my chase account, it came in the Santa Barbara bank on a Friday Morning and it was posted to my chase account the same. Hope this helps.

      • @ abonnneu, corrections the first year I had it going to the walmart card the deposit posted three days early, due to receive tuesday of following week, but received it on a Saturday morning, so, I received it early that year. Second year, the day it arrived at SBBT on a friday morning, it posted to my chase account the same day SBBT received.

    • By “order” you mean able to see the transcript right? It will either say there is no record for 2013 with an ” * ” next to the year or it will give an actual summary.

      Filed Jan 19th
      Received by IRS Jan 26

      Still no progress.

      W2, with home business, head of household, and 1 dependent

  23. My friend who filed Single under $1500 k refund got theirs quickly. I’m wondering if those who filed HOH are taking longer? I’m just anxious? Will the IRS call me if I’m being audited or is there a notice on the IRS where’s my refund link? Help!!!

  24. Ok very confused, I was accepted on Jan. 31st in the evening so on the status bar I am at accepted still.. nothing for this whole week, I don’t have an offset. Have not received my state either and can not order transcripts because there is an internal issue on irs web.site is this happening to anyone else?

  25. is this transcript ordering thing really true?
    I piggy-backed everyone else, and ordered my transcripts. IRS app says I should receive them in 5-10 days….so I’m assuming this is Good news?
    I’ve been on the RETURNS RECEIVED bar since I was accepted on 2/1.
    #fingerscrossed

  26. Is it true that if you are able to request refund transcripts your refunds have been processed already? And you should have DDD soon?

  27. I filed on the 31 n was accepted the same day. I got mines dd to my netspend card. Anyone if here received a dd to their netspend yet?

  28. I did my e-file on 1/31 still on one bar and no ddd yet . I know some people who did theres on 2/1 and got a direct deposit date for 2/15 .I pray I get mines soon my daughter bday soon

  29. Anyone have a problem with the wheres my refund website stating that info in unavaiable? I filed 2/2/14 and I checeked the website today and it still states that info in unavaiable and sayingthey have not recieved my tax info. HElP!!! I am getting do fusterated.

  30. I hope things start moving soon the irs is so slow its never been this long of a wait they could atleast let people know something…filed and accepted on the 31st…hope everyone hears good news soon

  31. I filed on 1/25 accepted on 1/28 and nothing yet…very frustrating…I hear of people that just filed a day or two ago and already have a deposit date for their refund…..Obviously it has nothing to do with when you file..something must be wrong with some batches of returns….

    • I don’t understand how the returns are working either. I filed mine through turbotax and got accepted on the 28th and it still hasn’t even been processes. My sister filed hers the day after me through taxact and received her tax refund today. Same thing happened last year so I think I am going to try another tax preparer other than turbotax next year.

    • I completely agree. We filed on Jan. 24th, it was received on Jan 28th, and it is still in processing on both the website and over the phone. However, people I know that just filed less than a week ago have already received theirs.

    • It means that your return is finished processing and you should get a date very soon. I was able to order transcripts late Wednesday and finally got a dd Thursday morning. It is good news!

      • Thanks a bunch that really calmed my nerves! I thought something was going wrong,so do u thank it will update with a dd by 12 am tonight or tomorrow rather?

      • I got my dd the next morning around 6am…could be sooner though. If it isnt updated with a dd tomorrow morning dont worry. It should for sure be within the next couple of days. Keep us posted!

      • I don’t see a refund transcript on irs2go it only show for account transcript or return no matter what year I put in

      • What time did you receive a DD it’s 12:23 am and still no DD it’s still saying processing but I was able to order my transcript yesterday 2/7 finally

      • Hey! Great news! I know someone else that ordered their transcripts yesterday and they just received a date today of 2/12!!! Check again! It is 5:10 est. Good luck and let me know! Also I was given the date of the 10th and I just called my bank and it is already there!! I use NBT. Let us know. ~ Helen

      • Me too. I ordered my transcripts yesterday and received a DDD today. It’s seems surreal. So I will have to wait til 2/12 to confirm if its for real

  32. My status on where’s my refund, says that “A refund date will be provided when available”.
    What does this mean did any one else see that before it said refund approved?

  33. Just a heads up to everyone, the IRS is a day behind, so if you expected refund yesterday, the 6th, you will likely see yours today bar any delays in the actual filing like errors or something similar. My son received his first thing this morning and was very happy 🙂 Good luck everyone, be blessed!

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