Tax Refunds

Where’s My Tax Refund? How to Check Your Refund Status

Written by TurboTaxLisa
Published Feb 12, 2024 - [Updated Mar 30, 2024]
4 min read

The average direct deposit tax refund was close to $3,100 last tax season, and with tax season well underway, it’s no surprise that the most common tax season-related question we’re now hearing is: “Where’s my refund?”

The time it takes the IRS to process your tax refund is based on how you chose to file your tax return – either e-file or by mail.

E-filed tax returns with direct deposit: E-file with direct deposit is the fastest way to get your federal tax refund. Typically, the IRS expects to issue most tax refunds within 21 days after acceptance if there are no issues.
Mailed paper returns: Avoiding a paper return is more important than ever to avoid refund delays, if possible. The IRS cautions if you need your refund quickly do not file on paper. Usually, the IRS says to allow 4 weeks before checking the status of your refund, and that refund processing can take 6 to 8 weeks from the date the IRS receives your return.

Close-up of a man taking a picture of a paper check to upload to the bank.

Tax Refund Processing

Start checking status 24 – 48 hours after e-file: Once you have e-filed your tax return, you can check your status using the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool. You will need your Social security number or ITIN, your filing status, and your exact refund amount.
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 need the following information when checking refund status: Social security number or ITIN, your filing status, and your exact federal tax refund amount shown on the tax return. You will not see a tax refund date until the IRS finishes processing your tax return and approves your tax refund.
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.” The change in status can take a few days, and a tax refund date will not be provided in Where’s My Refund? until your tax return is processed and your tax refund is approved.
Where’s My Refund? tool shows refund date: The IRS will provide a personalized refund date once your status moves to “Refund Approved.”
Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent”: 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 opted to receive your tax refund via mail, it could take several weeks for your check to arrive.

Track your refund in TurboTax

You could experience delays in receiving your tax refund if your return:

Includes errors – The IRS has indicated that your refund could be delayed if the information you provided on your tax return does not match the IRS records.
Is incomplete – If you didn’t have all of your documents and filed an inaccurate return
Needs further review in general
Is affected by identity theft or fraud
Includes Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit – Under the Path Act, the IRS cannot issue a refund that includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February.
Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF, which could take up to 14 weeks to process

Close-up of a woman checking her bank account.

Tax Refund Status FAQ

Will I see a date right away when I check the status in “Where’s My Refund”?

The IRS Where’s My Refund? tool will not give you a date until your tax return is received, and 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 include incomplete information, an error, or the IRS may need to review it further.

I requested my money be automatically deposited into my bank account, but I was mailed a check. What happened?

The IRS is limiting the number of direct deposits that go into a single bank account or prepaid debit card to three tax refunds per year. Your limit may have been exceeded. In addition, for a small number of returns, the IRS decides there may be indications that the bank account on the return is suspicious and they may decide to issue a check instead.

Track your refund in TurboTax

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

2,010 responses to “Where’s My Tax Refund? How to Check Your Refund Status”

Joey says:

February 15, 2015 at 1:58 pm

Finally! I sent mine 2/4 and was accepted that day. I finally received a dd date today for this Friday. I fist noticed something was happening when my transcript said my refund was approved. 2 days later WMR updated. So I hope this helps for you who are like me and check everyday. Check the irs transcript first!

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- zaheerah says:
  
  February 17, 2015 at 11:53 am
  
  How do you check the transcripts
  
  Reply
  - soph says:
    
    February 21, 2015 at 9:49 pm
    
    I filed on Jan 20. Accepted on Jan 21st. 14 days later my wmr bar disappeared. Then I just has a notice saying processing. This am I finally checked and wmr bar was back with dd date of Feb 25th. I hope this helps everyone.
- Samantha says:
  
  February 20, 2015 at 4:59 am
  
  I got my state first should I be worried
  
  Reply
- Brian says:
  
  February 20, 2015 at 7:07 pm
  
  Did you receive your refund,
  
  My transcript says 3/2/2015
  App said 2/19 and nothing yet
  
  Reply
Melanie says:

February 15, 2015 at 1:28 pm

I filed in January and I got my federal return in 7 days but my state still hasn’t come in and it’s been over 3 weeks and I’m getting very frustrated!!!! My friend did her taxes when I did mine and she got both her state and her federal in within a week of filing…..not happy!!!

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- traci says:
  
  February 18, 2015 at 8:58 am
  
  There has been a lot of fraudulent returns and identity theft going on in some states causing them then shut down processing refunds for a few weeks! Check your states revenue website and see if your state was affected. I’m from Illinois and they just started excepting and processing returns Feb 13th & wont expect refunds to go out till Feb 25th (the earliest). So id suggest you definitely check your states revenue website for any news about tax filing, you maybe suprised. Its been all over the news as well ( i know im not a news type person either) 🙂
  
  Reply
Amber says:

February 15, 2015 at 12:45 pm

My fiancée filed using TUrbo 26th accepted 27th he is getting his state back 19th WMR keeps saying “processing” he lost the bars weeks ago, I filed using H&R block 31st & excepted 31st I received my state back 13th my federal too says “processing” I too lost the bars weeks ago. Everyone has got their refunds back but us. 17th will be 21 days for him 21st will be 21 days for me. I’m so upset!

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lisapriolo says:

February 15, 2015 at 11:50 am

My refund was sent and accepted on 1/27/15. Last weekend (2/7/15) the bars disappeared and I have a message that says still processing. No tax topic number, no instructions. The 21st day of waiting will be tomorrow 2/16/15 – should I bother calling? There has not been an update since the bars disappeared and I’m starting to get really annoyed, especially since I paid turbotax fees up front.

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- Rose says:
  
  February 17, 2015 at 11:53 am
  
  I am pissed bc the irs line is busy can’t talk to nobody. Accepted on 1/27 and says to receive by 2/17 but never received a ddd and it went from the bar as accepted to your refund is processing since 1/29! I can’t be this….
  
  Reply
- Tyson says:
  
  February 18, 2015 at 3:35 am
  
  Im having the same exact issue. Same dates and all!! Ridicoulous!!
  
  Reply
Luis Iglesias says:

February 14, 2015 at 6:34 am

I did received my State refund and I am waiting for the Federal return, that usually comes in the mail one or two weeks after. I am surprised that I received the State return so quickly, even when the news report in the State of Minnesota was saying that the state taxes filled with Turbo Tax was going to be returned and not accepted, so what ever was the issue I guess was resolved, thank you for your great services, this is my second year with your company and I am happy with the results so far.

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Marian says:

February 13, 2015 at 1:39 pm

I love Turbo tax. Easy to do and fast refund!!! Thank you! See you next year!

Reply
andre black says:

February 13, 2015 at 6:50 am

Is there a way to change from a paper check to direct deposit, after you have submitted your refund?

Reply
Tracy says:

February 12, 2015 at 8:29 pm

I filed on January 25th…IRS accepted on the 26th…still says being processed. Could I please get a update on when I will receive my refund??? Very frustrated!!

Reply
- RaysRShining says:
  
  February 26, 2015 at 5:00 am
  
  If it states “refund is processing/still processing” that’s pretty much what’s going on. If you don’t have anything stating something else its just waiting it out now. I filed 1/29 with accepted. Found out i was accepted on 1/30, started with one bar with all other areas in tact (SSN, refund amount, etc) to no bar & refund processing, to refund still processing to no refund amount gone & with tax topic 152 showing. So I finally called on day 22, 25 & 26 (3 different responses) So 2-25, called Nat’l Tax Advocate….”It is in processing, he’d be more than welcome to assign me a personal rep but they will not be able to do anything until processing is complete bcz it won’t speed processing up but all was in tact, no errors & I have a projected direct deposit day in the IRS system for 3-9, most likely it will be released before that….. so fingers x’d & hope this shed light for some
  
  Reply
warren hurd says:

February 12, 2015 at 8:17 pm

I did my taxes with turbotax on jan 22 and irs accepted on the same day they gave me a date jan 23 to feb 12 still nothing what to do. my wife passed away dec 27 and I need the money to pay our bills I got my state last sat direct deposit everone else I know who didnt use turbotax got theres

Reply
paige says:

February 12, 2015 at 8:15 pm

How do i check to see what day i will recieve my tax income

Reply