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Where’s My Tax Refund How to Check Your Refund Status (1440 × 600 px)
Where’s My Tax Refund How to Check Your Refund Status (411 x 600)

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

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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.

 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 CreditUnder 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.

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

  1. My status bar disappeared…it states that my refund is still processing. I filled on the 28th…Normally i receive my refund in less than 10 days.

  2. This is the second year in a row that I experience problems using turbo tax. Filed on the 31st and its still processing but has yet to be approved. Why the delay when I’m sure I have just a simple tax return.

  3. I am becoming frustrated to no end. I filed on the 16th of January. One of the first ones accepted. But my status STILL says ‘accepted’ and not approved. Here it is ’21 days later’ (starting from the 20th) and I am stuck where I started. I file the same type of return year after year. The only information that has changed is a few hundred dollars in income…. What is the hold up????????

  4. My bars disappeared a few days ago. And this is stressed me out because it just says “being processed” and doesn’t give an accurate date or anything else. I’m stressed because I’m waiting to see what happened and if I need to call in to verify my identity since I googled and saw this. I desperately need the money now since I’m not working. Super super stressed out.

  5. I filed 1/20 been processing since 2/4 Now my 21st day will.Be 2/11/2015 So whats the hold up.Its been saying “still processing a date will be available

  6. This is utter crap!! I filed on the 20th!! Now no bars and it says I hae to wait for a date be because it’s still processing!!! They say wait 21 days to call, then you get a message they can’t give you any information until it has been 28 days!! Seriously, why doesn’t anyone have answers? It’s frustrating as hell!

  7. I filed on jan 30th and and the WMR is still sayimg processing and i should receive my refund within 21 days why is this me and my sister bith filed the exact same day and the same time at the same place and she got her money on Feb 6th and yet im still waiting to be processes wth is going On

  8. Where do you find your transcript? I filed and got acceted on the 31st and still have only 1 bar. My niece filed on the 4th and has a DDD of the 11th.
    Is there potentially a problem with mine?

  9. I filed on Jan 28 was approved 29th I usually do h&r Block this year went to a Lil place called simple tax solutions… They said they were issuing these refundo cards but at the last min They said the cards had issues so they didn’t give them out… Now I have a ddd for Feb 11 should I still receive my return on that date???? Please help really need return to get kids things and catch up on some bills….

  10. I filed on the 20 it was accepted on the 22 of jan but
    My status bars disappeared on the forth saying a refund date will be available its almost been 21 days now can anyone let me know what’s goin on

  11. My ddd was for feb 10th and it went in at 12:15! So glad. I found more accurate information at sptgb.com. The link is on my pc at work, sorry. This is the site most tax sites use, their bank so wmr will stay accepted this site will show you if irs has sent the money to thier bank because their fees come out if you elected to have fees deducted from your refund. Then the remainder is sent to your bank and it has the date. Good luck!

  12. Filed 1/28 thru taxact, accepted on 1/29.. Since then no bars and just still processing refund date as soon As soon as available. Seen several say this is pulled for audit and return is being review further?? Or is it just way behind in processing returns?

  13. My return was accepted on 1/26 and no refund date, no bars. Tried to get my transcript and it directs me to the identity theft number. Have been on hold for 45 minutes waiting to see if that is possibly holding up my refund, just another thing to check on if your refund is taking a long time, if you have a few hours to be tied up on the phone.

  14. Somebody help me please as of 2 days ago I have no bars I filed on the 20th it was on one bar till 2 days ago now no bars when I looked up my transcripts this year is all zeros it’s saying not filed what do I do

  15. Not getting your refund yet is not TurboTax’s fault. Sometimes it just takes the IRS longer to process some people’s than others. I did mine 3 days before my parents and they already got theirs. With the new health plans requirement this year it will take a little longer. Just be patience and you will get it. TurboTax just helps with the filing part of it. It’s up to the IRS when you will get your money.

  16. I had a DDD of 2/4. On the 7th with no deposit it shows on wheres my refund that the processing was delayed and will be given another date. Called irs this morning and they said it was “pulled for further review. ” anyone else have this happen? What’s going on?

  17. I mailed my papers in February 2nd i have it setup for direct deposit. But checked the irs site and.it’s.saying no.info.available yet. What should i do. And when should i get it. Past years it took 2-3 weeks

  18. I filed in Miami, Florida on 01/31 with private accountant…it was approved right away..says on IRS where’s my refund app that it should be direct deposited starting today 02/09/2015 I have SCCU bank…no funds yet….

  19. I filed and got accepted 1/26 but here it is 2 weeks later and no change. TurboTax doesn’t even show the percentage of people for the same day that received their refunds anymore. Anyone else?

    • Still no change. Very frustrating. Simple form. Had insurance. Never had this problem before. Definitely looking like the first and last time I use turbotax.

  20. I have a question i wanna know my refund is taking longer than others and me and my sister went the same day and filed i have the same job for the last three years

  21. Just wondering if anyone who filed on the 20th have received a refund a date or if your bars went missing did they come back????

    • I filed on the 20th, and on the 7th I was finally accepted. It shows my refund is schedule to he mailed by the 13th of Feb, (I opted to receive my refund by check.) I have also learned that typically if there are no bars showing, it usually means that it is under review, or possibly is being audited, however, since yours is still saying processing, I don’t know. I wish you luck, and hope you receive it soon

    • I filed on 1/20 and my bars disappeared after a few days. Now it says “still processing.” Everyone else I know has already received their Fed return.

    • I filed on the 23rd and my bars were missing this morning as well and says still processing. I’m getting worried now. Why would the bars disappear?!

    • I filed on the 13th, it was accepted early on the 16th, and today is now the 21st day and I have yet to get anything back. The bars went missing on the WMR site for me as well the irs says that is happening to other people too. My return has said it is processing this whole time it hasn’t change. I am not happy it has never taken me this long to get my return back. First year that I have used turbo tax and will be my last. I am not happy.

    • I am I the same boat filed the same day talked to someone finally a bit ago she says she sees nothing wrong with my return so fingers crossed my bars are gonna have been for a few days

    • I did my taxes on the 20th and the bars went missing and I haven’t received my refund yet. Tomorrow will be 21 days since the date of acceptance.

    • I have the same problem! My return was accepted Jan 21 and its still processing and the bar has disappeared now. So confused and frustrated.

    • I filed on the 20th and my bars went missing as well. I also just went back to school, so I am not sure if the education thing held everything up.

    • I filed on the 20 and still havent gotten mine yet, it still says still processing. I wonder how much longer it will take to get it.

  22. I just found this website off another turbo tax blog..go to http://www.sbtpg.com which is the official bank of turbo tax and put in your informatino and it will tell you if your refund has been deposited to your bank. I was accepted on 01/26 got a DDD last week of 02/11 and this is what the site says: Bank has forwarded all or part of your income tax refund from the IRS to your financial institution on 02/09/2015, per the IRS refund delivery date. Im still reading around on it but I hope this helps someone. It has the amounts etc that was deposited so this should give some of us some relief. Good luck

  23. I have a DDD of 2/10 so will it go in by that date? The bank i use, my deposits- work or tax return, normally post two days prior to the due date. I just spoke with them and no pending deposits. This is the first year ive noticed this happening. Has anyone had theirs to deposit and if so did it deposit on your dd or was it after. I was reading last week where some werent even hitting the bank when it was supposed to. I will be so glad when this nightmare is over and i get my money and be done with it.

  24. Why does where my refund keep stating wrong info. It’s not. I can’t get any info on my status. But did receive state tax back already.

    • I won’t either I filed on 31 and accepted same day still nothing I called irs they told me they received it feb 3 everyone who filed after me gotten there’s

  25. I filed my taxes before my mom. She received her date, yet my status says still processing and isn’t showing bars. Can someone pls help me?

    • I filed with taxslayer.com on Jan 29th and was accepted on january 29th according to wmr. Was stuck on accepted with the orange status bar from the 29th to Feb 6th. However, on Saturday February 7th my bars disappeared and it just says processing and a date will be given when available. Yesterday and today I called the irs twice and was told the same thing by two different people-to allow 21 days. I can’t order transcripts either, when I try, it says to call their identity theft number and I called it and was told to allow 21 days. This is ridiculous. So to answer your question, I don’t know if and when your status bar will return. At this point, I give up on on my federal return. This is stressful.

  26. Filed on 1/22/2015 was accepted same night , as of 1/30/2015 my refund status says ” a refund date will be provided when available ” why is it taking so long & I see other comments where people have gotten theirs and they filed after me.

  27. I filed on jan 25, got an email right away saying it was accepted. Didn’t get a second bar til Fri the 6th, third bar the 7th, recd money in dd on the 7th as well. I was really starting to be concerned about the length of time; but once approved I got it right away. Be patient, no need to freak out, it will come!

    • I am in the same boat but can’t figure out what is going on. When I called this morning they said it was pulled for further review. And that it could take an additional 60 days past the regular 21 processing days to receive my refund. 🙁

    • I got accepted on 1/20. It is now 2/11 and I have not received anything but the state. My federal still says processing and a date will be given when available. I’ve been patient but it’s been way longer than anyone I know now.

  28. Anybody filed their taxes through turbo tax and got a date of jan 30 has been deposited to bank but instead u still waiting?

    • Anybody got a mailed check even after u filed for a deposit to your card?? I got a date of deposit of jan 30 but still no deposit?

    • My friend filed hers through turbo tax, got a date of the 30th and her refund was actually deposited in her account on the 30th. You might want to check with your bank.

  29. I filed the 27th irs received it the 27th and it’s been processing for 10 days only thing new on my return is Affordable Care is that the hold up

  30. I filed on Jan 9 accepted on the jan12 never have seen bars. Just said still being processed we will let you know when refund date is available.

    • I spone with the IRS yesterday about codes on my transcript. There is a systematic delay this year in processing. Codes mean nothing, dates mean nothing except the internal deadlines for the IRS so be careful listening to the refund Nostrodamus crowd. Budget cuts translate into staff cuts. 9 out of 10 in 21 days means 140 million folks are going to experience delays. If your return is itemized, has healthcare impact, education credits, etc where amounts have to match what other organizations submit, expect delays. Your mothers, sisters, cousins boyfriend getting theirs two days ago does not mean you will get yours today.

  31. I filed my taxes on 1/12 got accepted 1/13. I checked where’s my refund on irs.gov and it had the orange bar saying it was accepted. Suddenly, the bars went away and I’ve been getting this message “your tax return is still being processed a refund date will be provided when available.” The automated system says the exact same thing as the website. Today is February 7th. I’ve received nothing in the mail, email, on turbo tax website, or the irs website notifying me if anything is wrong with my return. I also have no transcripts available for 2014 besides two of them which are blank. Does anybody know what’s going on or is experiencing the same situation? I’m watching several people file their taxes and get their returns deposited in a matter of days yet it’s been nearly a month since mine was accepted????

    • I e-filed using TaxAct on 1/9/2015, it was submitted to the IRS in a testing bacth on 1/13, and I haven’t received an update since. I have no clue whats going on but I’m in the same boat 🙁

    • I was told by many that my return is more than likely under review and when that happens it could take up to 3 months to settle. My return was accepted on 1/26, showed the status bar for two days and then disappeared. It now says “still processing.” It also says this on the irs.gov website. Not happy at all.

  32. Just thought I would leave an update. As of today, 2/7/15, I am finally approved. I filed on 1/20, and was accepted the same day, so whoever filed around the same time, you should get your approval date soon

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