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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. I filed both on turbotax on 1/31 they were accepted immediately, usually i use hrblock but they were saying my employer wasnt efiling the ein was supposed to be all numeric. So i did turbo tax, i got my state 2 weeks ago but my 21 day cutoff is this saturday and today is Wednesday. Its NEVER taken this long on irs website its stuck on accepted. Im relieved to see im not the only one. And I filed before turbotax had that fraud issue, and that only affected state returns. I need my money! Im pregnant and have a 1yr old and havent worked in a month due to complications with my pregnancy, i have bills to pay and im praying it comes soon!

    • Guys…..I’m gonna give it to you straight forward.stop worrying.

      Now if your going on the emir site and it states your refund is still processing….a refund date will be provided when available…as long it has the code 152 ..
      Wait until your 21st day.
      Then call this number 1-800-830-5084
      Irs protection number..tell them a rep told you to call.
      Verify. Your identity with the customer. Service rep.
      Once confirmed. Your refund will finish processing.
      Another number to call would be 1-800-304-3107. To make sure you owe an offset.
      Like student loan,child support,bank,etc.
      I hope this help

      • Problem is Michelle, I was told by the IRS a couple days ago to call the customer protection line, but EVERY time I call it says “Call volume is too high, call back next business day” and then hangs up.

        This is total BS. They send my return to a different department and don’t have the decency to call or email me. Typical governmental agency.

      • Michelle,
        I’ve been calling the “Consumer Protection” number for two days, since I finally got a hold of an IRS agent and they told me that was what I had to do. The problem is…. I get the same recording EVERY time… “Call volume is too high, call again next business day”.
        This is ridiculous… They send my return to a different department which holds up my refund and they don’t email or call me??? Typical government agency.

  2. It has been over 21 days since I filed my taxes, and no refund yet. The message reads it is still being processed and date will given when available. Now, I was audited for 2012, but my audit was ruled in my favor and I received my return for 2013. Is it a possibility I am being audited again. It is very frustrating.

    • Hi John Paul,
      There are many TurboTax customers saying they did receive their tax refund and also others posting who used other services saying they still have not received their tax refunds. Every tax situation is different.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • It’s not just Turbo Tax. This is related to the IRS. I used another company. The IRS is doing this on purpose. It’s all a scam.

  3. I filed my taxes on January 28th and they were approved three days later, i received my federal on the 4th but have yet to receive my state, is this normal?

  4. Just wondering how accurate the deposit date listed on the where’s my refund is??? I’ve been accepted n approved but refund hasn’t been sent yet and nothing has been deposited to my account. Im just curious as to the accuracy of the deposit date. Someone, anyone pls let me know something.

  5. The IRS said our return was approved and scheduled to be sent Feb. 11th. Well I still had not received our return today. I checked “where’s my refund” and there is an ! And says they pulled it from being sent to looking it over. Why? Is that normal? We did owe then $2,700 but they deducted that from the return, gave us our new refund amount then pulled it back again.

  6. So I finally got a live person today. My bars disappeared a week after it was accepted. Today the lady told me there was an error processing my return electronically so they had to pull it to work on it. So now it’s like I filed a paper return and it’s going to take 6-8 weeks to process.

  7. I filed my taxes on February 06, 15 with TurboTax, it was accepted the same day by the irs. My status is still in processing mode and I called the irs four times and all they can say is it take 21 days to process. This is my first time using TurboTax and and I will never use them again. Ive used h&r block for the last 8 yrs and have always there received my refund within a week. I know its a TurboTax fault n not the irs. Extremely pissed!

    • Hi,
      Many TurboTax customers have received their tax refunds and there are also people who used other methods to file who have not received their tax refund. Everyone’s tax situation is different. We do not approve or issue your tax refund.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  8. Wow this is crazy!!!! I filed on Jan 27th and I still haven’t heard anything. The IRS2GO app says its still processing. I don’t know what’s going on or why I haven’t got anything. Now I see am not the only one. I guess we ain’t gone get anything until the decide. And there’s no way of finding out. Just a waiting game now!!!

  9. I filed on Jan 21 and got accepted an hour later but still haven’t received my return.. status on the website says still processing. It’s has been over 21 days and I called 18008291040 but it does not give me the option to speak to someone regarding this. Is this happening to anyone. I have friends thug filed way after me and received their money like a couple days later.

    • Same number but opt 1, 2, 2, 4, 1 and you’ll get through, I’m in the same boat, where it says processing, no refund, no tax note, and today was told I was sent a letter yest and it’s a 90% chance that the letter is due to the irs systems not being updated with the latest software for the Obama care tax form and it may require me to send in info. Not 100 sure. Smh, this year is the craziest ever

  10. Filed 1/29 and all accepted and notified its on net spend card. However, still haven’t gotten card and they wont return my call. The have over 8k of my money…WTH

  11. I filed on the 28th and if I go to where’s my review or call the auto system and it say the same thing my refund is still in process I have no notification from IRS that they are doing anything with my refund cant get a live person so did anyone else file on the 28 or 29 and have any information as to what is going on? I am so frustrated

    • Accepted the 27th now day 22 called got a person put me through to the individual line and then operator says high volume of calls call back tomorrow… My 21 days was 2/17! This has to be a joke!!! I’m trying not to trip but if there is an issue I have a number listed on my forms they could have called it call instead of having people in limbo

    • I as well filed on the 28th. As you know our 21 days were up yesterday. I called the IRS spoke to a representative and was told my return is under further review. No specific reason but this means it can take until the 4th of march and the 18th at the longest. Well atleast that’s what the rep told me. He said basically nothing is wrong so continue checking the Website and look foward anywhere from now to the 4th of March!

      • I got the same speech from an IRS person when I called the toll free number. I was totally frustrated because I filed on Jan 12th and it was accepted to be processed on Jan 14th however the IRS didn’t start processing returns until Jan 20th. The woman told me that it’s happening quite a bit this year and that with the extra work they have to do this year with the new health care reform and being shorter staffed returns are taking longer. Which I understand but I don’t think they should tell people you’ll likely get your return in 21 days and then when that person checks for an update day after day and doesn’t get anything it’s totally frustrating! I told the lady this isn’t right, I didn’t do my taxes myself I used software so I don’t understand how there could be a problem, she said “mam it isn’t that you did something wrong, it’s that we have more to do this year and less people to do it” Well sorry lady but that isn’t my fault and I would like my return, my family and I are counting on that! uurrgghh The IRS is totally frustrating this year!

      • There’s nothing we can do but wait. I can’t believe it’s going to take 30 days for the irs to send my trustee a letter for my bankruptcy

      • has anyone that gave there information to the IRS gotten their refund yet I am still waiting I filed on Jan 28th and then called on Feb 17 and gave information to verify that it was me to IRS but still nothing just want to know if anyone got their refund that has had the ID theft yet.

  12. Do i have to call because this my first year doing my taxes and i put a routing number for a card that cant receive money only thru my job ! I need help ? it has been accepted aproved and sent but it was the wrong card

    • Hi Brianna,
      If the IRS has information for a closed account they will mail you a check. If your return was already approved the information can not be changed once it was electronically filed and approved.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  13. I filed jan 20 2015 accepted jan 22 2015 .. My 21 days was Feb 11 2015 . Today i decided to call and ask because i was curious and upset … Spoke with a rep she said i should have received a letter (which i didn’t) that i was a victim of identity theft and i would need to complete a questionnaire in order to complete the processing …smh !! frustrating because i never received a letter and when i called the identity hotline number it hangs up on me and says there experiencing a high number of calls !!!

  14. For everyone who still has a “processing” statement, and it’s been past 21 days, there is nothing you can do and nothing you can find out. It’s been over 21 days for me so I called the IRS and spoke to a representative today, but all she could tell me is that it’s under review. I tried to find out more but she said there was nothing else she even knows. Now, I could call back and get more information if the status changes to something else but, as of now, as long as it still says “processing” all of our hands are tied. I am not happy.

  15. Hello I filed my taxes on the 31 of January State has completed their return and sent me my refund what is going on with the Federal refund. Turbo Tax let me down this year after I have been faithful in using your service.

  16. Hi i filed my taxes on Feb 10 2015 & It Was Accepted 10mins After. But Whenever I Check WHERE’S MY REFUND It still says Can’t Provide Me With Any Info And To Wait 24-48hrs after Receiving Email.. What Is Going On…? I Just Wana Know If Is Being Processed Or Not

  17. Still no update, still says processing, accepted 1/27/15 should be received by 2/17, well here it is still no ddd still no money still says processing and the irs line is high volume so can’t call. I’m pissed

  18. I filed on 1/27, accepted on 1/28 – Still no tax refund. I have no bars and it says, “Still processing”. I have not received a letter of any type. Anyone else having this same issue?

  19. I filed on the feb 2 approved on the 13th took 11 days to get approved dd on the 18th today irs sent it to sbbt bank will i get it sometime today also read your transcripts it told me everything i needed to know

  20. I filed on 1/31/15 and have already received my state refund. My Federal taxes were sent to my bank on 2/11/15 and time frame for deposit was between the 11th and 16th of this month. It is now 2/17/2015 and my bank has not recieved the refund and i cant get in touch with the IRS. What do i do?

  21. Never again, turbotax…… over 21 days and no return….. nothing changed as far as my info from last year….. I called and irs and they said there was an error and couldn’t tell me what it was at the moment.

  22. I filed my taxes and was accepted on January 24th. The 21 day mark was February 14th but I have stil not received my refund (I filed my parent’s taxes on January 25th and they received their refund within 10 days). WMR is still reflecting a message of “Your return is still being processed…” and there’s no refund date available. I’ve tried calling 800-829-1040, but it does not give me the option to speak with an actual person. Does anyone have a number that will allow me to speak with someone to see what’s going on?

  23. I filed on Jan. 26 and my return was accepted on the 27th, today makes 22 days. This is ridiculous, won’t be using Turbo Tax again, I’ve never had to wait on my return this long and have been using Turbo Tax for years. Can’t get through to IRS because of “high call volume”!

  24. So frustrated. Still saying refund is being processed. A date will be given when available. 😢 My 21days will be up in a couple days.

  25. I filed on January 21st. I have already received my state return that came pretty quick. But my federal return says its still being processed on the where’s my refund tool.

    It’s been well over 21 days. Wondering what’s up when it was instantly accepted .

    Id really liked my hard earned money back !!!

    If anyone knows anything for the delay please let me know

    Matthew

    • I filed on the 21st also. Accepted the same day. I called irs last wed and finally got through. After half hour of research the rep said there was a processing error and I would not receive my return for 6 to 8 weeks after file date of 21st even though I did nothing wrong. I thought it was just me but maybe they messed up all returns filed that day.

    • Same here…its been 27 days since I filed, and its still “processing”. I called, and was told that its still processing, and that I could keep checking daily with the “wheres my refund” tool. I was told it could be another 6-8 weeks…and that if they need anymore information they will get ahold of me. Its so frustrating. Every other year I’ve had it before 21 days is up. I’m worried there’s something wrong with it, however seeing so many other people with the same issue…I wonder if there’s another reason for the delay. And if so, they should give us an explanation instead of letting us wonder whats going on.

    • I filed on the 13 was accepted on the 16 got a letter from irs that said that they was reviewing my income and that I didn’t have to do anything. But I see a date of February the 20th on your site. Should I wait to see if I receive my refund on that date Or should I call the now. PLEASE HELP
      THANKS IN ADVANCE

    • I am in the exact same boat as you… I filed a couple days after you… and it says the same thing, that my return is being processed and a refund date will be given soon. I don’t understand this? When I call the IRS it won’t take you to a live person and even if you call your closest office, they can’t help you either!!! I am wondering why this year is so difficult because every other year I have not had any problems.

    • I filed on feb 2 and was approved on friday the 13th it took 11 days dd on the 18th irs sent ot to sbbt bank they have it will they give it to me today

  26. I filed on Jan 26th accepted Jan 27th my bars went away the second day. When I go to irs2go it says “Your refund is still being processed, a refund date will be provided when avaliable” I filed self employed this year and claimed a dependent, they audited me on my state asking for pay stubs, my tax preparer says its normal for self employed to be audited on the state. She also told me I shouldn’t worry about my federal, but the website has not updated in 16 days. Should I be worried. & btw i still have not got a letter in regards to my state.

  27. Turbo Tax accepted my return on January 29. It is February 16 and I have not heard anything from them. The 21 day cut off date is this Thursday…. I have had friends that used TurboTax later than the day I submitted it and they have already received theirs. What’s going on with that?

    • Hi Stephen,
      Everyone’s tax situation is different. After 21 days you can call the IRS to find out the status of your tax return.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

      • I was just wondering what number do I call to speak to someone at the IRS because it has been well over 21 days since we’ve filed and has not received any letter in the mail saying we’re being reviewed.

      • Well how do you do that? Because the irs won’t take you to a live agent and all they do is tell you the status of your refund, just like the website. So how am I supposed to call them? the only other thing I saw was there is a number that says call if you haven’t received your refund in 12 weeks from acceptance. And they won’t talk to you unless it has been 12 weeks. So what is going on Lisa? Give us some info we can actually use!!!

    • I filed and got accepted on the 29th of January as well. I just hung up with a rep who gave me a little more info then I have been getting, tho the 21st day is thursday. She said that I must allow an additional 6 to 8 weeks due to some identity changes. She asked if I had credit to walmart or target or applied for credit recently? She said that those things are impacting my return. However, the Sad thing is that none of that applies to me. This is sad!! I hope it works out for all of us though.

  28. I was accepted 1-31-2015, still waiting for approval and dd date. It is 2-16 -2015. It has never taken this long before! I did receive the state return. I pay the full price amount for a Obama-care health policy. I don’t know if the form I filled out for that is holding things up or what. I usually receive $ in 7 days.Tomorrow is day 18:(

  29. I filed my taxes on the 30th of jan…got accepted the same day…as of today 2/16/15 its still processing….can somebody tell me whats goin on…

  30. My turbo tax refund states that: Your refund was sent to your bank on February 10, 2015 for direct deposit. Its now 2/16/15 and i just called the bank its not there.. Im getting frusturated! Where is it?? My bank account number is correct and its been approved so where is it??

  31. Okay so if I put my sons middle initial wrong is this whats keeping me from getting my return. Filed 1/20. Accepted 1/21. Looked over e-file and i put the wrong letter in for middle inital. What now???

    • When I initially filed the name didn’t match the social (I flip flopped two digits) and I received an immediate notice via email the return was rejected due to the error. If yours was accepted that would lead me to believe the middle initial wouldn’t make an impact or delay. I am not 100% sure so take it for what it’s worth.

  32. I was accepted 1/30/2015 and nothing yet. When I go to where’s my refund, it still says processing with no bars. Hasn’t shown bars for over a week now. I filed with turbotax. Why are there no bars, and why is it taking so long. I know it could be up up to 21 days, but am I really that one. Everyone else seems to be getting their return. I have a very simple return.

  33. I filled HRblock Jan 27 2015 accepted that day, checked statues says still processing. Talked to live person (after30 min wait) said 19th of this mo , asked me if this was the first time I filled joint, what’s that all about. This is crazy!

  34. I filed on 01/27/2015 its been 30 days and I have not received anything yet. The status says it’s still in processed…whats going on here?

  35. I must say after a long wait I filed on January 17 it was accepted on the 20th….On Valentine Day I checked again it was approved it will be deposited by Feb 19th… It’s really going to take a lot of patience this year… I tried to called before and gave up when I couldn’t get thru to anyone by phone…PATIENCE is the key

  36. Filed on the 16th, got “approved” on the 20th, yet when I put everything in at Where’s My Refund, they have no information on me…

  37. Filed 2nd still processing, first time used turbo tax, my friends got theres in 6 days and im still waiting still processing with irs.

  38. i filed the 2nd of feb me and my husband neither of us can log in we did it online and got out taxes mailed to our address this is our first year filling how long does it normally take to get ours we really need it ive contacted turbo tax 2 times and they couldnt help me im very upset because we really need ours and cant wait 8-12 weeks for it to come back that 2 1/2 months !!

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