Tax Tip #188
IRS Enhances “Where’s My Refund?” Tool
The IRS-enhanced “Where’s My Refund?” tool provides confirmation of receiving a federal tax return, approval of the tax refund and issuing date of the approved tax refund. Information for returns from tax years 2021 to 2023 is currently available on the site. There are also notifications indicating whether the IRS needs additional information.
To use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, taxpayers must enter their SSN or ITIN, filing status & the exact whole dollar amount of their expected refund from the original tax return.
Once the IRS acknowledges receipt of a return, refund status information is typically available within the following time frames:
- 24 hours after receipt of a taxpayer's e-filed tax year 2023 return.
- 3 to 4 days after receipt of an e-filed tax year 2022 or 2021 return.
- 4 weeks after mailing a paper return.
IRS representatives can only research the status of a refund if:
- 21 days or more have passed since a return was filed electronically.
- 6 weeks or more have passed since a return was mailed.
- “Where's My Refund?” instructs the taxpayer to contact the IRS.
Status and refund information for amended tax returns is also available using this tool.
Have a refund?
Click here to check the status.
