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Prior year tax returns
- When will I receive my refund?
- How do I check the status of my federal refund?
- The IRS does not have record of my tax return. Why?
- Where will my refund check be mailed?
When will I receive my refund?
If you choose to directly deposit your refund, you will typically receive your refund in 8 to 15 days. If you did not choose direct deposit or if your direct deposit information was inaccurate, you will typically receive your refund check within 3 weeks. If you mailed in your tax return instead of e-filing, you will typically receive your refund in 6 weeks or more.
If you have not received your refund after 3 weeks, you can check the status of your refund by going to www.irs.gov and clicking "Where's My Refund?" or by calling the IRS TeleTax number at 1-800-829-4477 and selecting the refund status option. Be sure to have a copy of your return available since you will need to know the first social security number shown on your return, the filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. The IRS web site or TeleTax number will not have any refund information before at least 72 hours after your e-filed tax return was accepted by the IRS. If you mailed your tax return, it takes 3 or 4 weeks before you can go to the IRS web site or use TeleTax to find out refund information.
Refund information is updated once a week on the IRS web site and TeleTax system, so the IRS suggests that you wait a week before calling back if your refund information is not on the IRS web site or TeleTax system.
IRS refunds are sent out weekly on Fridays. If you entered direct deposit information on your tax return, check on Friday to see if your refund was direct deposited into your bank account.
If you have not received your refund after 3 weeks, you can check the status of your refund by going to www.irs.gov and clicking "Where's My Refund?" or by calling the IRS TeleTax number at 1-800-829-4477 and selecting the refund status option. Be sure to have a copy of your return available since you will need to know the first social security number shown on your return, the filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. The IRS web site or TeleTax number will not have any refund information before at least 72 hours after your e-filed tax return was accepted by the IRS. If you mailed your tax return, it takes 3 or 4 weeks before you can go to the IRS web site or use TeleTax to find out refund information.
Refund information is updated once a week on the IRS web site and TeleTax system, so the IRS suggests that you wait a week before calling back if your refund information is not on the IRS web site or TeleTax system.
IRS refunds are sent out weekly on Fridays. If you entered direct deposit information on your tax return, check on Friday to see if your refund was direct deposited into your bank account.
How do I check the status of my federal refund?
Go to the IRS website and click on Where's My Refund?. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or 1-800-829-1954.
To get to your refund status, you'll need to provide the following information as shown on your return:
You can go online to www.irs.gov to check the status of your refund 72 hours after the IRS accepts your e-filed tax return, or 3 to 4 weeks after you mail your paper return. But if you filed Form 8379 with your return, allow 14 weeks (11 weeks if you e-filed) before checking your refund status.
IRS refunds are sent out weekly on Fridays. If you entered direct deposit information on your tax return, check on Friday to see if your refund was direct deposited into your bank account.
To get to your refund status, you'll need to provide the following information as shown on your return:
- Your Social Security number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
- Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er))
- The refund amount (It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return in order for our computer system to retrieve your data.)
You can go online to www.irs.gov to check the status of your refund 72 hours after the IRS accepts your e-filed tax return, or 3 to 4 weeks after you mail your paper return. But if you filed Form 8379 with your return, allow 14 weeks (11 weeks if you e-filed) before checking your refund status.
IRS refunds are sent out weekly on Fridays. If you entered direct deposit information on your tax return, check on Friday to see if your refund was direct deposited into your bank account.
The IRS does not have record of my tax return. Why?
Log into your account by clicking on the Check E-file Status button or by clicking Check Status on the Account section of the menu. Then verify the following:
Did you e-file the return?
If the Check Status screen says that the tax return has not been e-filed, you need to go to the Submit Return for Processing screen which is the page after the Self-Select PIN screen, which is near the last screen. Click the Send Tax Return button to e-file your tax return.
Was your e-filed tax return rejected?
If your return was rejected by the IRS, you will see a screen that gives the rejection messages when you first log in, or you can click on the Check Status link in the Account menu to view the rejection message. Make any necessary corrections, then e-file the tax return again by going to last screen and clicking on the Send Tax Return button.
Was your tax return accepted by the IRS?
If the Check Status page shows that the tax return is accepted, then you can to check your refund status with the IRS on the IRS website or by calling 1-800-829-1954. It takes at least 72 hours after your e-filed return has been accepted by the IRS for your refund information to show up on the IRS system. If you filed Form 8379, injured spouse, with your tax return, it can take 11 weeks before your tax return status is available on the IRS system. If you call the IRS or use the IRS website's "Where Is My Refund" tool before that time, your refund information will not show up on the IRS system.
You will need to know the exact amount of the tax return refund, your tax return filing status, and your Social Security number for the IRS to give you any information about your tax refund when you visit the IRS website or call the IRS refund phone number.
Did you e-file the return?
If the Check Status screen says that the tax return has not been e-filed, you need to go to the Submit Return for Processing screen which is the page after the Self-Select PIN screen, which is near the last screen. Click the Send Tax Return button to e-file your tax return.
Was your e-filed tax return rejected?
If your return was rejected by the IRS, you will see a screen that gives the rejection messages when you first log in, or you can click on the Check Status link in the Account menu to view the rejection message. Make any necessary corrections, then e-file the tax return again by going to last screen and clicking on the Send Tax Return button.
Was your tax return accepted by the IRS?
If the Check Status page shows that the tax return is accepted, then you can to check your refund status with the IRS on the IRS website or by calling 1-800-829-1954. It takes at least 72 hours after your e-filed return has been accepted by the IRS for your refund information to show up on the IRS system. If you filed Form 8379, injured spouse, with your tax return, it can take 11 weeks before your tax return status is available on the IRS system. If you call the IRS or use the IRS website's "Where Is My Refund" tool before that time, your refund information will not show up on the IRS system.
You will need to know the exact amount of the tax return refund, your tax return filing status, and your Social Security number for the IRS to give you any information about your tax refund when you visit the IRS website or call the IRS refund phone number.
Where will my refund check be mailed?
If you did not use direct deposit or if the direct deposit information you entered on your tax return is incorrect, the IRS will mail your refund check to the address listed on page 1 of your tax return.
If you need to change the address and the IRS has already accepted your e-filed tax return or you have already mailed your return, then you will need to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to update your address with the IRS. Alternatively, if you moved, you can put in a change of address with the Post Office to have your refund check forwarded to you. A change of address can be done online at www.usps.com or at your local post office.
If you need to change the address and the IRS has already accepted your e-filed tax return or you have already mailed your return, then you will need to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to update your address with the IRS. Alternatively, if you moved, you can put in a change of address with the Post Office to have your refund check forwarded to you. A change of address can be done online at www.usps.com or at your local post office.
