Waiting on your tax refund? Here's how you can check its status with the IRS (2024)

FAQs

Waiting on your tax refund? Here's how you can check its status with the IRS? ›

Where's My Refund has the latest information on your return. If you don't have internet access, you may call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954 for a current-year refund or 866-464-2050 for an amended return.

It takes at least 24 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 Allocation, with your tax return, it can take 11 weeks before your tax return status is available on the IRS system.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund easily and conveniently with the IRS Where's My Refund tool at IRS.gov/refunds. Refund status is available within 24 hours after the taxpayer e-filed their current year return.

The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where's My Refund? tool on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of the taxpayer's e-filed return.

Even with the January 30 opening of the tax season, we expect refunds to be issued within normal timeframes. The IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days last year.

See our Held or Stopped Refund page or our video for more information. If the IRS is reviewing your return, the review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.

Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer. However, if refund is not received during this duration, the taxpayer must check for intimation regarding discrepancies in ITR; check email for any notification from the IT department regarding the refund.

Taxpayers can view status of refund 10 days after their refund has been sent by the Assessing Officer to the Refund Banker. Status of 'paid' refund, being paid other than through 'Refund Banker', can also be viewed at www.tin-nsdl.com by entering the 'PAN' and 'Assessment Year'.

An incomplete return, an inaccurate return, an amended return, tax fraud, claiming tax credits, owing certain debts for which the government can take part or all of your refund, and sending your refund to the wrong bank due to an incorrect routing number are all reasons that a tax refund can be delayed.

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. However, it's possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer.

Should I be worried if my refund is still being processed? ›

If your refund details state that it's still processing, you can check your tax return to see if you catch any errors. If your refund status instructs you to contact the IRS, you can speak to an agent to get clarification by calling 1-800-829-1040.

Common reasons include changes to a tax return or a payment of past due federal or state debts.

by TurboTax• 748• Updated 7 months ago

Pending means that your e-filed return is on its way and that the government hasn't accepted or rejected it yet. If you e-filed your return before the IRS starts processing returns this year, it'll stay in pending status until then.

You should only call about your:

E-filed return: 3 weeks after you filed it. Paper return: 6 weeks after you mailed it.

Ignore refund myths

The information available on "Where's My Refund?" is the same information available to IRS telephone assistors. Filing electronically and using direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to file an accurate return and receive a tax refund.

Information is updated once a day, overnight.

You must wait at least 24 hours after you get the acknowledgment e-mail that your tax return was received by the IRS. Your e-filed return was accepted (received) by the IRS less than 24 hours ago. Wait at least 24 hours after acceptance before using WMR. Your return is still pending.

IRS mismatches often occur due to discrepancies between your tax return and IRS records, potentially caused by outdated personal information, transcription errors, or third-party mistakes. Resolving a mismatch requires reviewing your information, correcting any mistakes, and possibly filing an amended return.

As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed due to: Mistakes. Missing information. Suspicious activity referred by banks.

You may get a message saying the service in unavailable because of a system failure with our application or an error in retrieving your data. You may still see other options available even if you encounter this situation, such as the Get Transcript button or the Payment Activity tab.