If you have filed your federal income tax return and are expecting a refund, you may be wondering how to track its status and when you will receive it. Fortunately, there are several ways to check on your refund online, by phone, or through a mobile app. Here are some tips to help you track your federal tax return.
- Use the Where’s My Refund? tool on the IRS website. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund online. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. The tool will show you the status of your refund within 24 hours after the IRS receives your e-filed return, or four weeks after you mail a paper return. The tool will also tell you if there are any issues or delays with your refund, and what you need to do to resolve them.
- Use the IRS2Go mobile app. This is another convenient way to check your refund status on your smartphone or tablet. You can download the app for free from Google Play, the Apple App Store, or the Amazon App Store. You will need the same information as for the Where’s My Refund? tool to access your refund status on the app.
- Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. If you prefer to speak with a representative, you can call this number and follow the prompts to check your refund status. However, be prepared to wait for a long time, as the IRS receives a high volume of calls during tax season. You will also need the same information as for the online tools to verify your identity and get your refund status.
- Check your e-filing website or software. If you used an e-filing website or software to file your tax return, you may be able to check your refund status through their platform. Look for emails or status updates from them that confirm that your return was accepted by the IRS and that your refund is being processed. Some e-filing services may also provide links or tools to track your refund on their website or app.
Tracking your federal tax return is easy with these methods. However, keep in mind that the IRS issues most refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, so you may not need to check your status too often. Also, remember that the IRS only updates the refund information once a day, usually overnight, so checking more than once a day will not give you any new information.
The best thing to do is to file your return accurately and on time, and wait patiently for your refund to arrive.