About “Where’s My Refund?”
What information is Available on Where’s My Refund?
Refund information for the most current tax year that you filed will generally be available 72 hours after we acknowledge receipt of your e-filed return, or three to four weeks after you mail your paper return.
What information is Not Available on Where’s My Refund?
•Amended Tax Return (Form 1040X) Information
Where’s My Refund? does not track refunds that are claimed on amended tax returns.
Amended/corrected returns may take 8 to 12 weeks, or longer, to process.
If it’s been more than 8 weeks since you filed your amended return and you haven’t received your refund, please contact a customer service representative by calling 800-829-1040. From outside the U.S., call 267-941-1000. TTY/TDD: 800-829-4059.
•Business Tax Return Information
If you need refund information on federal tax returns other than U.S. Individual Income Tax (Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ) please call us, toll free, at 800-829-4933. From outside the U.S., call 267-941-1000. TTY/TDD: 800-829-4059.
•Prior Year Refund Information
Information on Where’s My Refund? will be for the latest tax year that we have on file for you.
Example: You filed your 2009 tax return on January 1, 2010 and then filed your 2008 tax return on February 1, 2010. The information available on Where’s My Refund will be for the 2009 tax return even though you filed your 2008 return after your 2009 return.
How Long Will My Refund Information be Available?
•For U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns filed before July 1:
Your refund information will remain available on Where’s My Refund? until around the second or third week in December.
If your refund check was returned to us as undeliverable by the U.S. Post Office, your refund information will remain available on Where’s My Refund? throughout the following year until you file tax return for a more current tax year.
•For U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns filed on or after July 1:
Your refund information will remain available throughout the following year until you file a tax return for a more current tax year.
Can I change my mailing address online?
If your refund was returned to us by the U.S. Postal Service you may be able to change the address we have on file for you, online. Where’s My Refund? will offer this service to you if you’re eligible.
What if my refund was lost, stolen, or destroyed?
Generally, you can file an online claim for a replacement check if it’s been more than 28 days from the date that we mailed your refund. Where’s My Refund? will give you detailed information about filing a claim if this situation applies to you.
2013 Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will I get my refund?
The IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days.
What is the fastest way to get information about my refund?
Use the IRS2Go mobile app or the Where’s My Refund? tool. You can start checking on the status of your tax return within 24 hours after we have received your e-filed return or 4 weeks after you mail a paper return.
Will I see a date for my refund right away?
Where’s My Refund? will not give you a refund date right away. We must first receive your tax return and then we have to process it and approve your refund. Where’s My Refund? will give you a personalized date once your refund is approved.
How will I know if IRS received my tax return and if my refund is being processed?
Use the Where’s My Refund? tool to follow your tax return from receipt to issuance of your refund. While your tax return is being processed you can follow it through three states: Return Received, Refund Approved and Refund Sent.
When can I start checking on my refund status?
You can start checking on the status of your return within 24 hours after we have received your e-filed tax return or 4 weeks after you mail a paper tax return.
What is happening when Where’s My Refund? shows the status of my refund is: Return Received?
This means the IRS has your tax return and is processing it. Your personalized refund date will be available as soon as the IRS finishes processing your return and confirms that your refund has been approved. Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days.
How long will it take for my status to change from “Return Received” to Refund Approved?
Sometimes your status may change from “Return Received” to “Refund Approved” in just a few days, but it could take longer and a date will not be provided until your refund has been approved. However, if Where’s My Refund? shows the status of your refund is: Return Received we have received your tax return and we are processing it.
What is happening when Where’s My Refund? shows the status of my refund is: Refund Approved?
This means the IRS has processed your return and your refund has been approved. The IRS is now preparing to send your refund to your bank or directly to you in the mail if you requested a paper check.
What is happening when Where’s My Refund? shows the status of my tax return is: Refund Sent?
This means the IRS has sent your refund to your financial institution for direct deposit. It may take your financial institution 1 – 5 days to deposit the funds into your account. If you requested a paper check this means your check has been mailed. It could take several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail.
How often does Where’s My Refund? update?
Where’s My Refund? updates are made no more than once per day, usually at night.
Will Where’s My Refund? provide a refund status if I filed an amended return?
No it does not provide information about amended tax returns.
Will calling the IRS help me get my refund any faster?
There’s no need for you to call the IRS about your refund status unless Where’s My Refund? displays a specific message that says you should call. If we need more information to process your tax return, we will contact you by mail. Otherwise Where’s My Refund? has the most up to date information available about your refund. Use the IRS2Go mobile app or use the Where’s My Refund? tool. Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What if I am counting on my refund for something important? Can I expect to receive it on time?
Be careful not to count on getting your refund by a certain date to make major purchases or pay other financial obligations. Many different factors can affect the timing of your refund after we receive it for processing. Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, it’s possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer. Also, if you are anticipating a refund, take into consideration the time it takes for your financial institution to post the refund to your account, or for mail delivery.
For more information or to watch the video please visit IRS.gov
Please remember, you can also track all of your state refunds through our website Midwestbkpg.com and use the “Forms & Links” tab.