Check Your Refund
Once a day information is updated, overnight.
Way to check your refund:
- You Social Security or taxpayer ID number
- Your filling status
- The exact refund amount on your return
- Select the tax year for the refund status you want to check
Check Your Refund
About “Where’s My Refund”
What information is available? Check your status of your refund
- 24 hours after e-filling a tax year 2022 return
- 3 or 4 days after e-filling a tax year 20220 or 2021 return
- 4 weeks, after filling on paper
Where’s My Refund? Will give you a personalized refund date after we process your return and approve your refund.
The tracker displays progress through three stages:
- Return received
- Refund approved
- Refund sent
To use Where’s My Refund, you need to provide your Social Security number, filling status and the exact whole dollar amount of your expected refund.
Prior Year Refund Information
Where’s My Refund? will display the refund status of the tax year you choose. If you need other return information, view your Online Account.
What if my refund was lost, stolen, or destroyed?
Generally, you can file an online claim for a replacement check if it’s been move than 28 days from the date we mailed your refund. Where’s My Refund? will give you detailed information about filling a claim if this situation applies to you.
For more information, check our Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions
What information is not available?
Amended Tax Returns
Refund information for form 1040X, Amended U.S individual income Tax Return is not available on Where’s My Refund? Use Where’s My Amended Return? to get the status of your amended return.
Business Tax Return Information
For return information on federal tax returns other than form 1040, U.S individual income Tax Return, call, toll free, at 800-829-4933. From outside the U.S, call 267-941-1000. TTY/TDD: 800-829-4059.
File a Tax Return
We are opening mail within normal timeframes, and we’ve processed all paper and electronic individuals returns received in 2022 or earlier in the order received
If they were received prior to December 2022 and the return had no errors or did not require further review.
As of December 30, 2022, we had 2.04 million unprocessed individuals returns received in 2022. These include tax year 2021 returns and late filled prior year returns. Of these, 1.60 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 440,000 are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. This work does not typically require us to correspond with taxpayers, but it does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund.
How long you may have to wait: we proceed to process the required tax return manual checking is required due to errors. For returns received in the currently year, we process individual tax returns for which refunds are due first. Reflect tax return, taxes owned will be processed last , but if payment will be sent split upon receipt deposit to protect taxpayer accounts payment will be credited.
As the return is processed, whether it was filled electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake, is missing information, or this is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it we will do so without contacting you. If we need or need more information check that you have sent the tax return we sent a letter from you about the solutions to these problems may take more than 120 days how fast and accurate are reply soon complete your return processing.
What you should do: in most instances no further action is needed. Whether you filed electronically or by paper, we will contact you by mail if we need more information or if we made a change to your return. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you are due a refund, filed on paper more than six months ago, and Where’s My Refund? does not indicate we received your return, you should resubmit your return, you should resubmit your tax return, electronically if possible.
Make sure it includes an original signature, and include all documents submitted with the original return. Otherwise, please do not file your tax return again. Check Where’s My Amended Return?, view your account for possible updates.
Status of processing form 1040-X, Amended Individual Tax Return: As of January 21, 2023, we had 439,000 unprocessed forms 1040-X. We are processing these returns in the order received and the current timeframe can be more than 20 weeks. Please don’t file the same return more than once. Taxpayers should continue to check Where’s My Amended Return? For the most up to date processing status available.
Status of the 2020 Unemployment Compensation Exclusion Corrections: The IRS has completed systematic adjustments of these accounts. The IRS corrected 14 million returns and issued 12 million refunds totaling $14.8 billion. Some taxpayers received refunds, while others had the overpayment applied to taxes due or other debits. The IRS mailed a letter to affected taxpayers to inform them of the corrections, generally within 30 days from when the corrections were completed. See the 2020 unemployment compensation exclusion FAQs for more information, including details on whether filing an amended return is needed.
Status of processing Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return: As of January 25, 2023, we had 1.1 million unprocessed Forms 941. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgment, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. These tax returns are processed in the order received. Please don’t file a second tax return.
As of January 25, 2023, our total inventory of unprocessed Forms 941-X was approximately 468,000, some of which cannot be processed until the related 941s are processed. While not all of these returns involve a COVID credit, the inventory is being worked at two sites (Cincinnati and Ogden) that have trained staff to work possible COVID credits.
Who Should File a Tax Return
Most U.S. citizens and permanent residents who work in the United States, need to file a tax return if they make more than a certain amount for the year.
You may want to file even if you make less than that amount, because you may get money back if you file. This could apply to you if you:
- Have had federal income tax withheld from your pay
- Made estimated tax payments
- Qualify to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
Do you need to file a Tax Return?
Here’s how to figure out if you should file a tax return this year:
- Look at your income to see if you made the minimum required to file a tax return
- Decide which filling status is best for you (you may be required to file a tax return depending on your filing status, income and age)
- Find out if you qualify to claim certain credits and deductions to lower the amount of tax you owe
- If you’re retired, find out if your retirement income is taxable
- Use the interactive Tax Assistant to see if you need to file
Benefits of filling a Tax Return
Get Money Back
Get money back. in some cases, you may get money back when you file your tax return. For example, if your employer withheld taxes from your paycheck you may be owned a refund when you file your taxes.
Avoid Interest and Penalties
Avoid Interest and Penalties. You may avoid interest and penalties by filing an accurate tax return on time and paying any tax you owe in the right way before the deadline. Even if you can’t pay, you should file on time or request an extension to avoid owing more money.
Protect Your Credit
Protect your credit. You may avoid having a lien placed against you when you file an accurate tax return on time and pay any tax you owe in the right way before the deadline. Liens can damage your credit score and make it harder for you to get a loan.
Apply For Financial Aid
Apply for financial aid. An accurate tax return can make it easier to apply for help with education expenses.
Build your Social Security Benefits
Build your social security benefits. Claiming your self employment income on your return ensures that it will be included in your benefit calculation.
Get an Accurate Picture of Your Income
Get an accurate picture of your income. When you apply for a loan, lenders will look at your tax return to figure your interest rate and decide if you can loan with a lower interest rate and better repayment terms.
Before you file a Second Tax Refund
Tax return typically won’t speed up your refund when filling the same, and lead to delays.
However, you should resubmit your tax return, electronically if possible, if all of these apply:
- You are due a refund
- You filed on paper more than 6 months ago
- Where’s my refund does not show that we received your return
Resubmit your tax return only if all of the items above apply to you.
When to Call us
Call us about your refund status only if Where’s My Refund directs you to contact us.
If your Refund is Delayed
Maybe your refund is delayed if your return needs corrections or extra review. If we need more information to process your return, we’ll contact by mail.
Using a mobile device
Need to file a form with a Digital Signature
We’ll temporarily allow digital signatures on certain forms that can’t be filled electronically.
What you should do: you can send us the following forms with digital signatures if they are postmarked from August 28, 2020, through October 31, 2023:
- Form 11-C, Occupational Tax and Registration Return for Wagering
- Form 637, Application For Registration (For certain excise tax activities)
- Form 706, U.S. Estate (and generation-skipping transfer) Tax Return
- Form 706-A, U.S. Additional estate tax return
- Form 706-GS, (D), Generation-skipping transfer tax return for distributions
- Form 706-GS, (D-1), Notification of distribution from a generation-skipping trust
- Form 706-GS(T), Generation-skipping transfer tax return for terminations
- Form 706-NA, U.S. Estate and generation-skipping transfer tax return
- Form 709, U.S. Gift and generation-skipping transfer tax return
- Form 730, Monthly tax return for wagers
- Form 1042, Annual withholding tax return for U.S. source income of foreign persons
- Forms 1066, U.S. income tax return for real estate mortgage investment conduit
- Form 1120-C, U.S. Income tax return for cooperation associations
- Form 1120-FSC, U.S. Income tax return of a foreign sales cooperation
- Form 1120-H, U.S. Income tax return for homeowners associations
- Form 1120-IC DISC, Interest charge domestic international sales cooperations return
- Form 1120-L, U.S. Life insurance company income tax return
- Form 1120-ND, Return for nuclear decommissioning funds and certain related persons
- Form 1120-PC, U.S. Property and casualty insurance company income tax return
- Form 1120-REIT, U.S. Income tax return for real estate investment trusts
- Form 1120-RIC, U.S. Income tax return for regulated investment companies
- Form 1128, Application to adopt, change or retain a tax year
- Form 2678, Employer/Payer appointment of agent
- Form 3115, Application for change in accounting method
- Form 3520, Annual return to report transactions with foreign trusts and receipt of certain foreign gifts
- Form 3520-A, Annual information return of foreign trust with a U.S. owner
- Form 4421, Declaration-executor’s commissions and attorney’s fees
- Form 4768, Application for extension of time to file a return and/or pay U.S. estate (and generation-skipping transfer) taxes
- Form 8038, Information return for tax exempt private activity bond issues
- Form 8038-G, Information return for tax exempt governmental bonds
- Form 8038-GC, Information return for small tax exempt governmental bond issues, leases, and installment sales
- Form 8283, Noncash charitable contributions
- Form 8453 series, Form 8878 series, and Form 8879 series, regarding IRS e-file signature authorization forms
- Form 8802, Application for U.S. residency certification
- Form 8832, Entity classification election
- Form 8971, Information regarding beneficiaries acquiring property from a decedent
- Form 8973, Certified professional employers organization/customer reporting agreement
- Elections made pursuant to internal revenue code section 83(b)
File a form 8802, Application for United States Residency certification
How long you may have to wait: Currently, the processing timeframe, is 15 weeks with the majority of applications being processed carrying received dates of May 2022. Delays can be processed upon application lack of information mostly duplicates personal income tax return. Other problems including missing pages on form 8802 and social security number difference.
If this occurs, we will send a letter containing the request missing information and temporary case on hold to allow for response. Exist many situations are not the answer received and case closed . To alleviate this lag, check the accuracy of information and transmission of all your evidence application.
The United States Residency Certification Program will temporarily accept a signed copy of the base (for example, page 2 of Form 1040, page 6 of Form 1120, page 5 of Form 1065, etc) in order to process the form 8802. The base return will be kept as part of the Form 8802 application and will not be forwarded for processing. The base return will be used to process the Form 8802, rather than requiring the taxpayer to submit a copy of their full return. By filling a signed copy of the base return with your Form 8802, you are attesting that you have previously filed the income tax return with the IRS as shown on the signed copy. This temporary deviation is effective April 4, 2022 and will continue for a pilot period of two years, after which, a determination will be made whether this deviation will be made permanent.
What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed. Whether you filed electronically or by paper, we will contact you by mail if we need more information, or we have a change to your return. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgment, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you are due a refund, filed on paper more than six months ago, and Where's My Refund? does not indicate we received your return, you should resubmit your tax return, electronically if possible.
Make sure it includes an original signature, and include all documents submitted with the original return. Otherwise, please do not file your tax return again. Check Where’s My Amended Return?, or view your account for possible updates.
Status of Processing Form 1040-X Amended Individual Tax Return: As of January 21, 2023, we had 439,000 unprocessed Form 1040-X. We are processing these returns in the order received and the current timeframe can be more than 20 weeks. Please don’t file the same return more than once . Taxpayers should continue to check Where’s My Amended Return? for the most up to date processing status available.