IRS Where’s My Refund Explained

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Where’s My Refund is a tool on the IRS that you can use to check information about refunds. Before you use the tool, you need to know about it first and here is the explanation about IRS Where’s My Refund.

The Information Available on IRS Where’s My Refund Tool

As explained on the IRS site, you are able to start checking on the status of your refund in 24 hours after the IRS team has received your e-filed return or 4 weeks after you mail a paper return. A personalized refund date will be given by Where’s My Refund after the IRS team processes your return and approves your refund.

You will see that the tracker shows progress through three stages. Those are:

    • Return Received
    • Refund Approved
    • Refund Sent

If you want to use Where’s My Refund, you have to provide your Social Security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.

The Information That Is Not Available in IRS Where’s My Refund Tool

According to the IRS site, here is the information which is not available in the IRS Where’s My Refund Tool.

    • Amended Tax Returns
      On Where’s My Refund, there is no Refund information for Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. If you want to get the status of your amended return, you are able to use Where’s My Amended Return. IRS phone and walk-in representatives are able only to research the status of your amended return 16 weeks or more after you have mailed it.
    • Business Tax Return Information
      For getting information about refunds on federal tax returns other than Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, you are able to call, toll free, at 800-829-4933. If you are outside the U.S., you are able to call 267-941-1000
    • Prior Year Refund Information
      In the Where’s My Refund, you will see the status of your most recently filed tax return in the past two tax years. However, if you need the information about the refund amount for other years, you have to use Get Transcript.

How Long Will My Refund Information be Available?

According to the IRS site, here is the information about how long your refund information will be available.

    • If U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns are filed before July 1, it will be available around the second or third week in December.
    • If U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns are filed on or after July 1, it will be available throughout the following year until you file a tax return for a more current tax year.

Let’s say that your refund check was returned to the IRS team as undeliverable by the U.S. Post Office. If so, your refund information will remain available throughout the following year until you file a tax return for a more current tax year.

What to Do If My Refund Was Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed

As explained on the IRS website, usually you are able to file an online claim for a replacement check if it has been more than 28 days from the date the IRS team mailed your refund. You will be given the detailed information on Where’s My Refund about filing a claim if this situation applies to you.

Refund Updates and Refund Timing

According to the IRS site, here is the explanation about refund updates and refund timing. If you want to use the safest and fastest way to file an accurate return and receive a tax refund, you are able to file electronically and use direct deposit. Taxpayers are able to use Where’s My Refund to begin checking their refund status in 24 hours after an e-filed return is received or four weeks after a paper return is mailed by the taxpayer.

In the tool’s tracker, it will show progress through three phases, namely:

    • Return Received
      It means that the IRS now has your tax return and the IRS is working to process it.
    • Refund Approved
      It means that the IRS has processed your return and confirmed the total of your refund, if you are owed one.
    • Refund Sent
      It means that your refund is on its way to your bank through direct deposit or as a paper check which is sent to your mailbox.

How about refund timing? Usually, tax refunds are issued within 21 days, but it may take longer. Why does it happen? There are some reasons why it can take longer.

    • In the return, there is a claim for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.
    • The time between the IRS issuing the refund and the bank which posts it to an account may vary because there are a lot of banks which do not process payments on weekends or holidays.
    • The return may need additional review.
    • The return may include errors or it is not complete.
    • Identity theft or fraud could affect the return.

Taxpayers will be contacted by the IRS by mail if more information is needed to process a return.

Some FAQs About IRS Tax Season Refund

According to the IRS site, here are some FAQs about IRS tax season refunds.

    • How long will we get our refund?
      Answer: IRS team issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. However, it is possible that your tax return may need additional review and take longer. You can check it at What’s My Refund tool because it has the most up to date information available about your refund. More than 21 days is needed to issue refunds for some 2020 tax returns that need review. It includes incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit amounts or that used 2019 income to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).
    • Will calling the IRS help us get our refund any faster?
      Answer: The answer is no, unless you are directed to call the IRS by Where’s My Refund, representatives of IRS will not be able to provide any additional information. If you see that Where’s My Refund states that the IRS is still processing your return, representatives of the IRS will not be able to give you a specific refund date.
    • What kind of information does Where’s My Refund have?
      Answer: In the Where’s My Refund, you can see the information about the most recent tax year refund.
    • When can we begin checking Where’s My Refund for our refund’s status?
      Answer: 24 hours after the IRS has received your electronically filed tax return or 4 weeks after you have mailed a paper tax return.

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