You filed your tax return and you’re expecting a refund. You have just one question and you want the answer now – Where’s My Refund? If you file a paper return it will take six to eight weeks after the IRS receives your return. File electronically and you’ll get the refund in half that time. Using direct deposit speeds things up significantly. If you filed a paper return you completed without tax preparation software, you’re chances of making an error increase substantially and that could delay your refund.
You can check on the status of your refund at IRS.gov via the “Where’s My Refund?” link. Refund information for the most current tax year that you filed will generally be available 72 hours after the acknowledged receipt of your e-filed return, or three to four weeks after mailing a paper return.
To get to your personal refund information, be ready to enter your:
- Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
- Filing status
- Exact refund amount shown on your return