Wheres My Refund, an online tool, tracks the payment
of ConsumerAffairsMillions of Americans have already filed their federal income tax returns and many are eagerly awaiting their refunds. The Internal Revenue Service is reminding these taxpayers there is an easy way to track the status of those payments.
The tool is called Wheres My Refund? It provides an easy, fast, and secure way for taxpayers to confirm receipt of their return and track their refund status without calling the IRS.
For taxpayers who file electronically, refund status updates are typically available within 24 hours of filing. However, those who file paper returns should expect to wait about four weeks before the tool provides an update.
The "Wheres My Refund?" tool is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days week through the IRS website and the IRS2Go mobile app, which also offers additional tax assistance and payment options. The tool can provide refund details for tax years 2024, 2023, and 2022.
What you need to check your refund status
To use "Wheres My Refund?", taxpayers must provide the following information:
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Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
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Filing status (e.g., single, married filing jointly)
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Exact refund amount as shown on the tax return
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The IRS updates refund statuses once per day, usually overnight, so taxpayers dont need to check multiple times a day.
Refund delivery and potential delays
Most taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit will receive their refund within 21 days. Those without a bank account can explore options to open one through FDIC-insured banks or credit unions.
However, several factors may cause delays in receiving a refund, including:
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Errors or missing information on the tax return
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Corrections to credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)
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Bank processing times that affect deposit dates
If additional information is needed, the IRS will contact taxpayers by mail. Those who need to inquire about their refund by phone or in person can only do so if:
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21 days have passed since e-filing
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Six weeks have passed since mailing a paper return
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The "Wheres My Refund?" tool instructs them to contact the IRS
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Changes in Refund Amounts
In some cases, the IRS may adjust a taxpayers refund amount due to corrections related to tax credits or offsets for past-due taxes and debts. Taxpayers can find more details about reduced refunds at IRS.gov.
The deadline for most taxpayers to file their 2024 tax return, pay any owed taxes, or request an extension is April 15.
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Posted: 2025-03-10 14:25:16
