How to Check Your Federal Tax Refund Status
You've filed your federal tax return, but you want to know how long it will it take to get your refund. You can find the status of your federal tax refund with the Internal Revenue Service online, over the phone or with a smartphone app. Have your federal tax return handy when you request your refund status, because you will need to enter in some information from the return.
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Instructions
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Use the IRS' free website called "Where's My Refund?" where you can check the status of your federal tax refund. If you file your taxes electronically, you can check the status of your federal tax refund 72 hours after the IRS sends acknowledgement of their receipt. If you mail in your taxes, you will have to wait three to four weeks to check your federal tax refund status.
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Call the IRS Refund Hotline at (800) 829-1040 to get your federal tax refund status if you do not have access to the Internet, or do not feel comfortable using the Internet.
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Get the IRS2Go app to check your federal tax refund status.
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Provide your Social Security number, your filing status and the exact amount of your federal tax refund. Once you have entered the above information, you will be provided with an estimate of when you can expect to receive your federal tax refund.
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Update your address if your inquiry shows that the post office was unable to deliver your federal tax refund. You can update your address on the IRS website.
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Tips & Warnings
If 28 days have passed since the date that the IRS mailed out your federal tax refund, as shown on the "Where's My Refund" website, you have the option to start a federal tax refund trace online.
The IRS never initiates email, so beware of any email you receive claiming to be from the IRS.
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