How to Track a Federal Tax Return

If you've filed your Federal Tax return electronically (e-filed) and you're curious to know where in the process your return is currently residing, you can use the IRS "Where's My Return" website to track down the current status of your return. The refund system typically begins working within 72 hours from the time you receive your federal "e-return" acceptance email. The "Get Refund Status" page is available via the official IRS website and is a simple single page entry screen.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Social Security Number
• Federal Filing Status
• Whole Dollar Amount Of Your Return (as reported by you to the IRS)

Using The IRS "Where's My Refund" Page

1. Wait for the IRS to send you your "e-file" acceptance email. Typically this email will arrive within 72 hours from the time you file your return (if there are no errors found on your tax filing).

2. 

   Gather the following information: your social security number, your filing status (Single, Married-Filing Jointly, Married-Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, Qualifying Widow), and the amount of your federal return (exact whole dollar amount of your return).

3. Enter in your social security number, filing status and whole dollar tax amounts in the fields provided (as in the screenshot shown above).

4. Press the "Submit" button and allow the screen to process your request. It may take up to two minutes to receive your status.

5. Examine the "Status" section. This will typically state "in process" or provide you with an "expected" return date. Please note that the date is only the expected date and while typically accurate it is not a definitive date.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need over the phone assistance, you can find the IRS contact number in the link provided in the resources section on this page.

References

• IRS - Official Page
• IRS

Resources

• IRS - Get Refund Status - Official Page
• IRS Contact Information