How to Find Out When I Will Receive My Tax Rebate
Waiting on your tax return check can be like waiting for water to boil. If you filed your tax return electronically, you can check its status 7 days after filing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can also expect a refund in 3 weeks. If you filed a paper tax return, you must wait 4 to 6 weeks before checking on the status of your refund to allow time for processing. However you filed your tax return, you can check to find out the status of your refund via the Internet or by phone.
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Things You'll Need
- A copy of your recent tax return. This can either be a paper copy or one saved online.
- A computer with Internet access or a telephone.
- Your social security number or IRS taxpayer identification number. Use the number you used to file your return. If you filed "married-jointly," you can use the husband's or wife's number to check on the status of the return. You can find your tax identification number on the copy of your tax return: On a 1040-page one, upper right hand corner; on a 1040A-page one, upper right hand corner; on an 1040EZ- page one, upper right hand corner.
- Your filing status: single, married--filing jointly, married--filing separate, head of household, qualifying widower
- Refund amount. You must know the exact whole dollar amount shown on your tax return you are owed. You may not get the correct response if the amount is entered incorrectly.
Instructions
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Log onto the IRS website: www.irs.gov.
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Click on the "Individuals" tab on the main page of the website.
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Click on the link titled "Where's My Refund Home."
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Follow the subsequent link "Where's My Refund."
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Enter social security number or tax identification number in the boxes provided.
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Check your filing status. Where to find your filing status on the copy of your tax return: If you filed a form 1040 or 1040A, your status will be on page 1, boxes 1-5; if you filed a form 1040 EZ, your status is either "single" or "married, filing jointly."
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Enter the exact whole dollar amount shown on your tax return. Where to find your refund amount on the copy of your tax return: Form 1040 amount found on line 73a, Form 1040A amount found on line 45a, and Form 1040EZ amount found on line 12a.
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Click on the submit button and wait for results, which may take a few seconds or minutes to load. The status of your refund check, when it was mailed or deposited into your bank account will appear on screen, or you will be advised accordingly that your information has not yet been processed.
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If you want a record of the information, click the Print button to print the page for your records.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have Internet access, you can call the IRS directly. The phone number is 1-800-829-1954. Make sure you have your social security or tax identification number, filing status and correct refund amount ready before you call.
If your refund was lost, stolen or destroyed, you can perform a refund trace through the IRS website. This trace can be initiated 28 days after the IRS mailed your refund. You can also call the IRS to perform a trace at 1-800-829-1954.
The fastest way to receive a tax refund is by filing electronically. You can file electronically for free on the IRS website.
If you have moved and the post office was unable to deliver your refund check, you can change your address on the IRS website or call 1-800-829-1954 to request a change of address. The wrong address is the Number 1 reason tax returns are late.
The IRS never sends e-mails requesting personal information or information about your refund check. Do not reply if you receive a message claiming to be from the IRS asking for this information. Report suspicious emails to the IRS by phone.
Once you have finished checking your status on the IRS website, make sure you log out and close your browser so your privacy is protected, especially on public computers.
