How to Check Income Tax Refund

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sends out millions of tax refunds every year. The IRS has an online tool and hotline to help taxpayers track their refund checks or deposits. Refunds for the current tax year can be tracked within 72 hours after the IRS has acknowledged receipt of an e-filed return, or about three to four weeks after a paper return is received. The hotline can track payments beyond those dates.

Instructions

1. Go to IRS's Refund Status web page.

2. Enter in your social security number, filing status and expected refund amount (to the nearest whole dollar) in the corresponding fields.

3. Hit the "Submit" button. Information such as the refund amount, or amended amount, and expected date that the refund shall be mailed or deposited will be displayed.

Tips & Warnings

• Alternatively, you can check the status of your refund by calling the IRS' Refund Hotline at: 800-829-1954. You will then be asked to provide the social security number of you or your spouse, the filing status, and the amount of the refund you are expecting back to the IRS representative.

References

• IRS: Seven Things You Should Know About Checking the Status of Your Refund

Resources

• IRS: Refund Status