How to Check Your Refund Date From the IRS

Checking the status of your tax refund is easy.

Once you have filed your federal income taxes, you're anxious to receive your refund. The IRS provides an online tool that will give you the approximate date of your refund. Although the refunds are usually on time, the times may slow down the later in tax season you submit your refund. Electronic filing increases the speed of the refund's arrival. Signing up for automatic deposit will also speed up your refund's arrival, since electronic processing is much quicker than having a check mailed.

Things You'll Need

• Refund amount
• Filing status
• Social security number

Instructions

1. Go to IRS.gov. This is the official site and it will give you the best date for your refund. Refunds are issued on specific dates each week.

2. Click on the "Where's my refund?" icon. It will take you to a second page where you will need to click on the icon again.

3. Fill out the information requested. This includes your Social Security number, your filing status and your refund amount. Submit the answers

4. Note the date given by the IRS and check to see if you have received the deposit before you spend it. Sometimes the system is delayed and the date may be bumped back. If you do not receive your deposit on time verify your refund status again.

Tips & Warnings

• It can take up to a week from the time you electronically file your refund for the information to be on the IRS site. If it is not there yet check again in a few days.

• When you file electronically you should receive a confirmation email from the company you filed with as well as a statement that your tax return was accepted. After you have received the second email you may begin checking the status of your tax refund.

References

• Internal Revenue Services: Where's My Refund?
• H&R Block: Check Refund Status