Taxpayers 101: Checking the Status of Your Tax Refund

Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of the taxpayer’s e-filed return. The tool also provides a personalized refund date after the return is processed and a refund is approved.

The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on www.IRS.gov.


Taxpayers can access the “Where’s My Refund?” tool in two ways:

• Visiting the IRS.gov website
• Downloading the IRS2Go app

To use the tool, taxpayers will need:

• Their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number
• Tax filing status
• The exact amount of the refund claimed on their tax return

The tool shows progress in three phases:

• Return received
• Refund approved
• Refund sent

When the status changes to approved, this means the IRS is preparing to send the refund as a direct deposit to the taxpayer’s bank account or directly to the taxpayer in the mail, by check, to the address used on their tax return.

The IRS updates the “Where’s My Refund?” tool once a day, usually overnight, so taxpayers don’t need to check the status more often.

Taxpayers checking their refund status should allow time for their bank or credit union to post the refund to their account or for it to be delivered by mail. Calling the IRS won’t speed up a tax refund. The information available on “Where’s My Refund?” is the same information available to IRS telephone assistance.

Migration Resource Center Taxpayers Services

The Migration Resource Center staff has a team of tax consultants, tax attorneys, enrolled agents, and CPAs. We can assist you with tax planning as well as reducing taxes. In addition, we provide workshops on the Citizenship Interview and Test, Taxes, and Personal Finance. We offer workshops both online and in traditional classroom environments.

Contact Migration Resource Center Taxpayer Services now for assistance with your taxpayer concerns. Use our online form or call (646) 827-2959.