Where’s My Tax Refund? How to Track Your Refund Status and When to Expect It

Tax season is officially underway, kicking off on Monday, and with the introduction of the IRS’s new free Direct File service, more people may be opting to file their own taxes this year.

During the 2023 tax season, the IRS processed 163,515,000 tax returns, with the average refund amounting to $3,170—slightly higher than the previous year’s average of $3,145.

With rising inflation affecting everyday essentials, from eggs to fuel, many Americans are hoping for a larger refund this year. And just like checking a food delivery status right after placing an order, taxpayers are eager to track when their refund will arrive.

Fortunately, the IRS offers a tool designed for this purpose. The "Where’s My Refund?" service allows taxpayers to monitor the progress of their refund, from the moment their return is received to when their payment is issued.

What Is ‘Where’s My Refund?’ and How Does It Work?

The "Where’s My Refund?" tool is an IRS tracking system that provides real-time updates on the status of tax refunds. Users can access the system via the IRS website or through the IRS2Go mobile app.

Once logged in, refund statuses are updated once per day, typically overnight. The tool displays one of the following three statuses:

• Return Received – The IRS has received your tax return and is currently processing it.
• Refund Approved – The refund has been approved, and a disbursement date will be provided.
• Refund Sent – The IRS has issued the refund via direct deposit or check. Direct deposit refunds may take up to five days to appear in a bank account, while mailed checks could take several weeks to arrive.

How to Use ‘Where’s My Refund?’

To check refund status, taxpayers need to visit www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund or download the IRS2Go app, available in English and Spanish on Google Play, the Apple App Store, and Amazon.

When signing in, users must provide:

• Their Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Their filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, etc.)
• The exact dollar amount of their expected refund for 2024

Refund status updates are available based on filing method:

• 24 hours after e-filing a current-year return
• 3-4 days after e-filing a prior-year return
• 4 weeks after submitting a paper return

For those tracking an amended tax return, a separate tool is available at www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return.

Key Tax Season Deadlines to Remember

The IRS began accepting tax returns on January 27, marking the official start of tax season. While the April filing deadline seems far away, it often arrives quicker than expected.

This year, the IRS has also introduced Direct File, a free service available in 25 states. Eligibility depends on income, with limits set at:

• $200,000 for single filers
• $250,000 for married couples filing jointly
• $125,000 for married couples filing separately

Important Tax Dates for 2024

• January 31 – Deadline for employers to issue W-2 forms and certain 1099s, such as 1099-NEC for self-employed individuals.
• February 18 – Deadline for claiming exemption from withholding by submitting a new W-4 to employers.
• April 15 – Tax Day: The deadline for filing federal and most state tax returns, requesting an extension, and making HSA/IRA contributions for the 2024 tax year.

For those who file electronically, refunds are typically processed within 21 days. Paper filers, however, may need to wait six to eight weeks after the IRS receives their return.