Where's My Refund?
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Once the IRS accepts an e-filed return, they do not provide us further information regarding when the refunds are mailed or direct deposited.

Where to check

  • E-file status:
  • Refund status:
    • IRS Where's My Refund? webpage (updates every 24 hours (usually overnight), so there is no need to check the site more than once a day)
    • TaxAct Express™ mobile app
    • Call the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954 or the IRS TeleTax System at 800-829-4477 for English or Spanish

What the online tool might tell you

  • Acknowledgment that the return was received and is being processed.
  • The mailing date or direct deposit date of the refund.
  • Notice that the IRS could not deliver a refund due to an incorrect address. In this case, the address can typically be changed online.

When to check

You can generally get initial refund information 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an e-filed return. For paper-filed returns, refund information will generally be available four weeks after mailing the return.

Refund checks are normally sent out weekly on Fridays (Direct Deposits from the IRS are released on Wednesdays and checks are mailed on Fridays, but it may take up to five additional days for the bank to process and deposit the funds). If you check the refund status and are not given an issuance date, please wait until the next week before checking back.

Information you need with you

When checking refund status, have the federal tax return handy. To get personalized refund information, you must enter:

  • Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
  • Filing status
  • Exact whole dollar refund amount shown on tax return

Related Links


Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the webpage or document at the time it is accessed.