WASHINGTON, D.C. — With tax season underway and millions of refunds sent out each week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) advises taxpayers to make use of the upgraded “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. Designed to streamline the refund process, the tool now offers more dynamic and comprehensive information than ever before.
The enhanced “Where’s My Refund?” tool now provides taxpayers with three significant pieces of information: confirmation of receipt of federal tax return, approval of the tax refund, and issuing date of the approved refund. The tool includes information for the tax years 2021, 2022, and 2023, making it a holistic resource for many taxpayers.
As part of the IRS’s weekly Tax Time Guide series, the remodeled tool is in the spotlight. The IRS underscores its power to equip taxpayers with vital refund status details, all without needing to contact the agency. This revamped tool is a result of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act that paved the path for numerous IRS technological advancements envisioned to assist taxpayers and overhaul agency operations.
The enhancements to “Where’s My Refund?” substantially lessen the need for taxpayers to call the IRS. Features include easy-to-understand refund status updates, seamless access on mobile devices via the IRS2Go app, and notifications if the IRS requires more information.
To use this tool, taxpayers must input their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of their expected refund from the original tax return for the year they are checking.
After the IRS acknowledges receipt of a return, refund status information is usually available within 24 hours for a 2023 e-filed tax return, three to four days for a 2022 or 2021 e-filed tax return, and four weeks after mailing a paper return.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that “Where’s My Refund?” is updated once a day, so there’s no rush to check more often. The quickest way to receive a refund is by filing electronically and opting for direct deposit.
Several factors can impact the timing of your refund delivery. For instance, an incomplete or erroneous return may require additional scrutiny or corrections to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit. The processing times can also differ between the IRS issuing the refund and the bank transferring it to the account.
When more information is needed to process a return, the IRS will contact taxpayers by mail. “Where’s My Refund?” will also advise taxpayers when they should directly contact the IRS.
In cases where a taxpayer’s refund is different from the expected sum, it could be due to changes made by the IRS. This can include corrections to the Child Tax Credit or EITC amounts or an offset to cover past-due tax or debts.
For all things related to filing a tax return, the IRS urges taxpayers to visit IRS.gov. Taxpayers can find tips on selecting a tax professional, using the Free File system, answers to common tax questions, and tips on filing a return.
Keep in mind, taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit typically receive their refund in less than 21 days. For those without a bank account, options for opening an account at an FDIC-insured bank or via the National Credit Union Locator Tool are available.
Do note that refund information for amended tax returns will not be available on “Where’s My Refund?”. For these cases, use “Where’s My Amended Return?” to check the status.
As a reminder, the tax filing deadline for most taxpayers is Monday, April 15.
The IRS continues to work on tools like “Where’s My Refund?”, providing taxpayers with resources designed to simplify and demystify the tax filing process.
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