Where’s My Refund?

IRS, Tax 0

17th March, 2021

The IRS has a tool to help find out the status of your refund.  Click on “Where’s My Refund” portal.

The online tool will show the status of your tax refund within 24 hours after the IRS receives your e-filed return or four weeks after a paper return is mailed.  In most cases, it will tell you that your tax refund has either been:

• Received (the IRS has your tax return and is processing it);
• Approved (the IRS is preparing to send your refund to your bank or directly to you in the mail); or
• Sent (the money is on its way).

In some cases, if the IRS is still reviewing your return, the tool may display instructions or an explanation of what the IRS is doing.  Once your refund is processed and approved, the tool will give you an estimated date when you will get your payment.

If your refund is being deposited into your bank account, wait at least five days after the IRS sends the payment before contacting your bank to check on it.  Some banks will credit funds more quickly than others.If you are getting a paper check, it could take a few weeks before you receive it in the mail.

If you want to speed up the refund process, e-file your 2020 tax return and select the direct deposit payment method.  That is the fastest way.  Paper returns and checks slow things down considerably.