Check your federal or state tax refund status | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

How do I check the status of my Fed tax refund? ›

Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours. You can contact the IRS to check on the status of your refund.

Because the IRS is separate from your state's Department of Revenue, sometimes you will receive your federal refund before your state refund, or vice versa.

Look at the IRS2Go app on your phone

The IRS also has a mobile app called IRS2Go that works similarly to the "Where's My Refund?" website. The app, which you can download the app on any iOS or Android device, asks for several pieces of information to pull up your refund data: The tax year you're checking.

BFS will send you a notice if an offset occurs. The notice will reflect the original refund amount, your offset amount, the agency receiving the payment, and the address and telephone number of the agency. BFS will notify the IRS of the amount taken from your refund once your refund date has passed.

To use Where's My Refund?, taxpayers must enter their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, their filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of their refund. The IRS updates the tool once a day, usually overnight, so there's no need to check more often.

(updated December 22, 2023) We issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. However, if you mailed your return and expect a refund, it could take four weeks or more to process your return.

Federal has always come first and the state return usually a week or two after. Did something go wrong? Refunds usually take about 21 days after the IRS has accepted your e-filed return.

If your refund status shows "unavailable", you can find updates by checking the IRS website, using the IRS2Go mobile app, or calling the IRS refund hotline. These resources will provide you with the most up-to-date information on the status of your refund and any possible issues that may be delaying it.

does state take longer than federal? Yes, your state tax refund may be received after your federal refund due to the state return will not begin processing until after the federal return has been accepted.

How do you know when the IRS has approved your return? ›

tool on IRS.gov. 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. Taxpayers can access the Where's My Refund?

The IRS processes federal tax returns, while your state government processes the state tax returns. These are two different administrations that work independently of each other. So, it is common for you to receive your state tax refund before you receive your federal refund.

If you claimed 0 and still owe taxes, chances are you added “married” to your W4 form. When you claim 0 in allowances, it seems as if you are the only one who earns and that your spouse does not. Then, when both of you earn, and the amount reaches the 25% tax bracket, the amount of tax sent is not enough.

State laws commonly allow collection agencies to garnish your employment wages or levy your bank accounts. So, once your tax refund is deposited into your bank account, a collection agency may be able to take those funds.

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

When you electronically file your taxes, the IRS confirms each tax return with an Acknowledgement Record. It will either indicate “Accepted” or “Rejected.” A “Rejected” status will include a description of what needs to be fixed on the return. You'll have to re-file, but you won't have to pay again with 1040.com.

- You can start checking on the status of your return sooner - within 36 hours after you file your e-filed return or 4 weeks after a mailed paper return. It's Up-to Date! - It's updated every 24 hours - usually overnight -- so you only need to check once a day. There's no need to call IRS unless Where's My Refund?