If you’re wondering when your federal tax refund will arrive in your bank account, you’re not alone. In fiscal year 2024, the IRS estimated that about 117.6 million taxpayers were owed refunds totaling $461.2 billion. That’s a lot of money sitting with Uncle Sam.
Want to know when you’ll get back what you overpaid in federal taxes? Of course. Here’s how to find out.
Although IRS.gov says that most refunds are processed within 21 days of receiving a return, there are many variables that can affect refund processing times.
If you file electronically and opt for direct deposit, your tax return will likely be processed quickly (note: the IRS no longer issues refunds via paper check). But if you file a paper return by mail and claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), your individual tax return could take longer to process (these refunds won’t be issued until March 2 or later).
The easiest way to know when your money might show up is to check the status of your refund with the IRS. Here’s where to go and what additional information you might need to check the status of your return.
You will need some data, including:
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Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
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Marital status for filing purposes (single, married, joint filer, etc.)
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Exact refund amount listed on your return
You will also be asked to identify which fiscal year you want to track refunds for. Whether it was last year or several years ago, make sure you have all your tax forms in order.
You can access your online account with the IRS by providing the information above in Where’s My Refund? or through the IRS2Go mobile app. Status tracking must be available within 24 hours of electronically filing a tax return or up to four weeks after submitting a paper return.
Here are the status updates you can receive as you track your federal tax return and what each one means.
This status simply means that the IRS has formally received your return. Stay calm and wait for more information.
Your return has been processed and a refund is pending. Once the funds are available and have been sent, your status will be updated.
Good news. Your refund was deposited directly into the account you specified or you received a paper check in the mail. Please note that once the IRS sends the funds, the transfer could still take up to five business days to post in your bank account.
If additional review is required or you need to submit an amended return, you’ll find further instructions included along with your refund status on the IRS refund tracker.
Read more: Wondering what to do with your tax refund? 5 ways to spend it wisely.
While there may be some bumps in the road that make tax season difficult, there are easy ways to avoid a delayed refund. Below are common reasons tax professionals say could delay your refund and what you can do about it.
1. Your tax return has errors or is incomplete.
If you make a mistake or leave any information blank, the IRS may ask you to file an amended return. Don’t panic. This does not always mean that you will be audited. It simply means that your return is pending and requires additional review.
2. You are claiming the Earned Income Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.
These tax credits may take longer to process because the IRS cannot legally distribute these refunds until mid-February. If you claim these credits and file early in tax season, the IRS says you can expect a refund in early March.
3. Filed a paper return.
If you still use the mail to send your federal tax return, you will likely cause delays in your refund, which will be exacerbated if you opt for a paper check instead of direct deposit.
4. You have been a victim of identity theft or fraud.
There is a small chance that a delayed refund is a sign that you have been a victim of identity theft or tax fraud. See the IRS’s identity theft guide for individual taxpayers to learn what next steps you should take.
Read more: Free Tax Filing: How to File Your 2025 Return for Free
Unlike passports or lines at Disneyland, there is no fee you can pay or any specific action you can take to speed up the processing of your tax return. However, by carefully reviewing your return, submitting it electronically, and choosing direct deposit, you can reduce friction in the process and minimize delays in receiving your refund.
While you can’t use the IRS tool to track your state tax return, many states offer similar trackers on their Department of Revenue websites, which you can find linked to at the Federation of Tax Administrators. You’ll need similar information to track your state tax return, including your Social Security number, tax year, filing status, and the exact refund amount.
There are some signs that it might be time to contact the IRS about a delayed tax refund. First of all, the Where is my refund tracker? on the official website may tell you to call the IRS. You should also call if it has been more than 21 days since you filed your return electronically or more than six weeks since you mailed a federal tax return.
You can contact the IRS for questions about your federal tax refund at 800-829-1954 (toll-free) or call 800-829-1040 to speak with a representative.