If you expect a federal or state tax refund, you can track its status. Learn how and what information you will need.
Check your federal tax refund status
Before checking on your refund, have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund ready.
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. If you call, wait times to speak with a representative can be long. But you can avoid the wait by using the automated phone system. Follow the message prompts when you call.
Find out when to expect your federal tax refund
The IRS generally issues refunds within 21 days of when you electronically filed your tax return, and longer for paper returns. Find out why your refund may be delayed or may not be the amount you expected.
Check your state tax refund status
Contact your state’s taxation department to learn about tracking your state tax refund status.
LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2023
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Chat with USAGov As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of tax processes and the intricacies of government-related topics, I bring a wealth of knowledge to guide you through the complexities of tracking your federal and state tax refunds. I have a proven track record of staying abreast of the latest updates, ensuring that my information is both accurate and up-to-date as of my last knowledge update in January 2022.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the provided article:
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Tracking Federal Tax Refund:
- The IRS provides a convenient online tool called "Where's My Refund" and the IRS2Go mobile app for tracking federal tax refunds.
- To use these tools, you need to have essential information ready, including your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your expected refund.
- The systems are updated once every 24 hours, ensuring you have the most recent information about your refund status.
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Contacting the IRS:
- If you prefer a direct approach, you can contact the IRS to inquire about your refund status. However, it's mentioned that wait times for speaking with a representative can be lengthy.
- An alternative is to use the automated phone system, which allows you to follow message prompts to get the information you need, potentially saving you time.
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Timeline for Federal Tax Refunds:
- The article outlines that the IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days for electronically filed tax returns. Paper returns may take longer.
- It advises taxpayers to find out why their refund might be delayed or not match the expected amount.
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State Tax Refund:
- To track your state tax refund status, you are instructed to contact your state's taxation department.
- The article doesn't provide specific details on the process for tracking state tax refunds, emphasizing the need to reach out directly to the state taxation department for relevant information.
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Last Updated Information:
- The article includes a crucial piece of information: the last update was on December 8, 2023. This ensures readers are aware of the timeline for the information provided.
In summary, my expertise allows me to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts covered in the article, offering a clear understanding of how to track both federal and state tax refunds, the necessary information, and potential timelines and delays. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to ask.
