The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where's My Refund? 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.
If it's being manually processed it means we're checking the information you've provided on your return. This could mean we're checking with your employer, bank, and other government agencies to confirm what you've reported is correct.
Electronically filed original returns are generally processed within 21 days. We're currently processing paper returns received during the months below.
Most refunds will be issued in less than 21 days. You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you have e-filed your return. Refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight. Remember, the fastest way to get your refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit.
Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, it's possible your tax return may require additional review that may take longer to process.
If a taxpayer receives the status update that their tax return was accepted but not approved, this means that the IRS has received their tax return, but they have not yet evaluated the information. Therefore, the taxpayer must wait to see if more action is required.
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.
An incomplete return, an inaccurate return, an amended return, tax fraud, claiming tax credits, owing certain debts for which the government can take part or all of your refund, and sending your refund to the wrong bank due to an incorrect routing number are all reasons that a tax refund can be delayed.
Check or money order payments may take up to three weeks to appear. Debit or credit card payments will appear 1-2 days after your payment date.
Sometimes, refunds can be issued in as little as 10 days. However, paper filed returns may take four weeks or more due to manual processing.
Many different factors can affect the timing of a refund after the IRS receives a return. A manual review may be necessary when a return has errors, is incomplete or is affected by identity theft or fraud.
'The best way to get your refund fast'
During fiscal 2022, some 93.8% of individual taxpayers filed electronic returns, according to the IRS. Filing electronically and selecting direct deposit is the best way to get your refund fast.
Typically, the refund process takes around 20-45 days after the e-verification of the income tax return. However, if the acknowledgement has been sent physically to the CPC, it may take longer. Demand determined: This means additional tax is payable.
If the tracker status on the WMR tool changes from the PATH refund status to the processing message, this is a sign that your tax return is on track to be approved for a refund and no discrepancies in your filed information have been detected.
Check your federal tax return status online
If you are receiving a tax refund, check its status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool. You can view the status of your refund for the past 3 tax years.
If the IRS decides that your return merits a second glance, you'll be issued a CP05 Notice. This notice lets you know that your return is being reviewed to verify any or all of the following: Your income. Your tax withholding.
You may call us toll-free at 800-829-1040, M - F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Generally, if the financial institution recovers the funds and returns them to the IRS, the IRS will send a paper refund check to your last known address on file with the IRS.
If the IRS is reviewing your return, it may have questions about your wages and withholding, or credits or expenses shown on your tax return. The review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.
Processing times
Some tax returns need extra review for accuracy, completeness, and to protect taxpayers from fraud and identity theft. Returns that fall into this category can take longer to process. Disaster-related returns may take longer to process than tax returns not claiming disaster relief.
It takes approximately 6 weeks for us to process an accurately completed past due tax return.
What happens after I successfully verify? We'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account. However, if we find other problems, we'll contact you again and this may delay your refund.
Once accepted, it can take anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks (21 days) to go from acceptance to approval, and this timeframe is unrelated to how, where, or when you filed, nor is it connected to how quickly you got your refund last year. If your refund is still processing, it has not been approved.
When your taxes are under review, it's normal to wonder if you'll still get your refund. The answer is, it depends. If your information checks out, your refund will be processed. If there's a discrepancy, and you've incorrectly reported, you may end up owing instead of receiving a refund.