How to Find Your IRS Refund Status

If you're depending on your annual IRS refund check to pay the bills, it's important to know your refund status and when you'll be getting the check in the mail. Read the steps listed below and learn about how you can find out your IRS refund status.

  1. Compile the necessary information. In order to find out your IRS refund status, you will need to provide your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, your filing status (your marital status as selected on your tax return) and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. Whenever dealing with government documents, it's always advisable to keep all your documents properly filed for easy access and referral.
  2. Go to the IRS website. Visit the IRS website entitled "Where's My Refund?" to receive information about the status of your tax return. The online form will request the information that you have compiled. If you sent in your tax return via email, refund information should be available approximately 72 hours after you receive the receipt of acknowledgement. If you sent your tax return via the postal service, your information will be available after three to four weeks [source: IRS].
  3. Call the IRS hotline. In the event that the website says that you should have already received your refund or there is some other mistake, call the IRS Tax Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954, and speak to an IRS agent. Remember to have the same information required for the website on hand [source: IRS Tax Helper].

Keep in mind that "Where's My Refund?" and the IRS Hotline can only be used for information regarding your current tax refund. These resources will not have information about your amended tax return, your business tax return or an earlier tax return [source: IRS].

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