‘Where is my refund?’ – How to track it and when you can expect your money

The tax season is here, and one of the most common questions that Americans ask is: “Where is my refund?”

Whether you are eagerly waiting for the deposit or wondering if something went wrong, here is everything you need to know about tracking your tax refund, what can delay it and when you can expect your money.

To check the status of your tax refund

What we know:

IRS makes it easy to track your refund through its “Where is my refund?” site and via IRS2GO Mobile App. To check your refund status in just three steps:

Step 1: Collect your information

Before checking your status, you need:

• Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual taxpayer’s identification number (ITIN)
• Your Filing status (Simple, married archiving in common, etc.)
• The Exactly dollar amount of your expected refund from your tax return from 2024

Step 2: Use IRS Tracking Tools

Visit Irs.gov/refunds or open IRS2GO app. If you e-archived your return, you can check your status Within 24 hours. If you sent a paper return, wait At least four weeks Before tracking.

Step 3: Understand your Refund Status

When you enter your information you will see one of three statuses:

• Return received – The IRS has your return and treats it.
• Refund approved – Your return is processed and your refund is on the way.
• Refund sent – The IRS has issued your refund, but it can take up to five days to show up in your bank account.

Where is my refund?

What is the next one:

If you e-file and select Direct depositare you likely to receive your refund Within 21 days. Paper Filers Waiting Much Longer – Expect Delays of Six weeks or more.

• Fastest Refund go to taxpayers who E-file and choose Direct deposit.
• Slowest refund happen when taxpayers Mail paper returns or request a Paper Check.

Example Timeline:

If you e-archived your return January 27you could see your refund as early as February 17th—Asume no delays.

EITC & ACTC Refund Delays

If you claimed Earned income tax credit (EITC) or Additional Child Cat Credit (ACTC)IRS Cannot Issue your refund before mid -February Due to the Prevention of Fasting. Agency estimates that these refunds should hit accounts on March 3rd.

What can delay your tax refund?

While most refund arrives smoothly, certain factors can cause delays:

• Error or incomplete information – A missing SSN, incorrect filing status or math error can mark your return for review.
• Paper returns – These take significantly longer For treatment compared to e-archived returns.
• EITC or ACTC requirements – by law, IRS bowl Keep repayments with these credits until at least mid -February.
• Identity theft or fraud – If your return is marked for potential fraud, you can expect a delay while the IRS verifies your identity.
• Pro Tip: Double control of your return for errors before submitting to avoid unnecessary treatment delays.

How to accelerate your tax refund

While there is no magic way to speed up your refund, you can Avoid delays by:

• Filing electronically – Paper Return takes weeks longer to process.
• Selection of direct deposit – The fastest and safest refund method.
• Check for errors – Small errors can cause major delays.

When to call the IRS:

If it has been More than 21 days Since you e-filmed (or Six weeks For sent returns) and you still have not received your refund, call the IRS on 1-800-829-1954.

Tax Refunds in 2025: Lower Taxes, Larger Refund?

By the numbers:

This year are many taxpayers could see greater refund Due to alignment of tax inflation, increased standard deductions and extended eligibility to IRS Direct file program.

IRS Direct file is expanded to 25 states

In 2025 IRS is expanding its free Direct file Program to 25 Stateshelps eligible taxpayers to file their returns faster and potentially Save on tax preparation fees.

New States Added for 2025: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.

Existing States: Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.

Do you get a stimulus check?

IRS also sends out $ 1,400 stimulus payments to eligible taxpayers who did not receive their 2021 Covid Relief Checks. If you think you owe money you need to archive one Recovery Discount Credit by April 15, 2025.

The bottom line

SKAT Refund is usually processed within 21 days for e-filers but can take Six weeks or longer to paper return. The best way to track your refund is through Where is my refund? Tool or IRS2GO app. If you are experiencing delays, check for errors, make sure you have submitted electronically and Be patient–Refunds may take longer if you claimed certain credits.

Visit for the latest updates Irs.gov/refunds.

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