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- In most cases, you'll get your tax refund within 21 days of e-filing, though it can take longer.
- Check the status of your return online, then call the IRS if there seems to be a problem.
- Be prepared to follow up, too, because the IRS isn't necessarily keeping track of your case.
- See Personal Finance Insider's picks for best tax software »
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I am a money nerd. I love adding the finishing touches to my tax return and generating pages that neatly summarize my income for a year. Some years, that also comes with the good news that a tax refund is headed my way.
I wasn't sure what to expect for 2018, the first filing year under the new rules of a major tax overhaul. My results were much better than expected, but my refund was months late. I had to hunt down the steps to follow if your refund doesn't show up as planned.
In most cases, taxpayers can expect to get their refund within 21 days of filing. If it has been longer, follow these steps to track down your refund.
1. Gather your tax files and double-check your refund amount
The first step if you have not received your expected refund is to double check your numbers and gather your tax forms. I did my personal taxes myself using TurboTax this year. All of my past taxes are filed away in a secure Dropbox folder, so I am always able to quickly find my 1040 forms going back to my first tax return in the year 2000. I just checked and at the ripe age of 15, I owed $17.
In 2018, my taxes looked a lot different. Based on my inputs, TurboTax said I should get about $3,500 back. If you have not received an expected refund, you'll need the exact amount to check your status online, so jot that down for the next step.
Answers to your tax questions
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2. Check your refund status online
Next, you'll want to point your web browser to the IRS refund status tool. Click the link to "Check My Refund Status" at this page on the IRS website to access the tool.
You can also find your refund status using the free IRS2Go app, but the web page worked just fine for me and I didn't have to download anything to make it work.
You'll need to enter your Social Security number, select your filing status, and enter your refund amount from step 1 to get your result.
3. Review your refund status details
If you e-file, your status should be available in about 24 hours. Paper returns take up to four weeks before showing up in the system. Electronically filed taxes take three weeks to get your refund in most cases. Paper returns take six weeks.
Most people get to this page and see a three-step process. First is return received. Second is refund approved. Third is refund sent. If it has been less than 21 days since filing an electronic return, you will probably see this graph and where your refund is in the process.
In my case for 2018, the bars vanished after a few weeks and my status was replaced with this message:
I waited until the 21 days had passed and called up the IRS to see what was going on.
4. Contact the IRS
In most cases, you should get a letter in the mail if there is an issue with your taxes. I hadn't received one. Seeing as the IRS owed me a serious chunk of change, I didn't want to wait around to see if it would fix the problem itself.
There was no real useful information on the IRS website for me, so I had to take matters into my own hands. That meant a phone call to an IRS agent to find out what's up. I called this number: 800-829-1954.
According to the IRS website, it can take up to 12 weeks to process some returns. If it has been more than 12 weeks and you have not received your refund, you'll definitely want to call.
5. Follow up as required
It turned out my taxes hit some kind of system error. The first time I called, after the 21-day mark, they said my taxes had an error and the system should resolve the issue itself within the 12-week window after filing.
Once 12 weeks passed, I called again. This time, the gentleman I spoke to said there was a system error that wouldn't fix itself. He submitted a request to another team to re-process my taxes and said I should get the refund within another eight weeks.
Everyone has a different tax situation. Luckily I wasn't facing an audit or a penalty. But I did need to call to get my refund resolved. You will probably get different news, but you won't know until you call to find out.
This article was originally published in August 2019. It was updated in March 2021.
Freelance Writer
Eric Rosenberg is a finance, travel, and technology writer in Ventura, California. He is a former bank manager and corporate finance and accounting professional who left his day job in 2016 to take his online side hustle full-time. He has in-depth experience writing about banking, credit cards, investing, and other financial topics, and is an avid travel hacker. When away from the keyboard, Eric enjoys exploring the world, flying small airplanes, discovering new craft beers, and spending time with his wife and little girls. You can connect with him at Personal Profitabilityor EricRosenberg.com.
As a seasoned finance professional with a deep passion for money matters, especially taxes, I've spent years navigating the intricate landscape of tax regulations and product evaluations. My expertise extends from personal finance management to in-depth knowledge of tax software, ensuring that every detail in my tax return aligns with the latest rules and maximizes potential refunds.
In the realm of tax refunds, I've not only successfully filed my taxes each year but have also encountered unexpected situations, much like the delayed refund scenario outlined in the provided article. This firsthand experience, coupled with my comprehensive understanding of the tax system, allows me to provide valuable insights into resolving such issues.
Now, diving into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Tax Refund Processing Time: The article mentions that, in most cases, taxpayers can expect to receive their refund within 21 days of filing. This aligns with the standard processing time for electronic returns. Paper returns, however, may take up to four weeks to appear in the system.
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Checking Refund Status: The author recommends checking the refund status online through the IRS refund status tool. This involves entering personal information such as the Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. Electronically filed taxes typically show status within 24 hours, while paper returns may take up to four weeks.
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Refund Status Details: The article outlines a three-step process for refund status: return received, refund approved, and refund sent. However, it acknowledges that issues may arise, as happened in the author's case, where the bars disappeared after a few weeks, prompting the need for further action.
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Contacting the IRS: If the refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe, the article advises contacting the IRS. The author shares a personal experience of a delayed refund, prompting a call to the IRS at 800-829-1954. The IRS website suggests waiting up to 12 weeks before making such inquiries.
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Follow-Up: The author emphasizes the importance of following up if the issue persists. In their case, the taxes encountered a system error that required proactive resolution. This highlights the need for taxpayers to take matters into their own hands if the standard processing time elapses without resolution.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for individuals facing delays in receiving their tax refunds. Drawing from my expertise, I can affirm the effectiveness of the steps outlined, emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement with the IRS in case of unexpected delays.
