How to Check Tax Refund Status? And How Does it Work?

Most of us are done with filing our income tax returns. Some have done it electronically, some via post. However, each one of us can check our tax refund status on the IRS official website. On the top of the page, the link ‘Where’s My Refund’ directs you to the area where you can check the status.

Probably everyone know this. But When can I check it, and how does it work?

You must enter the area ‘Where’s My Refund’ only if you have filed your tax returns (1040/1040A/1040EZ). If you have already filed it, you will have to fill up a form that asks for basic personal information including Social Security, address, tax receipt numbers, and so on. It will process your information and display the result (when your refund would be sent) within minutes.

The method of filing tax returns determines the time it takes to receive your refund. If you have filed it online, you can check the status within 72 hours of filing it. In case of mail, however, it takes around 3-4 weeks to get the result displayed.

The timeline provided by IRS is general, and may not be applicable to all. It may take more days to display your status online. Besides, this system displays return status that were filed in the current year, and last six months of the previous year.

What Information Would the System Ask For, In Order to Display Tax Refund Status?

If you want to know your refund status, you will have to provide the following information:

• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or Social Security Number
• The amount of refund written on return receipt
• Status of tax filed (type of tax filed)

Don’t fret if you can’t find any of the above mentioned information. The tax return and the tool provides information on where to find it.

The process sounds simple. However, does this website provides information on all types of tax refund status?

This tool doesn’t provide information on all types of taxes, and it cannot be used by every individual. For instance, if you have filed Form 4010X (amendments) or business tax, you wouldn’t be able to view your tax refund status.

If you have filed your tax returns through mail, it would take around 6 weeks to get it processed and reach your mailbox. However, if you have done it online, you can check the status in 3 days and receive checks within 3 weeks.