This week we worked on finalizing tax returns, and one of the most frequent questions I received was related to how to track the status of the tax refunds. As promised to my clients, I prepared this newsletter with information on tracking these tax refunds.
You can use the Where’s My Refund? tool to start checking on the status of refund 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed tax return. Currently, the IRS is experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing as a result of COVID-19.
The IRS is processing tax returns, issuing refunds, and accepting payments. If you filed a paper tax return and expected a refund, you may experience a significant delay beyond the typical time frame of four to six weeks from the time they mailed the return. The IRS will process these returns in the order received, and there is no need to file a second tax return or call the IRS.
You can access the Where’s My Refund? tool two ways:
- Visiting IRS.gov
- Downloading the IRS2Go app
To use the tool, you will need:
- Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Tax filing status
- The exact amount of the refund claimed on their tax return
The tool displays progress in three phases:
- Return received
- Refund approved
- Refund sent
This tool is updated once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so there’s no need to check the status more often.
Where’s My Refund? follows a tax return from receipt to completion. It will tell you when your return is in received status and if the refund is approved or sent. When the status changes to approved, it means the IRS is preparing to send it as a direct deposit to the taxpayer’s bank account or directly to you in the mail by check to the address used on your return. You should wait five days after the IRS sends the refund as a direct deposit to check with your bank. It could take several weeks before it is received by mail.
If you filed an amended return, should check out the Where’s My Amended Return? Tool.
If, after using these tools, you still have problems tracking your tax refund, please call our office at (305) 443-1068. We’ll be glad to assist you with the status of Your Tax Refund.
We Keep Our Promise!
Julio & Staff Members.
Written by: Julio Jiron, CPA
