How to find out where is my tax refund

The IRS has made it easy to check the status of your income tax return online with their "Where's My Refund" web page. After providing some personal information, you can find out when it will arrive. TurboTax also has a Where's My Refund Tracking guide that explains each step of the efiling process and how to check the status of your federal tax refund. Wait at least three days after e-filing your tax return before checking a refund status.

When you e-file your tax return to the IRS, it needs approximately three days to update your information on the website. If you e-filed your tax return using TurboTax, you can check your e-file status online , to ensure it was accepted by the IRS. You'll also receive an e-mail confirmation directly from the IRS.

However, if you mail a paper copy of your tax return, the IRS recommends that you wait three weeks before you begin checking your refund status. Most taxpayers who e-file will receive their tax refund sooner. Before you sit down to check your refund status, the IRS requires that you have some of the information from your tax return.

When you access the "Where's My Refund? When you finish entering this information, click on the "Submit" button on the page to see the status of your refund.

You will need the same three pieces of information as those who use the online tool, so be sure you have a copy of your tax return available. Use TurboTax, IRS, and state resources to track your tax refund, check return status, and learn about common delays. Find your state below to go right to its tax refund tracker so you can find out where your state refund is. New Jersey. New Mexico. New York. North Carolina. North Dakota.

Rhode Island. South Carolina. West Virginia. In New Hampshire, regular income is generally not subject to state tax, but a flat tax rate applies to dividends and interest income. Here are four things that can help keep your "Where's my refund" worries under control. Avoid filing your tax return on paper. It's a myth that your IRS refund status will be "pending" for a long time and that the IRS takes forever to issue a refund.

In reality, you can avoid weeks of wondering "where's my refund? The IRS typically takes six to eight weeks to process paper returns. Instead, file electronically — those returns are processed in about three weeks.

State tax authorities also accept electronic tax returns, which means you may be able to get your state tax refund faster, too.

Get direct deposit. When you file your return, tell the IRS to deposit your refund directly into your bank account instead of sending a paper check.

That cuts the time in waiting for the mail and having to check your IRS refund status. Start tracking right away. Reality: You can track your IRS refund status; in fact, if you file using tax software or through a tax pro, you can start tracking your IRS refund status 24 hours after the IRS receives your return.

On mailed returns, you'll have to wait four weeks. If you're thinking 'Where's my state refund? Don't let things go too long. If you haven't received your tax refund after at least 21 days of filing online or six weeks of mailing your paper return, go to a local IRS office or call the federal agency check out our list of IRS phone numbers that could get you help faster.

It isn't corrected quickly, so you may be in for an even longer wait. What You Will Need fa-check. Social security number or ITIN. Your filing status. Your exact refund amount. Expect extended delays if you mailed your return or responded to an IRS Notice.

We update Where's My Refund daily, usually overnight.