IRS tax refund, you can use the "Where's My Refund?" tool available on the IRS website or through the IRS2Go mobile app.

IRS tax refund, you can use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool available on the IRS website or through the IRS2Go mobile app.

With tax season in full swing, the IRS expects to receive nearly 140 million tax returns before the April 15 deadline. About two-thirds of these filings will result in taxpayers receiving a refund.

The time it takes to receive a refund depends on several factors. Those who file electronically and opt for direct deposit typically receive their refund within 21 days, provided there are no complications. Taxpayers who file paper returns or choose not to use direct deposit may have to wait 6-8 weeks.

Refunds for those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) will be delayed until at least March 3 due to verification processes required by the PATH Act. If any problems arise, the IRS will notify taxpayers by mail.

Tracking Your Refund

The IRS provides a “Where’s My Refund” tool to check refund status, which updates once daily, overnight. Checking multiple times a day will not provide new information. To track a refund, taxpayers will need:

Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Filing status
Exact refund amount

This tool provides one of three statuses:

Return Received – The IRS has received the tax return and is processing it.
Refund Approved – The refund has been approved and will be issued on the date indicated.
Refund Sent – The refund has been sent via direct deposit or mail. Direct deposits can take up to five days to arrive in a bank account, while mailed checks can take several weeks.