Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: December 22, 2023
This article provides answers to frequently asked questions about tax refunds during the tax season. It covers topics such as refund offsets, processing times, refund status, and more.
Why is my refund different than the amount on the tax return I filed?
All or part of your refund may be offset to pay off past-due federal tax, state income tax, state unemployment compensation debts, child support, spousal support, or other federal nontax debts, such as student loans. If you suspect that your refund may have been offset or if you have any questions about an offset, please contact the agency to which you owe the debt.
In addition, your refund amount may have changed because the IRS made changes to your tax return. You will receive a notice explaining the changes. The "Where's My Refund?" tool will reflect a refund offset and a different refund amount if there have been changes to your tax return.
For more information about refund offsets, refer to Tax Topic 203, Refund Offsets for Unpaid Child Support, Certain Federal and State Debts, and Unemployment Compensation Debts.
How quickly will I get my refund?
In most cases, the IRS issues refunds in less than 21 calendar days. However, if you filed your return by mail, it could take four weeks or more to process your return. To get the most up-to-date information about your refund, use the "Where's My Refund?" tool.
I'm counting on my refund for something important. Can I expect to receive it in 21 days?
Many factors can affect the timing of your refund after the IRS receives your return. While most refunds are issued in less than 21 days, it is possible for your refund to take longer. Additionally, you should consider the time it takes for your financial institution to post the refund to your account or for you to receive it by mail.
It's been longer than 21 days since the IRS received my return and I haven't gotten my refund. Why?
There are several reasons why some tax returns take longer to process than others. These include:
- The return was sent by mail.
- The return contains errors or is incomplete.
- The return needs further review.
- The return is affected by identity theft or fraud.
- The return was referred to the IRS by the bank due to suspicious activity.
- The return includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit.
- The return includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process.
For the latest information on IRS processing timeframes, you can check the Processing Status Dashboard. If the IRS needs more information to process your return, they will contact you by mail. If your return is still being processed, correcting an error, or being reviewed for suspicious activity, the "Where's My Refund?" tool and IRS phone representatives may not be able to provide you with a specific refund date. Please check the "Where's My Refund?" tool for updated information on your refund.
If you have claimed an Elective Payment Election (EPE), the IRS cannot issue your refund before your tax return due date. This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with the EPE. For more information, see the Clean Vehicle and Energy Credits section.
I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on my tax return. When can I expect my refund?
According to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue EITC and ACTC refunds before mid-February. The IRS expects most EITC/Additional CTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by February 27, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return. However, some taxpayers may see their refunds a few days earlier. Check the "Where's My Refund?" tool for your personalized refund date.
The "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go mobile app are the best ways to check the status of your refund. They will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC refund filers by February 17.
When should I call you about the status of my refund?
Only call the IRS about your refund status if the "Where's My Refund?" tool recommends you to contact them.
What information does the "Where's My Refund?" tool have?
The "Where's My Refund?" tool provides information about your refund status for the tax year you select.
Does the refund hotline have all of the same information as the "Where's My Refund?" website or the IRS2Go mobile app?
No, the automated refund hotline (800-829-1954) can only provide you with your refund status for the current tax year (2023). It cannot give you information about refunds from prior years. For all updates regarding your tax year 2022 or 2021 refund, please visit the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the IRS website. We apologize for any inconvenience.
When can I start checking the "Where's My Refund?" tool for my refund's status?
You can start checking the "Where's My Refund?" tool:
- 24 hours after e-filing a tax year 2023 return
- 3 or 4 days after e-filing a tax year 2021 or 2022 return
- 4 weeks after mailing a paper return
Will the "Where's My Refund?" tool show me when I'll receive my refund?
Yes, the "Where's My Refund?" tool will provide you with a personalized date after the IRS processes your return and approves your refund.
I’m a nonresident alien. I don’t have to pay U.S. federal income tax. How do I claim a refund for federal taxes withheld on income from a U.S. source? When can I expect to receive my refund?
To claim a refund of federal taxes withheld on income from a U.S. source, a nonresident alien must report the appropriate income and withholding amounts on Form 1040-NR, U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return. You must include the documents substantiating any income and withholding amounts when you file your Form 1040NR. Please allow up to 6 months from the date you filed the 1040-NR for your refund.
How will I know you're processing my tax return?
The "Where's My Refund?" tool follows your tax return from receipt to completion. It will inform you when your return is in received status and if your refund is in approved or sent status.
What is happening when the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows my tax return status as received?
If the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your tax return status as received, it means that the IRS has received your tax return and is currently processing it.
What is happening when the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows my refund's status as approved?
If the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your refund's status as approved, it means that the IRS has approved your refund. They are preparing to send it to your bank or directly to you by mail. If you selected the direct deposit option, the tool will also provide an estimated date for when the refund will be sent to your bank. Please wait five days after the refund has been sent to check with your bank, as the time it takes for banks to credit funds may vary. If you chose to receive a mailed refund check, it could take up to four weeks to receive it.
How long will it take for my status to change from return received to refund approved?
Processing times vary depending on the information submitted on your tax return. However, in most cases, returns change from return received to refund approved after only a few days.
Does the "Where's My Refund?" tool always display my refund status showing the different stages of return received, refund approved, and refund sent?
No, not always. If the IRS is still reviewing your return, the tool may display instructions or an explanation of what they are doing. The refund tracker may not appear until the IRS has completed their review of your tax return.
Does the "Where's My Refund?" tool update often?
The "Where's My Refund?" tool is updated once per day, usually at night. There is no need to check more often.
Will the "Where's My Refund?" tool give me my amended return's status?
No, the "Where's My Refund?" tool does not provide information about amended tax returns. You can obtain information about your amended tax return by using the "Where's My Amended Return?" application.
I requested a direct deposit refund. Why are you mailing it to me as a paper check?
There are several reasons why a direct deposit refund may be mailed as a paper check:
- The refund can only be deposited electronically into accounts in your own name, your spouse's name, or in a joint account.
- A financial institution may reject a direct deposit.
- The IRS cannot deposit more than three electronic refunds into a single financial account.
What should I do when the refund I receive is not from my tax account?
If you receive a refund check or direct deposit that is not from your tax account, please do not cash the refund check or spend the direct deposit refund. Instead, send the refund back to the IRS. For more information on what to do in this situation, refer to Tax Topic 161, Returning an Erroneous Refund – Paper Check or Direct Deposit.