People who have overpaid taxes to the IRS will receive a refund after they file their tax returns. If you file electronically, you should wait at least 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your return before you check the status of your refund. If you filed by mail, you'll need to wait three weeks before checking.
Go to the IRS website and click on the link for “Where’s my Refund?” Enter your Social Security number, filing status and the amount of your refund in whole dollars. The results should give you the status of your refund. You may be prompted to check again in 24 hours if the status is unavailable
Call the Refund Hotline at 800-829-1924. Provide the automated system with your Social Security number, the whole-dollar amount of the refund and your filing status. The automated system will update you with the status of your refund if that information is available.
Call 800-829-1040 and speak with an operator. Give the operator your Social Security number, filing status and refund amount.
Warnings
Amended tax return information is not available on the "Where’s my Refund?" online tool.
References
- IRS: Where’s My Refund?
- Internal Revenue Service. "Relief for Taxpayers," Page 3. Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Economic Impact Payment Information Center." Accessed Aug. 30, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Filing Season Statistics for March 2020." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "IRS kicks off 2020 tax filing season." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Intrnal Revenue Service. "Tax Day Now July 15." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- U.S. Congress. "H.R.748 - CARES Act." Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Where's My Refund?" Accessed Apr. 8, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "1040 and 2019 1040-SR," Pages 14, 60. Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Interim Results of the 2019 Filing Season," Page 12. Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Federal Trade Commission. "Filing A Complaint." Accessed Aug. 30, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 308 Amended Returns." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Bureau of the Fiscal Service. "Tax Refund Offset." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Taxpayer Advocate Service. "Refund Offsets." Accessed March 1, 2020.
Warnings
- Amended tax return information is not available on the "Where's my Refund?" online tool.
Writer Bio
Leigh Thompson began writing in 2007 and specializes in creating content for websites. She has been published online in various capacities. Thompson has an associate degree in information technology from the University of Kansas and is working on a bachelor's degree in business and personal finance.