If it's been more than four weeks since you submitted your tax return to the IRS, it's time to start tracking down where your refund money is. Tax refunds generally arrive within 28 days -- if no errors are found -- for those who file electronically and set up direct deposit.
When is the IRS deadline to claim an undelivered tax refund?
The IRS is required to keep the filing open and hold on to unclaimed income tax refunds for three years. If you don't file for the tax refund after three years, the money becomes property of the US Treasury, and you won't be able to get it back.
How can I find out if the IRS has an unclaimed tax refund for me?
You can start checking on the status of your refund within 24 hours after the IRS has received your e-filed return or 4 weeks after you mail a paper return. Visit the IRS's "Where's My Refund?" Tool which will give you a personalized refund date after the IRS processes your return and approves your refund.
The tracker displays progress through three stages:
- Return Received
- Refund Approved
- Refund Sent
To use Where's My Refund, you need to provide your Social Security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.
How Quickly Will I Get My Refund?
The IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. However, it's possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer. The Where's My Refund? Tool has the most up to date information available about your refund.
It's been longer than 21 days since the IRS received my return and I haven't gotten my refund. Why?
Some tax returns take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return:
- Includes errors, such as incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit
- Is incomplete
- Needs further review in general
- Is affected by identity theft or fraud
- Includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit. See Q&A below.
- Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF, which could take up to 14 weeks to process
What information does Where's My Refund? IRS Tool have?
Usually information on the most recent tax year refund the IRS has on file for you.
Can I use Where's My Refund? to check the status of a refund on a prior year return.
Where's My Refund? will usually display the status of your most recently filed tax return within the past two tax years.
For returns filed on or after July 1, refund information will remain available throughout the following year until you file a tax return for a more current tax year.
Will Where's My Refund? show me when I'll receive my refund?
Where's My Refund? will give you a personalized date after the IRS processes your return and approves your refund.
How will I know the IRS is processing my tax return?
Where's My Refund? follows your tax return from receipt to completion. It will tell you when your return is in received status and if your refund is in approved or sent status.
What is happening when Where's My Refund? shows my tax return status as received?
The IRS has your tax return and is processing it.
What is happening when Where's My Refund? shows my refund's status as approved?
The IRS has approved your refund. The IRS is preparing to send your refund to your bank or directly to you in the mail. This status will tell you when the IRS will send the refund to your bank (if you selected the direct deposit option). Please wait five (5) days after the IRS has sent the refund to check with your bank about your refund, since banks vary in how and when they credit funds. (It could take several weeks before you receive a mailed refund check.)
Still having issues? Call Congressman Sherman's Constituent Services Team
If you are still having issues, contact Congressman Sherman's constituent services team at 818-501-9200 or visit BradSherman.house.gov/Help. Congressman Sherman's constituent services team has helped Valley residents deal with the IRS and many other Federal agencies and stand ready to assist with any issues that you may have.
