How Do I Check My Tax Return Status?
Learn what information is required to track your federal tax return's progress and how to use IRS tools to access your past filing records.
After filing a tax return, many people want to monitor its progress or obtain a copy for their records. Whether you are anticipating a refund or need a copy for a loan application, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has established online portals to help you find this information. These systems provide secure access to your personal tax data without needing to call the agency.
Checking Your Federal Tax Return Status
Before checking your federal tax return status, you need to gather information from your Form 1040. You must have your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), your exact filing status, and the precise whole-dollar amount of your expected refund. These three items are necessary for the IRS to verify your identity and locate your return.
The primary method for tracking your refund is the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website and the IRS2Go mobile app. The system is updated once every 24 hours, so checking more than once a day will not provide new information. For electronically filed returns, you can check the status within 24 hours of the IRS accepting it. If you filed a paper return, you should wait at least four weeks before checking your status.
If you filed an amended return with Form 1040-X, you must use the separate “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool. The status of an amended return is available in this tool approximately three weeks after it is filed, but the total processing time can take up to 16 weeks.
Understanding the Status Messages
The “Where’s My Refund?” tool will display one of three main status messages. The first status is “Return Received,” which confirms that the IRS has your tax return and is beginning to process it. This message does not mean the return has been approved or that a refund is forthcoming.
The next stage is “Refund Approved.” This means the IRS has finished processing your return, verified the information, and approved the refund amount. When this status appears, the tool will also provide a projected date for when the refund will be sent, either through direct deposit or by a mailed paper check.
The final status is “Refund Sent.” This message indicates that the IRS has sent your refund. If you chose direct deposit, the funds have been transferred to your financial institution, though it may take a few business days for the bank to post them to your account. For those receiving a paper check, this status means the check has been mailed.
Accessing a Copy of a Past Tax Return
If you need a copy of a previously filed tax return for a mortgage application or financial aid verification, the IRS provides a tax transcript. A transcript is a summary of the information from your tax return and is a common alternative to a full copy. These transcripts are available free of charge and are accepted by most lenders and government agencies.
The fastest way to obtain a transcript is by using the “Get Transcript Online” tool on the IRS website. To use this service, you must verify your identity with your Social Security Number, date of birth, filing status, and mailing address from your latest return. You will also need access to:
- An email account
- A mobile phone with your name on the account
- A personal account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity loan, home equity line of credit, or auto loan
For those unable to use the online tool, the IRS offers a “Get Transcript by Mail” option. This method requires your SSN, date of birth, and the address from your last filed return. The transcript will be mailed to the address the IRS has on file for you within five to ten calendar days.