Refunds

Checking the Status of Your Refund

To check the status of your federal tax refund, visit the IRS website at Where’s My Refund. Before you begin, make sure you have the following information:

  • Social Security Number of the primary taxpayer (the first person listed on the return)

  • Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widower)

  • Exact Refund Amount shown on your return

Timing:

  • If you e-filed, you can start checking your status 24 hours after submission

  • If you paper filed, allow up to 4 weeks for your return to appear in the system

  • The IRS updates refund information once per day, usually overnight

Refunds for Prior Year Returns

You may still claim a refund for prior-year tax returns, but only if filed within three years of the original due date.

For example:

  • The original deadline for the 2021 tax return was April 15, 2022

  • To claim a refund for that year, your return must be filed by April 15, 2025

After the three-year window closes, any unclaimed refund becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.