A taxpayer can check on the status of their federal income tax refund within 24 hours of filing electronically and four weeks of a paper filing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
IRS2Go mobile app
The IRS mobile app, IRS2Go, can be downloaded from Google Play, the Apple App Store, or the Amazon Appstore for free to iOS or Android devices.
Where's My Refund? online tool
The IRS's Where's My Refund? online tool is also available to taxpayers wishing to electronically check on their income tax refund.
What information is needed?
To access information about their refund, a taxpayer will need to provide their:
- Social security number
- Tax filing status
- Exact amount of the refund claimed on the tax return
Once entered, the app and online tool will indicate which stage of their income tax return is in: return received, return approved, or refund sent. In some instances, the app or online tool will request that the taxpayer contact the IRS about their return.