If you’re expecting a big refund, you want it as fast as possible. If you mail your tax return early in the tax season, you’ll receive your refund in about 4 weeks. But if you wait and file your return close to the filing deadline, it will take about 8 weeks.
To get your refund sooner, try filing your return electronically. You’ll almost always receive your refund faster than if you mailed your return.
You can check the status of your refund by calling the IRS TeleTax Systemat 1-800-829-4477 or the IRS Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954. Make sure you have your tax return handy -- you’ll need it to answer some questions.
Or, you can track the status of your refund by going to www.irs.gov and click on Tax Information for Individuals. Then select Where's My Refund? You will be directed to enter identifying information.
Make sure you have your tax return handy - you'll need it to answer some questions. Taxpayers who want to check on their refund will need to provide the following information:
Social Security number (or Taxpayer Identification Number),
Filing status
Exact amount of the refund shown on the return
If the amount of your refund is less than you expected, you might have made a mathematical error or some other mistake on your return. If you owe delinquent taxes, the IRS may have withheld the balance due from your refund. If you also owe past state income taxes, back child support, or have other past due non-tax federal debts (such as student loans), these amounts may also have been deducted from your refund.
You should receive a notice explaining the mistake or any adjustments that were made to your refund amount, including explanations of any offsets for prior debts. Since your refund check and the notice come from different IRS locations, you might receive the explanation after you receive the refund check.