Here’s how to track your tax refund in 2024

If you’ve filed your taxes and are expecting a refund, you’ll likely want to know how soon you can expect to see the money in your bank account.

You can use the IRS’ online “Where’s My Refund?” tool to get up-to-date information on your cash. You can find the tool online at https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund.

Your refund’s status will get updated about 24 hours after e-filing for a current-year return and three or four days after e-filing a prior year return. If you file by paper, your status won’t be updated for about four weeks, according to the IRS.

To check, you’ll need your Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number, the IRS said. You’ll also need your filing status and the exact refund amount on your return.

Once you enter all that, the IRS will give you a status:

• Return received: The IRS has your return and is processing it
• Refund approved: The IRS approved your refund and is preparing to issue it by the date shown
• Refund sent: The IRS sent your refund to your bank via direct deposit or to you in the mail. It could take five days for the refund to show up in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail

The system could also ask you to contact the IRS. That’s only time you should call the agency about your refund status.

Your refund could be delayed if your return needs or more information, corrections or extra review. If the IRS needs more information from you, the agency will send you a letter.

Filing the same tax return over again won’t speed up your refund and could cause delays, the IRS said. You should only submit your return again if all of these conditions apply:

• You are due a refund
• You filed on paper more than 6 months ago
• Where’s My Refund doesn’t show that we received your return.

The IRS recommended filing the second return electronically, if possible.

More information is available online on the IRS website.