After the hassle and bustle of preparing and filing your tax return, is the eagerly awaited time of year when you are due to get your refunds. Everyone is happy about getting their refunds, be it a large or small amount, because it means extra money for expenses, or for that special item you’ve been trying to save for to buy or for that special trip somewhere to ease a weary body and spirit, or maybe, though not very exciting, but extremely wise, to pay off debt.

The Internal Revenue Service has created a special site wherein you can check the status of your refund. But to do so, you will need the following information:

• Your Social Security Number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• Your Filing Status
• The exact whole dollar amount of your refund

You only need to input in the appropriate boxes found at this website the required information to get the information on your tax refund.

Generally, you can get information about your refund 72 hours after IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return, or three to four weeks after mailing a paper return. If you file a complete accurate tax return, your refund will be issued within six weeks from the received date. If you filed electronically, refund checks will be issued within three weeks after the acknowledgment date. Refunds from amended returns will be issued within 8–12 weeks. Injured spouse claims can take longer, depending on the circumstances. Refer to Topic 203 for more information concerning Injured Spouse Claims.

Taxpayers have two options for receiving their individual federal income tax refund: a paper check or direct deposit (electronic funds transfer) into a checking or savings account. Taxpayers may request that refunds be directly deposited in up to three separate accounts. The refund must be $1.00 or more. Form 8888, Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account, will give taxpayers a choice of selecting up to three accounts such as checking, savings and retirement accounts. Note: You cannot have your refund deposited into more than one account if you file Form 8379 (PDF), Injured Spouse Allocation.

If six weeks has passed and you have not received your refund, please contact a customer service representative by calling 800-829-1040. From outside the U.S., call 215-516-2000. TTY/TDD: 800-829-4059.

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