One of the best things about paying your taxes is actually getting that tax refund back, whether as a check or a direct deposit straight into your bank account. Millions of US taxpayers rely on these refunds each year for that extra injection of cash to keep their finances on the right track. While in the past it was a hassle to check your federal tax refund status, it is now quite a bit easier thanks to the digital systems that are in place these days. Regardless of whether your refund will be coming back to you as a check or a direct deposit, you can check its status via the system that the Internal Revenue Service offers through its official website using any internet connection you would like. You will be able to get status information three to four weeks after filing your return if you went the traditional route and mailed your tax return in to the IRS, but if you used the efile method then you are in luck because you will be able to check your refund’s status a mere 72 hours after you have filed and the IRS has confirmed receipt of the efiled return.
To make things go as quickly and smoothly as possible, it is best to have a copy of your tax return on hand so that you can simply input the information from it that the website’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool requires. You will need to know which status you filed under: Qualifying Widow or Widower, Head of Household, Married Filing Separate Return, Married Filing Joint Return, or Single. In addition to your status, you will need your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, if applicable. Finally, you will need the exact amount of the refund you entered onto your return. Once you run the tool with this information inputted, you should get back the federal tax refund status within seconds. If you find that your address was entered incorrectly, you do have the option of changing your address online, but if it has been at least 28 days since the IRS says your refund was mailed you can use “Where’s My Refund?” to begin a trace and find out what happened to your check. Thanks to this tool, it is now easier than ever to keep track of where your refund is and when it’s going to get to you, a very smart investment of federal dollars that creates genuine convenience and added security for taxpayers.
