Knowing when your tax refund will arrive can be a bit like waiting for a watched pot to boil, but thankfully, there are clear, step-by-step methods to check its status. If you've filed your taxes with TurboTax, you're in the right place to get the lowdown. Let's dive in and ease that anticipation!
How to Check Your TurboTax Refund Status: A Comprehensive Guide
First things first, have you already filed your taxes with TurboTax? If yes, great! You're ready for the next steps. If not, make sure to complete your filing and get that "Accepted" status before trying to track your refund.
Step 1: Confirm Your E-file Status with TurboTax
Before you can track your refund with the IRS or your state, you need to ensure that your tax return has been successfully transmitted and accepted. TurboTax provides an easy way to verify this.
Checking Your E-file Status Online:
Sign in to your TurboTax account: Go to
TurboTax.com Navigate to your Tax Home: Once logged in, you should see your Tax Home screen. Look for "Your tax returns & documents" or a similar section.
Locate your return: Find the tax year you're interested in. Your federal and state returns should be listed.
Check the "Return Status" or "E-file Status":
If it says "Accepted," fantastic! Your return has been received by the IRS (and your state, if applicable) and is now in their processing queue. This is what you want to see.
If it says "Pending," it means TurboTax has sent your return, but the IRS (or state) hasn't officially accepted or rejected it yet. Give it a little more time – usually 24-48 hours for federal returns.
If it says "Rejected," don't panic! This means there's an error that needs to be corrected. TurboTax will usually tell you why it was rejected, and you'll need to fix the issue and re-file. Your refund timeline won't start until your return is accepted.
Important Note: TurboTax typically gets updates on your federal return's e-file status within 24-48 hours after you file. For state returns, it might take a bit longer.
Step 2: Tracking Your Federal Tax Refund (The IRS "Where's My Refund?" Tool)
Once your federal return shows as Accepted in your TurboTax account, the official IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool is your primary resource for federal refund status. This is the same information available to IRS phone assistors, so checking online is usually the fastest method.
What You'll Need:
Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Your Filing Status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household, etc.)
The Exact Whole Dollar Amount of Your Refund (you can find this on your tax return summary in TurboTax)
Steps to Use the IRS Tool:
Visit the IRS "Where's My Refund?" website: Go to
IRS.gov/wheres-my-refund Enter your information: Carefully input your SSN/ITIN, filing status, and the exact refund amount. Double-check for accuracy! Even a small typo can prevent the tool from finding your information.
Click "Submit": The tool will then display your refund status.
Understanding the IRS Refund Status Stages:
The "Where's My Refund?" tool typically shows one of three statuses:
Return Received: This means the IRS has received your tax return and is processing it. It's the first step in the journey.
Refund Approved: Congratulations! Your refund has been approved, and the IRS is preparing to send it. The tool will usually provide a personalized refund date.
Refund Sent: Your refund has been sent to your bank (for direct deposit) or mailed to you (as a paper check).
For Direct Deposit: It can take 1 to 5 business days for the funds to appear in your bank account after this status.
For Paper Check: It can take several weeks for the check to arrive in the mail.
Tip: The IRS updates the "Where's My Refund?" tool once a day, usually overnight. There's no need to check multiple times a day.
Step 3: Tracking Your State Tax Refund
Checking your state refund status is similar to the federal process, but you'll use your state's Department of Revenue or Tax agency website. Each state has its own system and timeline.
How to Find Your State's Refund Tracker:
Sign in to your TurboTax account (optional but helpful): Sometimes, TurboTax provides a direct link to your state's refund tracker from within your account. Look for "How do I track my state refund?" or similar.
Search for your state's tax website: A quick Google search for "[Your State Name] tax refund status" will usually lead you to the correct government website. For example, "California tax refund status" or "New York Department of Taxation and Finance refund."
Locate the refund status checker: Once on your state's tax website, look for a section like "Where's My Refund?" or "Check Refund Status."
Enter required information: Similar to the IRS tool, you'll typically need:
Your Social Security Number
Your Filing Status
The Exact Amount of Your State Refund
Some states might also ask for your driver's license number, date of birth, or other identifying information for security purposes.
Pro Tip: Just like with the IRS, state refund trackers are often updated daily.
Step 4: What to Do If Your Refund is Delayed or Not What You Expected
While most refunds are issued within 21 days for e-filed federal returns with direct deposit, some situations can cause delays or changes to your refund amount.
Common Reasons for Delays:
Errors or Incomplete Information: Any discrepancies on your return can flag it for manual review.
Identity Theft or Fraud: If the IRS suspects identity theft, it will delay your refund while they verify your identity.
Claiming Certain Credits: Refunds for returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) are often held by law until mid-February to prevent fraud.
Amended Returns (Form 1040-X): If you filed an amended return, the processing time is significantly longer, often 16 weeks or more.
Paper-Filed Returns: These take much longer to process than e-filed returns, typically 4 weeks or more after mailing.
Offset for Debts: Your refund might be reduced or withheld to pay off past-due federal or state taxes, child support, student loans, or other federal non-tax debts.
If Your Refund is Taking Longer Than Expected:
Check the IRS and State Tools Regularly: Remember, they update once a day.
Review Your TurboTax Account: Ensure your return was indeed accepted and that there are no messages from TurboTax about rejections or further action required.
Check for IRS or State Notices: Sometimes, the IRS or your state will mail a letter requesting more information or explaining a delay.
Contact the IRS (as a last resort): Only call the IRS if the "Where's My Refund?" tool specifically tells you to, or if it's been more than 21 days since your e-filed return was accepted and the tool hasn't updated. The IRS refund hotline is 1-800-829-1954. Calling earlier won't speed up your refund.
Contact Your State Tax Agency: If your state refund is delayed, find the contact information for your state's Department of Revenue or Tax agency on their official website.
If Your Refund Amount is Different:
The IRS or your state might have made adjustments to your return. This could be due to a calculation error, a review of credits claimed, or an offset for outstanding debts.
You should receive a notice or letter explaining any changes made to your refund amount.
Step 5: Understanding Your Refund Options (Direct Deposit vs. Paper Check)
When you file with TurboTax, you typically have options for how you receive your refund.
Direct Deposit:
This is by far the fastest and most secure way to receive your refund. The funds are electronically transferred directly into your bank account. Ensure your bank account information (routing and account numbers) is entered correctly in TurboTax to avoid delays.
Paper Check:
If you opt for a paper check, the IRS or your state will mail a physical check to the address listed on your tax return. This method takes longer due to mailing times and can be subject to delays or even getting lost in the mail.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions about checking your TurboTax refund:
How to check my federal refund status if I mailed my return?
If you mailed a paper federal return, wait at least four weeks after mailing before checking the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool. Paper returns take significantly longer to process.
How to find the exact refund amount needed for the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool?
Sign in to your TurboTax account, go to your Tax Home, and view your filed federal return summary. The exact refund amount will be clearly displayed there.
How to check my e-file status for a prior year return in TurboTax?
In your TurboTax account, you can typically view past years' returns. The e-file status for prior years should also be accessible under "Your tax returns & documents."
How to check my state refund if I didn't get it within 21 days?
First, check your state's official tax website using their "Where's My Refund?" tool. If there's no update or further information after a reasonable period (often stated on their website), contact your state's Department of Revenue directly.
How to know if my refund was offset for a debt?
The IRS will send you a notice (CP49, CP74A, or a similar letter) explaining that your refund was reduced or offset to pay a past-due obligation. Your state will also send a similar notice if they offset your state refund.
How to get my refund faster after filing with TurboTax?
The fastest way to receive your refund is to e-file your return and choose direct deposit. This significantly reduces processing and delivery time compared to paper filing and mailed checks.
How to proceed if TurboTax says my return was accepted but the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool doesn't show it?
Give it some time. It can take 24-48 hours after TurboTax shows accepted for the IRS system to update. If it's been longer than 48 hours, double-check that you entered your information exactly as it appears on your tax return into the IRS tool.
How to check my refund status if I filed an amended return?
For federal amended returns (Form 1040-X), use the IRS "Where's My Amended Return?" tool on the IRS website. Amended returns take much longer to process, typically 16 weeks or more.
How to contact TurboTax support for refund inquiries?
While TurboTax can help you confirm your e-file status and provide the refund amount from your return, they generally cannot track the IRS or state processing beyond the initial acceptance. For detailed refund status after acceptance, you must use the IRS or state tools/contact numbers. TurboTax support is primarily for issues related to the filing process itself.
How to determine if my refund is subject to a delay due to claiming EITC or ACTC?
If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), by law, the IRS cannot issue these refunds before mid-February. Even if you filed early, your refund will be held until that time. This is a common, anticipated delay, not an issue with your return.
