The IRS alerted taxpayers to use the agency’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool for the 2025 filing season to track the status of their refunds and confirm that their returns have been received.
“Taxpayers who file electronically can typically use the Where’s My Refund? tool to check the status of a tax refund within 24 hours of filing,” according to the IRS announcement.
“It takes about four weeks for the same information to be available for those filing paper returns. The tool is available 24/7, and is a fast, easy way for taxpayers to get information about a refund without needing to call the IRS. The tool also allows taxpayers to access information about returns from tax years 2024, 2023, and 2022.”
“Where’s My Refund?” is updated by the IRS once every day, typically overnight. As such, taxpayers need not check their refund status several times a day for updates. The tool is accessible via the IRS2Go mobile app.
Individuals are required to submit their social security or individual taxpayer ID number, filing status, and the exact amount to check refund status. Most refunds are issued within 21 calendar days.
“The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit as the delivery method. Taxpayers who do this typically get their refund in less than 21 days,” the IRS said.
The delivery timing can be impacted by several factors such as taxpayers filing an inaccurate or incomplete return, bank processing and posting times, and corrections to the Additional Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The IRS may sometimes require more information to process a return, in which case the agency will contact taxpayers by mail. The IRS will never contact taxpayers by email or social media.
