IRS enhances ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool for 2024 filing season

With millions of tax refunds going out each week, the Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers today that recent improvements to “Where's My Refund?” on IRS.gov provide more information and remains the best way to check the status of a refund.

The “Where’s My Refund?” tool provides taxpayers with three key pieces of information: IRS confirmation of receiving a federal tax return, approval of the tax refund and issuing date of the approved tax refund. Information for returns from tax years 2023, 2022 and 2021 is available.

During this busy part of filing season, millions of taxpayers are anticipating refunds. In the second of the weekly Tax Time Guide series, the IRS highlights important details about “Where’s My Refund?” that can help taxpayers quickly get the information they need without calling the IRS.

The improvements to the heavily used tool follow Inflation Reduction Act funding, which is providing for a variety of IRS technological advances and upgrades designed to help taxpayers and transform agency operations.

“Where’s My Refund?” enhancements

In filing season 2024, taxpayers will benefit from important updates that reduce the need for many taxpayers to call the IRS and include:

  • Messages with detailed refund status in plain language.
  • Seamless access on mobile devices and with the IRS2Go app.
  • Notifications indicating whether the IRS needs additional information.

How to use “Where’s My Refund?”

To use “Where's My Refund?”, taxpayers must enter their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of their expected refund from the original tax return for the year they're checking.

Once the IRS acknowledges receipt of a return, refund status information is typically available within:

  • 24 hours after receipt of a taxpayer's e-filed tax year 2023 return.
  • Three to four days after receipt of an e-filed tax year 2022 or 2021 return.
  • Four weeks after mailing a paper return.

Taxpayers should note that the IRS updates the tool once a day, usually overnight, so there's no need to check more often. The IRS reminds taxpayers that the fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and using direct deposit.