Can I Check My Tax Refund Status?

Yes — use the IRS's "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app to track your federal refund. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool is updated once per day (usually overnight) and shows three stages: Return Received, Refund Approved, and Refund Sent. E-filed returns with direct deposit are typically processed within 21 days. Paper returns and those requiring identity verification take significantly longer — sometimes 6–8 weeks or more. If it's been more than 21 days since e-filing and the tool shows no information, you can call the IRS refund hotline.