Tax season is upon us. Here's how to track your refund online.
Tracking your refund
Taxes are confusing, so it's no wonder there's an entire industry built on helping people file their forms. But tracking your federal refund is rather simple, thanks to
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On the 'refund' page, you'll see a button that says '
After clicking submit, the tool will show where in the refund process your return stands: 'Return Received,' meaning the IRS has your return and is processing it; 'Refund Approved,' which means the IRS has approved your filing and is preparing to issue it by the date shown on the screen; and 'Refund Sent,' indicating the IRS has sent the refund to your bank or put your check in the mail.
The IRS said the refund status will be available 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, three to four days after you e-file a prior-year return, and four weeks after you file paper return.
Taxpayers can also track their refund on the
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Massachusetts also has a refund tracking tool on
How long will it take to get your return?
The IRS says most refunds are issued in less than 21 days, but there a number of factors that could lead to a longer waiting period. The agency urges taxpayers not to rely on getting their refund by a certain date when considering large purchases or planning out bill payments.
The agency says taxpayers who file their returns electronically and choose direct deposit will get their refund faster, and the process is more secure. The Treasury Department's
Why your refund might be delayed
If it seems you've been waiting too long for your refund, there are a few possibilities of what could be holding things up.
One could be that there were errors or blank spaces on your forms that should have been filled in. The IRS says this may require more time review your filing and the agency may ask that file an amended return form.
If you filed for a refund under the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), federal law does not allow those refunds to be released until mid-February, according to the IRS. The 'check your refund' tool should show an updated status by Feb. 22 for most early EITC and ACTC filers and refunds should appear in the filer's bank account by March 3 if there were no other issues, the agency said.
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A more concerning possibility is your identity may have been stolen or you are the victim of tax fraud. The IRS has
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