🗓️ When Will I Receive My Tax Return?
Waiting on your tax refund? Here’s what you need to know about timelines and how to track your refund status for both federal and state returns.
H2 Federal Tax Refunds
The IRS issues most refunds within 21 calendar days of receiving your e-filed return with direct deposit. However, delays can happen if:
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Your return includes errors or is incomplete
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You claimed certain credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit)
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Your return requires additional review or identity verification
How to Check Your Federal Refund Status
The IRS updates its system once every 24 hours, typically overnight.
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Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool:
Where's My Refund
You’ll need:
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Your Social Security Number or ITIN
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Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.)
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Your exact refund amount
📲 Tip: You can also check via the IRS2Go mobile app.
H2 State Tax Refunds
Each state processes returns on its timeline, and some may take longer than the federal government, especially if you filed by mail.
How to Check Your State Refund
To check your refund status, visit your state’s Department of Revenue or Taxation website. Most offer a “Where’s My Refund?” feature similar to the IRS.
A few examples:
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California: https://www.ftb.ca.gov
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New York: https://www.tax.ny.gov
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South Carolina: https://dor.sc.gov
You’ll typically need:
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Your Social Security Number
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Refund amount
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Filing status or zip code
Need help finding your state’s refund tracker? Search “[Your State] tax refund status” or visit https://www.taxadmin.org/state-tax-forms for direct links.
đź“Ś Pro Tips
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Direct deposit refunds arrive faster than mailed checks.
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E-filing is significantly quicker than paper filing.
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If it’s been more than 21 days (federal) or 4 weeks (state) and you still don’t see progress, contact the IRS or your state tax agency.