Your Tax Return and Tax Refund Status

eFile Is Less Taxing

The IRS offers a tool called "Where’s My Refund?" that lets you check the status of your tax refund for the past three years. After you’ve e-filed your tax return using eFile.com and the IRS has accepted it (meaning they didn’t reject it), you can use this tool to see where your refund stands. To find out if your tax refund is delayed or if it’s lower than you expected, follow these simple steps to check your refund status.

Note: If your tax return was rejected, you have two options. You can either resubmit it electronically through your eFile.com account or choose to mail it in instead. Both methods are available to you at no extra cost.

Refund Check Steps

Description of how to check the Refund Status
1. Prepare and eFile your Return(s)
Step 1: After you have prepared and e-Filed your returns via eFile.com:
Sign to your eFile.com account
2. Click on My Tax Return upper left
On the right side, you will see the status of your e-filed return. (If you e-Filed your tax return at a different website, see point 2.1 below).
Step 2: You will see the tax return status of your e-filed tax return on the right side page
  • Not e-filed | In Progress, not yet e-filed
  • Pending with the IRS
  • Accepted by the IRS
  • Rejected - Instruction for rejected returns. eFile again at no extra charge
2. 1 Did you eFile via another site or file by paper?
If you e-filed your tax return at a different site other than eFile.com, use that site to check the status of your return, e.g., did the IRS accept it or not? eFile.com cannot provide tax return status information for other websites or tax offices. Once you know, continue with Step 3 below.
3. Check IRS Tax Refund
Where's My Refund?
Step 3: If your eFile.com My Return shows your return was accepted, check your IRS Refund Money status.
Before or after you click the link, ensure you have a copy of your accepted tax return handy. You can find a return copy in your eFile.com My Account, as you will need to provide the following information from your tax return:
  • Social Security Number SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number - ITIN of the primary taxpayer
  • Tax Return Filing Status: Single, Married filing joint, Married filing separate, Head of household, or Surviving Spouse - see Form 1040 page 1 on top.
  • Tax Refund Dollar Amount: The exact whole dollar amount of your refund - see form 1040, page 2.

The Where's My Tax Refund Money? Page. will look like the image below

Where is My Refund Tool

The Where's My Refund lookup tool result page:

“depreciation”

If you have further IRS questions about the status of your return, you can also call the IRS Tax Assistance Hotline: 1-800-829-1040 (Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time).

4. State Refund Status
Check your State Tax Return Status by selecting the Where's My State Tax Refund? Page for your state.
5. Did you use e-Collect
on eFile.com
If you used e-collect or the - deduct fees from the refund payment method - to pay for your return(s), the IRS must first release your refund - see step 4 above. Once that is completed, your funds will be transferred to e-Collect or our partner bank, Pathward.
- Check the e-Collect, EPS or Pathward Bank Refund Status
- Contact e-collect or EPS online: When will e-collect transfer my tax refund?
- Contact e-collect or EPS by phone: Customer Service: 888-782-0860
6. Lower Tax Refund Amount
Than Expected?
If you - or your spouse in the case of a married filing joint return - have certain past debts, the IRS might offset some of this debt or may take or garnish your refund.
If you have to pay taxes, please see how on this page.
7. Is Your Refund Delayed?
Here are potential reasons or different factors why the tax return process could be delayed at the IRS - see the IRS Tax Return roadmap, including identity and security validations, etc. :

Additional delay factors could be due to tax return processing backlogs created during the COVID Tax Seasons:

Need Help?

If you have any questions or concerns as you go through the process, contact us for further instructions.

WatchIT