Where's my money? How to track the status of your tax return

May 5, 2021

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The May 17th Tax Day deadline is inching closer, and there is now less than two weeks to file your taxes.

If your taxes have been filed, you’re ahead of the game and the hard part is over. If not, you also have until May 17th to request an extension from the Internal Revenue Service, reported CNET.

What comes next?

Tax payers who have already filed can check the status of their refund online at “Where’s My Refund?” This tool, provided by the IRS, will give you the latest information on when you should expect to receive your claim.

You will be required to provide your full social security number, your tax filing status (options include single, married-filing joint return, head of household, or qualifying widow(er)) and your tax refund amount.

The online tracker will display your refund in three stages:
Return Received - The IRS has your return and is in the midst of processing it.
Refund Approved - The IRS has confirmed the amount of your refund.
Refund Sent - Your money is on the way via direct deposit or paper check.

If you are not immediately offered your tax refund status, you will be required to reenter your personal tax information and try again. These rules will apply to anyone who submitted their return electronically or on paper.

Made a mistake?

The status of amended tax returns can be found at “Where’s My Amended Return?” Processing of your amended return can take up to 16 weeks or more after you’ve sent it.

Business Tax return information can be found by calling toll free, at 800-829-4933. From outside the U.S., call 267-941-1000.

Those who used an online tax resource like TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct or TaxSlayer, can reach out to the third-party company directly. Each tool comes with on-demand, on-screen and online access to human tax pros who can answer questions and review your individual return status.

You may see delays.

Tax returns may take more time to hit your bank account than previous years.

According to USA Today, the IRS is holding 29 million tax returns for manual processing due to additional tax code changes, limited resources, outdated IT systems, and a backlog of unprocessed 2019 paper tax returns.

Discover more Tax Day 2021 content on Audacy
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—IRS moves tax filing deadline to May 17
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