There is a government website that has a tool that allows tax filers to track their IRS refund status.  It’s located at the IRS website and it requires you to type in your social security number.  There are few things to know about this tool, and reading this can save you some stress and aggravation in determining your IRS refund status.

IRS Refund Status: Tool Tips

1. First, there is a warning: don’t use any other website to track your IRS refund status other than the IRS site.  Check for “.gov” in the URL (website address) or go directly from www.IRS.gov.
2. Secondly, sometimes the IRS refund tracking tool has delays, even though the IRS says it doesn’t.  People have gone to the website, typed in the necessary information (social security number and dollar amount of refund expected) and gotten the response that there is no information regarding their return.

That’s scary!  However, if you have received confirmation from the IRS that your return was accepted, there should be no delay in getting your IRS refund.  The message on the refund status website is concerning the tracker tool only, not the actual processes that deliver your refund to you.

So if it looks like the IRS doesn’t know about your IRS refund status, it’s been at least 72 hours since you e-filed, and you did receive a confirmation of acceptance from the IRS, then don’t panic.  It’s just the tracker tool that’s delayed, so your IRS refund status is unavailable. The refund should still be on its way in 10 to 21 days regardless of the IRS Refund Status website.