If you filed your taxes and know that you are due a refund, there are online options for you to use to track the check from printing to arriving on your doorstep. The IRS has a few straightforward methods to accomplish this. All you need is your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount to figure out your refund's status online.
State refunds can be a little trickier to get a report on, but the majority of states do offer some kind of online service to let you know whether or not your return has been processed yet. For those without online services, there are automated telephone hotlines for taxpayers to make contact.http://www.ador.state.al.us/incometax/vrespinstructions.html
Step 1: Check Your Federal Tax Refund Status Online
To check your federal tax refund status on the Internet, simply access the IRS website and then select the "Where's My Refund?" link in the right sidebar. To use the free service, you will need to enter your Social Security number, the filing status you used on your federal return and the exact amount of your expected refund.http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html?portlet=8 Generally, the IRS recommends waiting at least 72 hours before inquiring about your refund status if you filed electronically. If you filed a paper return, the IRS suggests waiting three to four weeks before inquiring about your refund status.http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html?portlet=8
Step 2: Check Your State Tax Refund Status Online
Not every state which levies a personal income tax has a website set up to help you check the status of your state income tax refund. Some still rely on the automated telephone system.http://www.revenue.ky.gov/refund.htm
Whether you are using your computer or a phone, you will need to provide some information about your tax return to find out whether your refund has been processed yet. Each state requires something slightly different, but you will be asked, at the very least, to provide your Social Security number and the exact refund amount shown on your return.http://www.tax.state.ny.us/
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References
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Jon Butler
Jon received a bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in economics from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He offers private tax consulting and is also a licensed real estate agent in the state of California. He works with sellers of distressed properties (short sales and foreclosures) and a number of buyers and investors.
How to Check Your Tax Refund Status Online Tips
- Have all of your necessary personal information on hand before you check.
- Check your federal tax refund status using the the Where's My Refund? service hosted on the the IRS website.https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp
- Visit your state's Department of Revenue website to check if they have an online system for checking refund status.http://www.tax.state.ny.us/
- Use your state's telephone hotline if it does not provide online services.http://www.revenue.ky.gov/refund.htm
- Remember that federal and state tax refunds are separate payments.
Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Please contact a finance professional before using the information presented here.
