US tax refund 2026: How can we check IRS refund status? Steps to monitor progress

The IRS offers convenient tools for taxpayers to track the status of their tax refunds. The primary tool used is the ‘Where’s My Refund?’ feature.

Published on: Feb 12, 2026 2:13 PM IST

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers convenient tools for taxpayers to track the status of their tax refunds and related payments. The primary tool used to monitor refund progress is the ‘Where’s My Refund?’ feature, which is available on IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go mobile app.

US tax refund 2026: How can we check IRS refund status? Here are the steps to monitor progress (Pexel)

Here’s how you can track your IRS refund status

The ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool, which can be used to check the refund status, is available 24 hours a day on IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app. You can check your refund status 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an electronically filed (e-filed) return, 3–4 days after e-filing a prior-year return, and 4 weeks after mailing a paper return.

The tool updates once a day, usually overnight. It is generally unavailable between 4:00 am and 5:00 am Eastern Time while updates are being processed.

What information is needed to check the status?

To use the ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool, taxpayers are required to provide:

Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Filing status (e.g., single, married filing jointly)
The exact whole dollar amount of the expected refund

What are the refund status phases?

Refund progress is displayed by the tracker in three phases:

Return Received – The IRS has received and is now processing the tax return.
Refund Approved – The IRS has approved the refund and is now preparing to issue payment.
Refund Sent – The refund has been sent to the taxpayer’s bank or mailed as a check.

The tool will provide a personalized refund date once it is approved.

While most refunds are issued within 21 days of receiving an electronically filed return, some refunds may take longer because of some specific circumstances.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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