What is the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool?
Short answer
"Where's My Refund?" is the IRS tool and app that shows a refund's status in three stages: Return Received, Refund Approved, Refund Sent. It updates once a day.
What it is
The tool, at irs.gov/refunds and in the IRS2Go app, needs the taxpayer's SSN or ITIN, filing status and the exact refund amount. Status is available about 24 hours after a current-year return is e-filed, three to four days for a prior-year e-filed return, and about four weeks for a paper return. It updates overnight, so checking several times a day shows nothing new.
Most refunds arrive within 21 days of acceptance, but returns claiming the EITC or ACTC are held by law until mid-February, and any return pulled for review takes longer.
Why it matters for a tax firm
Half of "where's my return" calls are really "where's my refund", and the firm cannot see more than the client can. Teaching clients the tool, and saying so in the acceptance message, moves those calls to the IRS.
How XyloDocs handles it
XyloDocs' acceptance message can point the client to the tool and explain the 21-day and mid-February timing in their language, so the firm is not asked daily.
Related terms
Read more on XyloDocs
Sources
Questions about Where's My Refund?
How soon after filing does Where's My Refund show a status?
About 24 hours after the IRS accepts a current-year e-filed return, three to four days for a prior-year e-filed return, and about four weeks for a paper return.
Why is a refund with the child tax credit delayed?
Federal law requires the IRS to hold refunds claiming the EITC or the additional child tax credit until mid-February, to check the income reported against employer filings.
Last reviewed: October 16, 2026. This glossary explains terms; it is not legal or tax advice. Check the cited source for the current rule.
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