Where is my refund?
The IRS updates its own tracker daily. Here is how to check it, what each status means, and when it is worth calling us instead.
State refund status
What you will need
- Your Social Security number or ITIN
- Your filing status — single, married filing jointly, and so on
- The exact refund amount shown on your return
All three appear on the return we sent you. If you cannot find your copy, ask us and we will resend it.
When status appears
Roughly 24 hours after an e-filed return is accepted, or about four weeks after a paper return is posted. Checking more than once a day will not help — the IRS system refreshes overnight.
What the statuses mean
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Return received | The IRS has your return and has started processing it. |
| Refund approved | Processing is finished, the amount is confirmed, and payment is scheduled. |
| Refund sent | The money has left the IRS. Direct deposits usually land within a few business days; cheques take longer. |
Why refunds get delayed
Common causes include simple errors such as an unsigned return or a miscalculation, identity verification, and amended returns, which take longer because both versions have to be compared. Returns claiming the Earned Income Credit are held by law until mid-February regardless of when they were filed, and the Additional Child Tax Credit adds review time. Injured spouse claims are processed manually.
When to call us instead
If the tracker shows no record of your return more than a week after we confirmed acceptance, or if a status has not moved in over three weeks, tell us. Email support@universaltaxfiler.com or call +1 949 431 2999 — we can pull your IRS transcript and see what the public tracker does not show.