Start here
Federal
Check your federal refund
The IRS "Where's My Refund" tool covers the current tax year and the 2 before it. Most e-filed refunds arrive within 21 days.
Open Where's My Refund →Refund tracker
Where is your refund?
The IRS runs the only real tracker, and it updates once a day, overnight. Here is the fast path, what to have in front of you, and straight answers on timing.
Amended returns
Check an amended return
Amended returns move on their own, slower track: allow up to 16 weeks. The status shows about 3 weeks after you file the amendment.
Open Where's My Amended Return →Have these ready
What you need: 3 things
Your Social Security or ITIN number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return, to the dollar. The tracker rejects close guesses.
Can't find your return? Call us →Straight answers
Refund questions, answered honestly
How soon after filing can I check my refund?
About 24 hours after the IRS accepts an e-filed return, or about 4 weeks after you mail a paper return. Before that, the tracker has nothing to show.
Why is my refund taking longer than 21 days?
The most common reasons: the return needs a correction, it claims credits the IRS holds for extra review (like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, which are not released before mid-February), the IRS wants to verify your identity, or the return was filed on paper. If the IRS needs something from you, they send a letter; they do not call.
Does calling the IRS speed up my refund?
No. Phone representatives see the same status you see in Where's My Refund, and they generally cannot research a return until 21 days have passed for e-filed returns. The tracker updates once a day, overnight, so checking more than daily does not help either.
My refund was smaller than expected. What happened?
Two usual causes: the IRS corrected a math or credit error, or part of your refund was offset to cover a past-due debt like back taxes, state obligations, or child support. Either way you get a notice in the mail explaining the change. Bring it to us and we will decode it.
Is there a Washington state refund to track?
No. Washington has no state income tax, so there is no state refund. If you file in other states (many of our optometry clients do), each state runs its own tracker on its Department of Revenue site.
Is a big refund actually a good thing?
Candidly, no. A $6,000 refund means you lent the IRS $500 a month all year at 0% interest. We would rather tune your withholding or estimates so that money sits in your account, not theirs. That is a 15-minute conversation with us during the year.
From the Learning Center
Keep reading: tax planning
Our clients' reviews
Here is what they say about working with us
Jose is wonderful! I recently started my own small business, and he has been so helpful. He is knowledgeable, efficient and proactive. I feel very safe and secure knowing I have him as my accountant. He is always quick to respond to my questions and I enjoy working with him. He has made running my business a lot easier and stress free. He is a true team player. Thank you Jose!
Jose has been very helpful with my accounting needs. He goes above and beyond with our bookkeeping and allows me to focus my time on growing my business!
I have worked with Caro & Associates for 8+ years, they are very professional, excellent work and very good service to their clients.