Can’t track my refund

[MichelleLO]

Are you seeing this message on the IRS Where's My Refund site?

When you are trying to track the status of your tax refund and you see the message You may not have entered your information correctly, select the Re-Enter button to try again. You'll want to double-check your entries and make sure you enter your exact federal refund dollar amount. You can get this number from your Form 1040, line 35a.

As stated by xmasbaby0, you may just need to wait a few days for the IRS system to update if you're still receiving the message. 

@Kspalding35

[Carli_wallace]

Hi so I mailed my taxes (paper, NOT efile) and I can’t track it and I know I’m putting in my correct return amount and social security #. Thanks. My number is [phone number removed] 

[mesquitebean]

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@ Carli_wallace wrote:

Hi so I mailed my taxes (paper, NOT efile) and I can’t track it and I know I’m putting in my correct return amount and social security #. Thanks. My number is [phone number removed] 

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Be aware this is a public Internet forum.   You should not post any personal info here, or it could invite spammers/scammers.  It looks like the forum privacy filter removed your phone number for your protection.

It can take at least 4 weeks for a paper return to show up in the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool.

Here are some tips when using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool:

https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

• Be sure you enter the correct SSN and filing status.
• Be sure you are using only the Federal refund amount.   Do not include any state refund or any total refund or net refund (Fed and State) that TurboTax may have provided on a screen that sums the two.  
• Look at your actual Federal return to get the Federal refund amount, i.e., your Form 1040, Line 35a.

• You can also try phoning the IRS refund hotline.  I've seen it work for some users when the WMR tool didn't.  800-829-1954   Again, for a paper return it takes at least 4 weeks to show up.
  

[Pickle95]

Saying my info doesn't match

[mesquitebean]

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@Pickle95 wrote:

Saying my info doesn't match

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Are you referring to the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool?

https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

If you efiled, double-check that your efiled returns were indeed accepted.  If you used Online TurboTax, log in and go to the Tax Home and check the efile status.

Here are some tips when using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool:

• Be sure you have waited at least 24 hours after acceptance before using the IRS WMR tool.
• Be sure you enter the correct SSN and filing status.
• Be sure you are using only the Federal refund amount.   Do not include any state refund or any total refund or net refund (Fed and State) that TurboTax may have provided on a screen.  
• Also be sure you are using the Federal amount before any TurboTax fees are taken out (if you chose that option.)
• Look at your actual Federal return to get the Federal refund amount, i.e., your Form 1040, Line 35a.

• You can also try phoning the IRS refund hotline.  I've seen it work for some users when the WMR tool didn't.  800-829-1954

FAQ:  How do I track my state refund?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/how-do-i-track-my-state-refund/00/25571

[alicewebb]

I need a tracking number for my federal tax return.  I entered the wrong account number and my bank said I need this number for them to look into the matter 

[xmasbaby0]

@alicewebb There is no tracking number for a tax refund.   If the IRS sends your refund to a wrong or closed account the bank will send it back to the IRS and then the IRS will mail a check to the address on your tax return

Here is what the IRS says about entering incorrect banking information

https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-individuals/frequently-asked-tax-questions-an...

[Alice Moore]

Can I have when I will receive my refund 

[DoninGA]

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@Alice Moore  wrote:

Can I have when I will receive my refund 

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Did you e-file your tax return and was it accepted?
Only the IRS and your State control when and if a Federal or State tax refund is Approved and Issued.

You complete your tax return by finishing all 3 Steps in the File section. In Step 3, to e-file your tax return, you must click on the large Orange button labeled "Transmit my returns now".

After completing the File section and e-filing your tax return you will receive two emails from TurboTax. The first email when your tax return was transmitted and the second email when the tax return has either been accepted or rejected.

Note - Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.  Only the taxpayer listed on the tax return can obtain the status of a tax refund or a tax return.

To check the status of an e-filed return, open up your desktop product or log into your TurboTax Online Account. You can find your status within the TurboTax product.
If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds
If accepted by the state use this TurboTax support FAQ to check the state tax refund status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.
See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

[alicewebb]

Thank you for responding to my email.  My federal taxes were approved and my refund was sent to my bank on 3/16.  The problem is my bank doesn't have records of a direct deposit.  My bank said I needed a tracking number.  I've been calling and calling and calling the IRS with no luck.  Trying to actually reach someone is impossible. 

[mesquitebean]

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@ alicewebb  wrote:

Thank you for responding to my email.  My federal taxes were approved and my refund was sent to my bank on 3/16.  The problem is my bank doesn't have records of a direct deposit.  My bank said I needed a tracking number.  I've been calling and calling and calling the IRS with no luck.  Trying to actually reach someone is impossible. 

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Edited for clarification 3/26/2022 at 6:25 PM Pacific

Here are some possibilities:

1)  Did you have any TurboTax fees that you chose to pay out of your Federal refund?   If so, that's handled by a third-party bank that receives your deposit from the IRS into a temporary bank account in your name, subtracts the fees, then sends the rest to your bank account in a second direct deposit.  If you DID use that service, we can tell you more about that process and how to check with the company that handles that (SBTPG).    If it went to SBTPG's bank, then the IRS would still say it was sent to "your bank" because that's what it thinks; i.e., the IRS would think SBTPG's bank is your bank.

2)  Could you have chosen to deposit it somewhere other than your bank checking account, such as onto a prepaid debit card, or into a brokerage account?

3)  In a previous comment you said your return had the wrong account number.   If it was go directly from the IRS to your bank account (i.e., no third-party service to pay any fees out of the refund),  and if refused by your bank, it would go back to the IRS who would issue a check in the mail.

However, if the refund was coming from the third-party SBTPG (fees paid out of Federal refund), and that second direct deposit was refused by your bank, it would go back to SBTPG's bank, who would be the one issuing you a refund check in the mail.   If you used that service, we can tell you how to check on it at SBTPG's website.

If your bank is referring to an ACH tracking number, then the sender who initiated the ACH transfer would have that info.    If it was going directly from the IRS to your bank account, the IRS would be able to trace the ACH deposit.   If it was going from SBTPG's bank to your bank account, then SBTPG's bank would be the one to account for it.

[mesquitebean]

@ alicewebb 

I edited my answer above to better clarify, but you may have been emailed the original answer before my additional points.  Please return to the forum to see the full answer and provide the additional information needed.

[alicewebb]

My refund was to be directly deposited to my bank account.  I need a tracking number from the IRS. I can't get ahold of anyone from the IRS though.  I call 10 to 15 times a day. I go though the IVR and get through and at the end it's says my call cannot be answered due to high volume.  Please try your call later.  

[VolvoGirl]

Alice, you will just have to wait.  It may take a couple weeks or more for the IRS to mail you a check.  Please be patient.   Were you having the fees deducted from your refund?  

[alicewebb]

No fees. I'm just trying to make sure it doesn't go in someone's bank. I'm an amputee and I'm taking my refund to get a new prosthetic.  I just can't believe you cannot speak to someone at the IRS.