When you mail in your tax return to the IRS and you are expecting a refund the IRS will not post updates until about 4 weeks after you mail it. If you are not expecting a refund and had to make a payment, once your payment clears your bank you will know the tax return was received.
If 4 weeks pass and you don't have an update you can call the IRS. Please see this for more information: https://www.irs.gov/refunds
You may contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 please see this website article from the IRS on contact hours and information you will need to have ready when calling them: https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance.
Here are some tips when contacting the IRS:
- First choose your language.
- Then do not choose the first choice regarding REFUND, or it will send you to an automated phone line.
- Instead, press 2 for personal income tax questions.
- Then press 1 for form, tax history, or payment.
- Then press 3 for all other questions.
- Then press 2 for all other questions to be transferred to an agent