After you file

mesquitebean · ‎April 1, 2022

@ emmbarnes wrote:
How do I know if there was an error in my refund? will the IRS email or call?
It has been 21 days and I have not received my refund

No, you would not get an email or phone call from the IRS. They don't normally contact folks that way initially as first contact. If they change your refund amount or need additional information from you, you would get a letter in postal mail. NOTE: An email or phone call claiming to be from the "IRS" should raise suspicion of a scam.

While most folks who efile and choose direct deposit will get a refund within 21 days, it's not unusual to take more than 21 days. It may mean it has been pulled aside for some manual review. How long it takes also depends on how you filed--by efile, or if you filed a printed return on paper in postal mail.

There are some things you should check:

If you efiled, you should double-check to be sure the return was efiled successfully and accepted.
If you used Online TurboTax, you can sign into your Online Account and check the efile status at the Tax Home.

If that showed it was accepted, you can use the "Where's My Refund" tool at the IRS website below to monitor the status of your Federal refund.
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

TIPS when using the IRS WMR tool:

Be sure you have waited at least 24 hours after acceptance before using the IRS WMR tool. Or if you filed a paper return in postal mail, wait at least 4 weeks before using it.
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