First of all, it depends on how you filed; i.e., whether it was by efile or by printing and mailing a paper return. A mailed paper return can take 6-8 weeks or sometimes even longer to process. And if the IRS decides to pull a return for further review, that can add to processing time. Here are some things you should check before phoning the IRS:
If you efiled, 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 you prepared it online, does it show the status of the return as accepted, rejected, printed, started, ready to mail, or something else?
- If you used desktop software, you can check from within the software.
If that confirms that your efiled return was accepted, (or if you mailed a paper return), 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/wheres-my-refund
See what is displayed there about your refund. Is there any message when you use that tool?
Here are some tips when using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool:
- Be sure you enter the correct tax year, 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.
- Look at your actual Federal return to get the Federal refund amount, i.e., your Form 1040, Line 35a.
After that, if necessary, we can tell you how to phone the IRS, and if needed, how to contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service if you are having an economic hardship.
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
