There are three status updates which the taxpayer might see: “received return,” “refund approved,” or “refund sent.” If the refund has been sent, it could be up to 5 days before the money shows up in your bank account or a few weeks before your check has been received.

Most taxpayers have until April 15 to file their tax returns completely. As you assemble your desk to file taxes, here’s what you need to know.

While the Internal Revenue Service began accepting returns late last month, it still might be too early to expect a refund in your bank account. Luckily, you can track the status of your refund through the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund” tool.

The IRS started accepting 2024 tax returns on Jan. 27, and the agency posted the first statistics from tax season 2025 last Friday, Feb. 7. This year's numbers show that the agency has already processed more than 11 million returns and issued more than 3.2 million tax refunds.

IRS tax refund may arrive sooner than you think. Here’s a schedule for when you can expect your check or direct deposit.

Visit the tracker page on the IRS website and click the Check your refund button. Once directed to the Refund Status page, enter your details and click Submit. You should be directed to your refund status. Note that it takes 24 hours after you e-file your return or four weeks after you file a paper tax return for your status to appear.