Where’s my refund?
Hey - Where’s my refund?
You’ve got the returns filed and because of awesome tax strategy or an overly conservative withholding rate, you’re getting a refund! Before you can book those tickets to some place warm and sunny or less fun, replace the water heater, you need to know, ‘Hey IRS, where is my money?!’
The IRS provides a link on their website that will allow you to see where your refund is in their system. To track your cash follow the steps below:
Federal refunds can be tracked online at ‘IRS Where’s My Refund’
Enter in your social security number. Even if you’re filing married filing joint, your social security number alone will bring up the refund from your joint return.
Select the tax year you’re waiting on a refund for, this will coincide with the year printed on your tax form.
Select your filing status. This can be found on the first page of your form 1040 under ‘Filing Status’.
Enter the refund amount shown on the tax return as filed. For most individual filers using a 1040 this will be on page 2, line 35a of the 1040 form.
California refunds can also be tracked online at ‘Where’s My Refund | FTB’
Enter in your social security number. Even if you’re filing married filing joint, your social security number alone will bring up the refund from your joint return.
Enter in the numbers in mailing address. For example, if your address is 183 Main Street, Sunny Cove, CA 95033 would enter ‘183’. This should match the address used on the tax return.
Enter in the zip code. Again, use the zip code as provided on the filed tax return.
Enter the refund amount shown on the tax return as filed. For most individual filers using a 540 this will be on side 4, line 99 of the 540 form.
Electronically filed returns will process faster than paper file returns and refunds can usually be anticipated in 2-4 weeks from the date the return was successfully filed. To further expedite the receipt of your refund, opt to have the money directly deposited into a bank account.
If the status of your refund does not show as processing or refunded, don’t fret. The IRS/FTB can usually shed some light on to why they might be holding your refund by calling the number provided with the status. If you ever need additional help understanding your tax situation or why the IRS/FTB may have held on to or adjusted your refund, feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help resolve your issue quickly or give you clarity around your tax situation.