If you file a federal return for tax year 2026 (filed in 2027) and expect money back, you can track your refund through the IRS’s official tools. This includes many immigrants and visa holders who file with an SSN or ITIN, such as nonresidents, residents for tax purposes, and dual-status taxpayers.
Examples include nonresidents who must file Form 1040-NR, and residents for tax purposes who file Form 1040. Dual-status taxpayers often file a Form 1040 with a Form 1040-NR statement attached, depending on the year’s facts.
For guidance on resident and nonresident rules, see IRS Publication 519 at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf.
The one requirement that matters most
The most important requirement is simple: your “Where’s My Refund?” inputs must match the filed return exactly. The IRS refund tracker is a status system. It is not a case manager.
If you enter the wrong filing status or the wrong refund amount, you will get a “no information found” result. Accuracy of the three inputs is critical.
“Where’s My Refund?” cannot speed up processing and will not explain every internal review, even when the IRS is checking a return.
Official options you should rely on in 2027
- Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov
- IRS2Go mobile app (same status data as IRS.gov)
Timing expectations (set conservatively)
If you e-file, your status is often available within about 24 hours after IRS acceptance. That timing is a common experience but not guaranteed.
If you mail a paper return, the status may take about 4 weeks to appear, sometimes longer during peak season. Paper handling and mail delivery add uncertainty.
Eligibility checklist: can you use Where’s My Refund? in 2027?
| Checklist item | You’re eligible if… | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identifier | You have an SSN or ITIN | The tool matches your return to IRS records. |
| Return filed | Your Form 1040 or 1040-NR was filed and accepted/received | No return in the system means no status yet. |
| Filing status | You select the same filing status as on the return | “Single” vs “Married filing jointly” mismatches are common. |
| Refund amount | You enter the exact whole-dollar refund from the filed return | Even $1 off can block access. |
| Refund type | You’re checking an original return refund | Amended returns use a different tracker. |
For IRS background rules on resident and nonresident filing, start with Publication 519 and the IRS international portal at irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers.
Step-by-step: file correctly first (because filing choices affect refunds)
Refund tracking works best when the underlying filing is clean. For many immigrants, the biggest early decision is which return you file.
Step 1: Confirm your U.S. tax residency for 2026
Common guideposts from IRS Publication 519 include the Green Card Test and the Substantial Presence Test. Green card holders are usually residents under the Green Card Test.
Many visa holders become residents under the Substantial Presence Test. Some students and scholars (often F-1/J-1) may be “exempt individuals” for limited years depending on facts.
Step 2: Choose the right form
- Form 1040: Most U.S. tax residents file this and report worldwide income
- Form 1040-NR: Many nonresidents file this and report certain U.S.-source income
- Dual-status: Some first-year arrivals or departure years require special handling
Step 3: File and pick your refund delivery method
Direct deposit is usually fastest, but only if the account details are correct. A paper check can take longer due to mail delivery and address verification.
For forms and instructions, use irs.gov/forms-pubs.
For most taxpayers, the federal return is due in mid-April, with an extension available to mid-October. An extension to file is not an extension to pay.
Documents you’ll need (to file, and to track your refund without guessing)
Before you file, gather records that support your identity, filing status, income, credits, and banking details. Missing or mismatched paperwork is a common source of refund problems.
- Identity and filing status (SSN/ITIN letters, spouse/child info, address history)
- Income reporting (W-2s, 1099s, scholarship forms for some students, and withholding statements)
- Tax credits and withholding (child-related credits, education credits, estimated tax payments)
- Banking details for direct deposit (routing and account numbers, and the exact account type)
After you file, keep proof answering two questions: when the IRS received the return, and what exactly was filed. That proof is crucial if the IRS asks questions later.
How to check your refund status online (IRS.gov and IRS2Go)
The workflow is the same whether you use IRS.gov or IRS2Go. The tracker provides quick status snapshots, not detailed explanations.
Step 1: Use the official IRS refund tracker
Go to the IRS website and choose Where’s My Refund? You should only use IRS-controlled platforms, especially during filing season.
Step 2: Enter the three required inputs exactly
- SSN or ITIN.
- Filing status (exactly as filed).
- Refund amount from the return, in whole dollars.
The tracker matches to the IRS’s stored refund figure. If your software shows cents, drop the cents and use the whole-dollar amount.
Find the refund amount on the filed return PDF or printout. On Form 1040, use the refund line on the final section. On Form 1040-NR, use the refund amount shown on that return.
Step 3: Check once per day, not every hour
The IRS generally updates refund status once daily, often overnight. Multiple checks during the same day usually show the same result.
Step 4: Use IRS2Go if you prefer mobile
IRS2Go pulls the same refund status messages as IRS.gov. It is simply another way to access the same system.
If you want to confirm you are using official IRS channels, start from IRS.gov or the IRS international portal at irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers.
Understanding the three refund status phases
Where’s My Refund? typically shows one of three phases. Each phase is broad by design and intended as a snapshot.
1) Return Received
This usually means the IRS has your return and has started processing it. It can remain here longer when the IRS is verifying wages or withholding against third-party reports.
It may also stay in this phase if the return is pulled for identity review or if the IRS needs extra time to validate credits or deductions.
2) Refund Approved
This means the IRS has approved the refund and will provide an issue date. Treat the issue date as the day the IRS sends the payment, not the day money must appear in your account.
Banks have their own posting schedules that affect when funds appear in your account.
3) Refund Sent
This means the IRS has issued the refund. For direct deposit, your bank may post funds after the IRS sends them. For a paper check, delivery depends on the U.S. mail and address handling.
If the status changes but your money does not show up, document dates and keep calm. Many “missing refund” worries are bank posting delays.
Expected processing times by scenario (e-file, paper, credits, amended returns)
Refund timing depends on how you filed and what is on the return. The following are general expectations and common experiences.
E-filed original returns
The IRS’s public guidance often states many e-filed refunds are issued within 21 days of acceptance. That is a common experience for simple returns but not a guarantee.
Paper-filed original returns
Paper returns are often slower because they require manual handling and mail delivery adds uncertainty. It can take weeks for the return to enter processing, and longer during peak season.
Returns claiming EITC or ACTC (PATH Act delays)
If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold many refunds until at least mid-February. Timing after release varies.
A practical expectation many filers see: refunds may arrive in early March for some taxpayers who e-file and use direct deposit, assuming no other issues.
Amended returns
Amended returns are tracked separately and are slower. They may take several weeks to show up and often take many weeks to process during heavy periods.
Use the IRS’s amended return tracker rather than Where’s My Refund? when you file Form 1040-X.
Common delays and what to do next
Refund delays are frustrating, but most have ordinary causes like math differences, missing schedules, or wage and withholding mismatches.
- Math or calculation differences found by the IRS
- Missing schedules or incomplete entries
- Wage and withholding mismatch versus W-2 or 1099 data
- Identity verification or fraud filters, especially after address changes
Remember practical timing issues: weekends and federal holidays can affect posting, and banks may post deposits on their own schedules even after “Refund Sent.”
If the IRS mails you a letter
Read every page carefully. IRS letters usually tell you what the IRS needs, when you must respond, and what happens if you do nothing.
Respond by the deadline and keep copies of everything you send.
Should you call the IRS?
Calling usually provides the same status already shown online and generally does not speed processing. A call can make sense in certain situations.
- You received an IRS notice and need clarification
- The IRS tells you to call after a stated waiting period
- Your refund was marked “sent,” but a reasonable time has passed with no deposit or check
Direct deposit in 2026: setup checks that prevent avoidable delays
Direct deposit is usually the fastest delivery method, but it is not automatic. Common avoidable issues include incorrect routing or account numbers and closed accounts.
Other triggers for review include bank name checks and refunds routed through temporary accounts used by some preparers. If direct deposit fails, the IRS may reverse the deposit and reissue a check, which adds time.
If you need to escalate a genuine hardship situation, review Taxpayer Advocate Service guidance at irs.gov/taxpayer-advocate and document your e-file acceptance record, bank rejection details, and any IRS letters and dates.
Refund averages, expectations, and the filing deadline (without the hype)
Refund headlines can be misleading. Averages do not predict your refund. Your refund depends on withholding, credits, and life changes like marriage or a new child.
A refund usually means you overpaid during the year or qualified for refundable credits. It is not “free money.” Filing earlier can reduce processing bottlenecks, but an extension to file is not an extension to pay.
If you are waiting on a late W-2 or corrected 1099, filing too early can backfire because mismatches often trigger review.
State refunds and IRS transcripts: what to check when the IRS status isn’t enough
State refunds are separate; a federal “Refund Sent” update does not mean your state refund is sent. Use your state revenue agency’s official portal for state status.
If Where’s My Refund? is too vague, transcripts and the IRS Online Account can help confirm what the IRS has posted.
An IRS Online Account can show whether the return was processed, whether a refund transaction posted, and whether offsets or adjustments occurred. Create or sign in through irs.gov/account.
Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, and avoid links in unsolicited emails or texts.
Refund tracking inputs and a simple recordkeeping system
Refund tracking works best when you treat it like a timeline. The three inputs that must match the filed return are critical.
- SSN/ITIN: exactly as filed
- Filing status: exactly as filed for tax year 2026
- Refund amount: exactly as shown on the filed return, in whole dollars
Record key dates: e-file acceptance date/time, mailing date for paper returns, any IRS letter date and response due date, and the date your bank posts the deposit or a check arrives.
Store proof: a PDF copy of the filed return and schedules, e-file acceptance confirmations, mailing proof (if certified), and bank records showing deposit or rejection details. These records make it easier to respond to IRS letters or correct errors.
IRS resources and when to get professional help
- Refund tracking and accounts: IRS.gov and irs.gov/account
- International tax guidance: irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers
- Forms and publications: irs.gov/forms-pubs
- Publication 519 (aliens): irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf
Get professional help if you have dual-status issues, treaty positions, missing W-2s, identity verification problems, amended return needs (Form 1040-X), or a refund held due to complex credit questions.
Current as of: January 26, 2026.
Action items
- File the correct return for your 2026 residency status (Form 1040 vs Form 1040-NR), using Publication 519 as your guide.
- Track only through Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app, using exact inputs.
- If you receive an IRS letter, respond by the stated deadline and keep copies of everything.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax situations vary based on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified tax professional or CPA for guidance specific to your situation.
