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The Daily Insight

When do you get your tax refund when you mail it in?

Author

Henry Morales

Published Mar 03, 2026

Generally you can get tax refund information 72 hours after the IRS has acknowledged the receipt of your e-filed tax return, or three to four weeks after mailing a paper tax return. Before you check your tax refund status under Step 2 below, make sure you have a copy of your tax return handy.

Where can I view my e-filed tax return?

Go to the ‘My Account’ menu and Click ‘View e-Filed Returns / Forms’ hyperlink. Select the applicable option from the dropdown and click ‘Submit’ to view the details of the e-Filed Return/Forms. Go to ​ ​​​​ TAX INFORMATION AND SERVICES

How can I find out if my tax return was submitted?

Find out if Your Tax Return Was Submitted You can file your tax return by mail, through an e-filing website or software, or by using the services of a tax preparer. Whether you owe taxes or you’re expecting a refund, you can find out your tax return’s status by: Using the IRS Where’s My Refund tool

Is there a fee for efile tax refund?

A service processing fee (e-Collect fee) of only $24.95 will be charged for this service. This fee is charged by EPS Financial, not eFile.com, and will be automatically deducted from your tax refund.

For mailed tax returns, the refund processing time is 6 to 8 weeks from the date the IRS receives your tax return. You should begin checking the status of your tax refund 4 weeks after you mail a paper tax return. To track your e-filed tax refund:

Do you get federal refund before state refund?

The IRS processes federal tax returns, while your state government processes the state tax returns. These are two different administrations that work independently of each other. So, it is common for you to receive your state tax refund before you receive your federal refund.

Why is my tax refund missing from my mailbox?

Having your refund stolen from your mailbox is another possibility. And a government shutdown, such as the one that took place in January 2019, could also result in a longer wait for your return to be processed and your refund sent. If the IRS’ Where’s My Refund? tool isn’t offering any answers, you can turn to your local IRS office for help.

Where can I check the status of my federal tax refund?

When you file your federal income tax return, you can check the status of your tax refund by visiting the IRS website or its mobile app. However, each state has its own process for handling state income taxes.