Are you expecting a tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this

year?

If so, here are seven things you should know about checking the status of

your refund once you have filed your federal tax return.

1. Online Access to Refund Information

Where's My Refund? are interactive tools on href="http://www.IRS.gov">http://www.IRS.gov and the fastest, easiest way to

get information about your federal income tax refund. Whether you split your

refund among several accounts, opted for direct deposit into one account, used

part of your refund to buy U.S. savings bonds or asked the IRS to mail you a

check, 

2. When to Check Refund Status

If you e-file, you can get refund information 72 hours after the IRS

acknowledges receipt of your return. If you file a paper return, refund

information will generally be available three to four weeks after mailing your

return. 

3. What You Need to Check Refund Status

When checking the status of your refund, have your federal tax return handy.

To get your personalized refund information you must enter:

• Your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

• Your filing status which will be Single, Married Filing Joint Return,

  Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)

• Exact whole dollar refund amount shown on your tax return

4. What the Online Tool

Will Tell You Once you enter your personal information, you could get several

responses, including:

• Acknowledgement that your return was received and is in processing.

• The mailing date or direct deposit date of your refund.

• Notice that the IRS could not deliver your refund due to an incorrect

  address. In this instance, you may be able to change or correct your address

  online using Where's My Refund?.

5. Customized Information

Where's My Refund? also includes links to customized information

based on your specific situation. The links guide you through the steps to

resolve any issues affecting your refund.  For example, if you do not get

the refund within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date shown on Where's My

Refund?, you may be able to start a refund trace.

6. Visually Impaired Taxpayers

Where's My Refund? is also accessible to visually impaired taxpayers

who use the Job Access with Speech screen reader used with a Braille display and

is compatible with different JAWS modes.

7. Toll-free Number

If you do not have internet access, you can check the status of your refund

in English or Spanish by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954 or the

IRS TeleTax System at 800-829-4477. When calling, you must provide your or your

spouse's Social Security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar refund

amount shown on your return.

Refund checks are normally sent out weekly on Fridays. If you check the

status of your refund and are not given the date it will be issued, please wait

until the next week before checking back.

Links on IRS.gov

Where's my refund?
href="http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html">http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html