Check Status Online

• 1). Collect the appropriate information from your tax return, including your filing status, exact refund amount and Social Security number.
  
  
• 2). Visit the IRS's "Where's My Refund?" Web page (see Resource).
  
  
• 3). Read through the information on the landing page, then click the blue "Where's My Refund?" link at the top of the page under "How can I get my personal refund information?"
  
  
• 4). Input the information you collected in Step 1 into the appropriate fields on the Refund Status page, then select "Submit."
  
  
• 5). View your federal income tax return status and take note of any important dates.
  
  

Check Status Over the Phone

• 1). Collect the important information from your tax return, such as your filing status, exact refund amount and your Social Security number.
  
  
• 2). Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and input your information at the prompts to receive the status of your federal tax return.
  
  
• 3). Take note of important dates, such as when your refund is scheduled to be mailed out or deposited in your bank account.