The first quarter of each year is a busy time for federal income tax preparers and a time when many Americans eagerly await a tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS. If you would like to find out when to expect your refund or other information regarding the processing of your refund, there are a couple of ways to get that information immediately.

Contacting the IRS

Contact the proper department of the IRS offices or use their online tools to learn the status of your federal income tax refund. Dial (800) 829-4477 to obtain the current status on your income tax refund. Or you can visit the IRS website, irs.gov. The site also offers a tool that allows users to obtain refund status information online. For those who feel comfortable submitting information through the Internet, this is the faster and easier way.

Required Information

Tax information is personal and the IRS requires you to provide certain information to prove identification, whether you are checking your status online or over the telephone. Enter your social security number into the provided fields on the refund status page. Click your filing status. Your return must match the selection you make on the website. If you filed as "single," but click "married-filing separate return" on the refund status page, your request will be denied. Enter the whole dollar amount of the refund you are expecting. This number should be located on your copy of the tax return you filed. Click "Submit" and your information will appear shortly. Close your browser after you receive your information for added security, according to the IRS website.

When To Check

If you mailed in your tax return the old-fashioned way, wait three to four weeks before checking your refund status by phone or online. If you filed electronically and the IRS acknowledges the receipt of the return, you only need to wait 72 hours to begin checking online for refund status information. Wait around four weeks to call about information regardless of how you filed. Since you will likely receive your refund on an electronically filed return in less than four weeks, the call may not be be necessary. Your information will be available on the IRS website until mid-December if you file during the first half of the year. If you file later in the year, the information will stay on the refund status site until you file a new return.

Source:

IRS: Where's My Refund?

IRS: How to Contact the IRS

More Information:

IRS: Refund Status