IRS Opens Tax Refund Inquiry Resources

A few weeks ago, I posted the projected Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax refund schedule ("IRS Delays The Start Of Tax Season") for the millions of electronic tax filers (e-filers) due to the late start of the income tax season this year (and yes, April 15th is still the due date).  Well, for the rest of us who are not in such a hurry to (pay others to) prepare and receive our tax refunds, the IRS has officially begun to make available it's Tax Refund Status inquiry center.
Filer can now log onto the IRS "Get Refund Status" website, and retrieve information on when they can expect to receive their tax refunds.  However, in order to retrieve this information, you will need to remember your filing status, your social security number, and the exact amount you expect to be receiving.
Additionally, the IRS cautions that there are guidelines filers should follow in making these inquiries:

• Refund information for the most current tax year that you filed will generally be available 72 hours after we acknowledge receipt of your e-filed return, or three to four weeks after you mail your paper return
• Get Refund Status does not track refunds that are claimed on amended tax returns. Amended/corrected returns may take 8 to 12 weeks, or longer, to process.
• If it's been more than 8 weeks since you filed your amended return and you haven't received your refund, please contact a customer service representative by calling 800-829-1040. From outside the U.S., call 267-941-1000. TTY/TDD: 800-829-4059

Get Refund Status is available almost all of the time. However, our system is not available every Monday, early, from 12:00 am (Midnight) to 3:00 am Eastern Time.  The IRS's Change of Address and Refund Trace features are not available during the following times (Eastern Time):

Sunday           12:00 am (Midnight) to 7:00 pm
Monday          12:00 am (Midnight) to 6:00 am
Tuesday          3:30 am to 6:00 am
Wednesday     3:30 am to 6:00 am
Thursday         3:30 am to 6:00 am
Friday             3:30 am to 6:00 am
Saturday         3:30 am to 6:00 am and 9:00 pm to Midnight


Finally, the IRS's online and telephone information retrieval systems do not operate on a 24 hours, 7 days a week level of availability.  The window of opportunity to get this information is as follows:


Also, occasionally the system may be unavailable on Sundays between 1:00 am and 7:00 am, Eastern Time.