The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where's My Refund? tool. You can start checking your refund status 24 hours after an e-filed return is received. The tool also gives you a refund date after your return is processed and a refund is approved.
You can access the Where's My Refund? tool two ways:
Visit the Where's My Refund page on the IRS website
Download the free IRS2Go app - see my post here
Check Your Refund Status Here
To use the tool, you need:
Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number
Tax filing status
The exact amount of the refund claimed on your tax return
The tool displays progress in three phases:
Return received
Refund approved
Refund sent
When the status changes to approved, this means the IRS is preparing to send the refund as a direct deposit to your bank account or directly to you in the mail, by check, to the address used on their tax return. The IRS updates the Where’s My Refund? tool once a day, usually overnight, so you don’t need to check it more often.
You should allow time for your bank to post the refund to your account or for it to be delivered by mail. Calling the IRS won't speed up a tax refund. The information available on Where's My Refund? is the same information available to IRS telephone assisters. You can find the latest status updates of IRS processing delays on their page here.
Resources:
IRS YouTube video: When Will I Get My Refund?