There's just a few days left until the tax filing deadline, and if you've gotten your return in order by now and are expecting a refund, you might be looking for better and more accurately tracking its progress, especially if you've been hearing about the amounts people are getting back this year.
According to data the IRS released last week, more than 80 million returns have been processed so far, about 66 million of which qualified for refunds. More than $200 billion has been paid out in those refunds, with the average payment being higher than last year, a fact that might be making you even more antsy about getting yours ASAP. According to a recent survey CNET conducted, those refunds are being put to good use, with 20% of respondents saying they plan to use their money to pay bills, 18% planning to pay down debts and 7% planning to use it for rent or mortgage payments.
It can be frustrating if you're stuck in limbo between filing and getting your refund. You might be tempted to look for methods that may give you a clearer picture of when you'll get that refund but you should be careful. This past week, the IRS debunked a series of "myths" about this issue and directed taxpayers to the options that will serve them best for tracking their federal refund.
For a breakdown of all these myths keep reading and, if you want more tax season coverage, find out if your state offers its own version of the child tax credit. Also check out CNET's breakdown of the best tax software available in 2025.Â
What is the best way to track my tax refund?
Above all other options available to you, the IRS recommends that you use its Where's My Refund online tool to track when your payment will arrive. You can also try the IRS2Go app or visit your official IRS account online but you'll be getting the same info no matter which option you choose.
If the info you get from those sources doesn't feel like enough, you might need to be on guard against myths and misconceptions that the IRS has warned people against.
Myth No. 1: Can I call someone to get my tax refund date?
You might think that calling the IRS, your tax professional or the company that provided your tax filing software might provide you with a more accurate date for when your refund will arrive. While you can get information about your refund from these places, the IRS stressed that it won't be any different or more specific than what you'll get from the options mentioned above.
If that still sounds fine to you, give the IRS refund hotline a ring at 800-829-1954.
Myth No. 2: Can I get my tax refund date by ordering a transcript?
Ordering a tax transcript will give a look at how much you might owe in taxes and your tax payment history. If you suspect that a date for your pending refund might also be in there, don't count on it. In its release, the IRS said bluntly that "a tax transcript will not help taxpayers find out when they will get their refund."
Myth No. 3: If Where's My Refund shows a different tax refund amount, is it wrong?
For any number of reasons, your refund amount can shift before it gets to you. If the amount Where's My Refund is showing you isn't what you expected or saw previously, it is still most likely accurate and you can expect to receive some communication about the change eventually. It does not, crucially, mean that the number is incorrect or that any other info, such as your estimated delivery time, is also incorrect so don't stress about it.
Myth No. 4: Is Where's My Refund incorrect if it doesn't show a deposit date?
On a similar note, the IRS stressed that your Where's My Refund page not having a specific deposit date does not indicate that any of the information it is giving you is incorrect.
For more, check out why you might be a little too worried about audits.
