There are three status updates which the taxpayer might see: “received return,” “refund approved,” or “refund sent.” If the refund has been sent, it could be up to 5 days before the money shows up in your bank account or a few weeks before your check has been received.

Go to the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool at www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund. Click the “Check your refund” button. On the refund status page, enter your Social Security Number. Next, select the tax year you are inquiring about.