Check your tax refund status.
Federal and Georgia refunds are tracked separately, and each agency publishes its own tool. Here is what to expect, what to have ready, and the reasons a refund sometimes takes longer.
Last reviewed against IRS and Georgia DOR sources
Check your refund now
Both tools are free and official. Have your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and exact refund amount ready.
Typical refund timing
| How you filed | Typical timing | When status appears |
|---|---|---|
| E-filed federal return, direct deposit | Most refunds issued within 21 days of acceptance | Status available about 24 hours after e-filing |
| E-filed federal return, paper check | 21 days plus mailing time | Status available about 24 hours after e-filing |
| Paper federal return | Typically 6–8 weeks or longer | Status available about 4 weeks after mailing |
| Georgia return (e-filed) | Most issued within 3 weeks; up to 12 weeks in some cases | Georgia 'Where's My Refund' or Georgia Tax Center |
| Georgia first-time filer or no return in 5+ years | Refund arrives as a paper check | Same Georgia tools |
Common reasons a refund takes longer
- The return claims the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, which the IRS cannot release before mid-February.
- Information on the return does not match IRS or employer records, or a form was incomplete.
- The IRS or Georgia flags the return for identity verification and sends a letter asking you to confirm it is yours.
- You filed an amended return; amended federal refunds generally take 16 weeks or more.
- The refund was applied to a prior balance, unpaid child support, or certain other debts.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to check my federal refund?
Your Social Security number or ITIN, your filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on the return. The IRS tool updates once a day, usually overnight, so checking more often will not change the result.
How is a Georgia refund different from a federal refund?
Georgia processes its own returns on its own schedule. The state says most refunds go out within about three weeks, but some take up to twelve weeks, and first-time filers receive a paper check rather than direct deposit.
The tool says my return is still processing. Should I file again?
No. Filing a second return generally slows things down. If it has been more than 21 days since an e-filed federal return was accepted, or the tool tells you to contact the IRS, that is the point to follow up.
Can The Tomlin Group check my refund for me?
If we prepared your return, we can confirm that it was accepted and what refund amount to expect. The government tools themselves are personal to you, so we generally walk clients through using them.
Official resources
Links go directly to the IRS and the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Please note: This page is general information for individuals and small businesses in Georgia and is not tax, legal, or accounting advice for your specific situation. Deadlines, rates, and forms change; confirm details with the IRS, the Georgia Department of Revenue, or a Tomlin Group CPA before acting.
Have a question about your situation?
The Tomlin Group has served individuals and businesses across Alpharetta and Atlanta since 1963. We are glad to talk it through.