The Internal Revenue Service now has an online tool that allows users to get information on the status of their refunds and exactly where they are at any given time. Called “Where’s My Refund”, the tool quickly allows users to get an up-to-the-minute look at where your refund is at in the system.

In order to get an update on your tax return the IRS requires a few pieces of information;

Your Social Security number or Taxpayer ID number.

Your expected refund amount.

Your filing status.         

The IRS has said that you need to keep in mind that the updated status will not be available until your return is on file and in their system. Normally, if you file an electronic return you can expect to get an update after 72 hours. For those mailing in their return, the waiting time can be up to four weeks.

The link to go to the IRS website and access the Where’s My Refund tool is http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html

How many people are actually wanting to know the status of their tax refunds? The search term “where’s my refund” was near the top of the Google’s hot search trends for January 19th.