Where is the federal income refund status posted?

A taxpayer can find his tax refund status by logging onto the Internal Revenue Service's website, located at irs.gov/refunds. The system provides refund information 24 hours after acceptance of an electronically filed return or four weeks after a taxpayer mails a paper return, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

To gain access, a taxpayer must log in using a Social Security number/tax identification number, his filing status, and the exact refund amount, says the Internal Revenue Service. Because the system updates no more than once every 24 hours, it's advisable to wait a day before checking the system again if information is not yet available.