When does the IRS send out refund checks?

In 2014, the first date the IRS began processing and issuing refund checks was January 31st. Most refunds are issued within 21 calendar days from the date that the IRS acknowledges acceptance of the tax return.

To determine the stage of processing for a tax refund, people can visit the Internal Revenue Service's "Where’s My Refund" online tool or the IRS2Go mobile app. These tools reveal the receipt of the tax return, whether or not the refund is approved and the date the tax refund is expected to be issued. It also provides the expected refund amount and advises if there are any delays in processing. These tools are updated every 24 hours following the receipt of the tax return.