Note: If you and your spouse filed a joint return, you can type in either of your Social Security numbers.

You'll then learn the status of your refund and, in some cases, instructions on how to resolve delivery problems. Generally you will have information about your refund 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return or three to four weeks after mailing in a paper return.

The IRS suggests that you check back weekly on Wednesdays for updates.

The "Where's My Refund" tool is available 24/7 except from midnight to 3am EST on Mondays.

Using your telephone

You can also check on a refund over the phone. Call 800-829-1954.

IRS advice

While only a small percentage of checks mailed out by the IRS are returned as undelivered, you can avoid the whole problem of lost, stolen or undelivered checks by signing up for direct deposit when you file either paper or electronic returns. Then refunds will be deposited directly into your bank. You can also split a tax refund into two or three financial accounts or even purchase a government savings bond.

The IRS also recommends that taxpayers file returns electronically, because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds.

Caution

The IRS does not contact taxpayers by e-mail to alert them of pending refunds. If you receive such an e-mail, it is most likely part of an identity theft scam.

The best way to verify if you have a pending refund is to go directly to the  IRS's "Where's My Refund" tool, mentioned above.