Here’s what HIVE AI had to say about “How do I track my federal refund status online for 2025 returns?”:

Tracking your 2025 federal refund online

The primary tool: Where’s My Refund?

• Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool at IRS.gov/Refunds or in the IRS2Go mobile app to see the status of your refund 24/7. You’ll typically see status within 24 hours of e‑filing, or about 4 weeks after mailing a paper return. Have your SSN/ITIN, filing status, and the exact whole‑dollar refund amount ready. Updates post once per day, usually overnight. 1
• The tool provides a personalized refund date after the IRS processes your return and approves the refund, and it displays three stages: Return Received, Refund Approved, Refund Sent. 2
• IRS confirmed for the 2025 filing season that e‑filers can usually check status within 24 hours; paper filers about four weeks. Where’s My Refund? is accessible on IRS.gov and via IRS2Go and now shows more detailed messages. 3

Special timing for EITC/ACTC refunds

• By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid‑February. Most such refunds should arrive by early March if you chose direct deposit and there are no other issues; Where’s My Refund? should show updated status for early filers by late February. 4
• IRS instructions reiterate the mid‑February hold applies to the entire refund, not just the credit portion. 1

When to call the IRS instead

• If you don’t have internet, use the automated refund hotline at 800‑829‑1954, available 24/7. Phone and walk‑in assistors can research only if it’s been at least 21 days since e‑filing or more than 6 weeks since mailing a paper return. 1

Tips and common issues

Make sure you’re using exact data

• Enter the exact whole‑dollar refund amount from your filed return and the correct filing status; mismatches prevent status retrieval. 1

Understand daily update cadence

• Status refreshes once per day; checking more often won’t show new information. 1

Tracking prior-year refunds

• Where’s My Refund? lets you choose the tax year; for other account details use your IRS Online Account. 2

Lost or misdirected direct deposit

• If your refund was sent to the wrong account or is missing, the IRS coordinates with the financial institution to trace and recover funds and will issue a replacement refund when a misdirected direct deposit is determined. 5

Quick start links

• Where’s My Refund? at IRS.gov/Refunds or in the IRS2Go app 1
• About Where’s My Refund? (what you’ll see and when) 2
• IRS news reminder for 2025 filing season availability and timing 3

Sources

1 – IRS.gov – 1040 (2024) 📄 Summarize
2 – IRS.gov – About Where’s My Refund? 📄 Summarize
3 – IRS Newsroom – IR-2025-25 📄 Summarize
4 – IRS Newsroom – IR-2025-22 📄 Summarize
5 – Treasury Regulation 301.6402-2 📄 Summarize

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