If you mail in a paper return, the refund should be issued within roughly six to eight weeks of the date the IRS receives the filing, again assuming it's accurate and complete. Once you file your taxes, you can track your refund on the IRS website.

There are a few signs it might be time to contact the IRS about a delayed tax refund. First and foremost, the Where’s My Refund tracker on the official website might instruct you to call the IRS. You should also call if it’s been more than 21 days since you e-filed or more than six weeks since you mailed a federal tax return.