Where’s My Refund?The IRS starts accepting tax returns in January. However, you will wait longer if you wait until the last minute to file. It also depends on how you filed your tax papers. The IRS processes E-filed taxes quickly, so your refund will come faster if you e-file. However, you could wait up to 4 weeks for your refund if you file by mail. You can quickly check the status of your refund below.