Answers and tools, in one place.
Trusted places to check a refund, look up a deadline, or figure out what to hold on to — between conversations. When something turns on your specific numbers, bring it to us.
Guides
Track your refund
How to follow a federal or state refund, what you need on hand, and the timing to expect.
Read the guide DeadlinesAnnual tax timeline
The filing-season rhythm — returns, extensions, and quarterly estimates through the year.
Read the guide RecordkeepingRecords to keep
How long to hold returns and supporting documents, in a simple table.
Read the guideOfficial IRS tools
These open the IRS’s own websites in a new tab. Tahtouh Tax is not affiliated with the IRS.
Where’s My Refund?
Track a filed federal refund from about 24 hours after e-filing.
Open on IRS.gov Plan aheadWithholding Estimator
See whether your paycheck withholding is on track and get figures for a new W-4.
Open on IRS.gov Your recordsIRS Online Account
View balances, payment history, prior-year figures, and most notices in one place.
Open on IRS.gov Make a paymentIRS Direct Pay
Pay a balance or a quarterly estimate from a bank account, no fee, no account to set up.
Open on IRS.gov Look it upInteractive Tax Assistant
Short guided questionnaires on filing requirements, dependents, taxable income, and more.
Open on IRS.gov ReferenceForms & Instructions
The official library of current federal forms, schedules, and line-by-line instructions.
Open on IRS.govBefore you file — what to gather
- Prior-year return. Last year’s federal and state returns as filed.
- Identity details. SSNs or ITINs and dates of birth for everyone on the return; an IP PIN if the IRS issued you one.
- Income documents. W-2s, and 1099s for contract work, interest, dividends, retirement, or brokerage activity; K-1s from any partnership or S corporation.
- Deductions and credits. Records for mortgage interest, property tax, charitable gifts, education, child care, energy improvements, and medical costs, where they apply.
- Business and rental records. Income and categorized expenses, mileage, and asset purchases for the year.
- Payments already made. Estimated tax payments and any prior-year refund applied forward.
A note on accuracy. These guides are general and deliberately avoid year-specific dollar figures so they stay useful between filing seasons. Rules also differ by state and by situation. Confirm anything that matters with us or on IRS.gov before acting on it.