If you already filed, you can check the status of your federal tax refund on the dedicated IRS webpage. You'll need your Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount on your return.

If you are eligible for a tax refund, filing earlier could mean your rebate will be paid quicker, but it’s possible your return may require additional review and take longer to process. The deadline to file your taxes this year — both federal and in North Carolina — is April 15.

If the IRS owes you a tax refund, it should come within 3 weeks of filing. And in a change, 25 states are now participating in the IRS's free online filing program.

IRS tax refund may arrive sooner than you think. Here’s a schedule for when you can expect your check or direct deposit.