You can check the status of your return and your refund check (for paper returns) or direct deposit (for electronic returns) at the IRS.gov website. The “Where’s My Refund?” portal provides an estimate of when you should expect your refund and any status using a reference code.
Where’s My Refund?
The IRS established the “Where’s My Refund?” portal to allow taxpayers to check the status of their federal income tax return and refund. To retrieve information from the portal you need three pieces of information: your Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), your filing status and amount of the refund that you are expecting. This refund amount should be listed in whole dollars and must match the amount listed on your tax forms exactly.
Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN or TIN)
Most taxpayers include a Social Security number on their tax returns. But certain taxpayers, such as resident and nonresident aliens, are not eligible to get one. The Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is designed to allow individuals to file federal and state income tax returns, without an SSN.
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When is IRS Where’s My Refund Available?
IRS Where’s My Refund? is available almost all of the time. However, the IRS system is not available every Monday, early, from 12:00 am (Midnight) to 3:00 am Eastern Time.
The IRS Change of Address and Refund Trace features are not available during the following times (Eastern Time):
Sunday | 12:00 am (Midnight) to 7:00 pm |
Monday | 12:00 am (Midnight) to 6:00 am |
Tuesday | 3:30 am to 6:00 am |
Wednesday | 3:30 am to 6:00 am |
Thursday | 3:30 am to 6:00 am |
Friday | 3:30 am to 6:00 am |
Saturday | 3:30 am to 6:00 am |
and 9:00 pm to Midnight | |
Also, occasionally the IRS system may be unavailable on Sundays between 1:00 am and 7:00 am Eastern Time.
Reference Code 1541 is an internal code that the IRS uses to identify returns that have been “Delayed”. This doesn’t mean there is something wrong with your return, it could simply be that the IRS has an overflow of returns at this time and is behind schedule on issuing refunds. There are different reasons accounting for the 1541 reference number.
To be absolutely sure on the status of your refund, I would recommend you contact the IRS directly mention the reference the code 1541 to them. You can reach them at +1(800) 829-1040. Check Where’s My Refund? as well tor tracking the refund. The IRS website updates every 24 hours, so I would keep checking it for an update.
If the below applies to you, this could likely be the reason:
If you claimed an Earned Income Tax Credit and/or an Additional Child Tax Credit and filed before February 15, 2019, the IRS indicated you’ll get your refund the week of February 27 at the earliest, check with the IRS on any revised updates. The IRS states they will begin issuing tax refunds on returns with the EIC or Additional Child Tax Credit on February 27, 2019. Check the IRS’ website for updates
According to the IRS on taxpayers claiming Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit–https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2043en.pdf
Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. If a taxpayer is claiming the EITC or the ACTC, they can file their return any time after the filing season begins. However, by law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). Keep in mind that only a small percentage of total filers will fall into this situation. While the IRS will process taxpayer returns when they are received, it cannot issue related refunds before mid-February. The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards starting on Feb 27, 2019, if they chose direct deposit and there are no
other issues with their tax return.
Some 2018 federal refunds will be delayed due to the PATH Act
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (aka “PATH Act”) prevents the IRS from issuing early refunds on any tax return claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) and/or Additional Child Tax Credit.
Because identity thieves frequently claim one or both of these refundable tax credits, this measure gives the IRS extra time to detect fraudulently-filed returns, which in turn helps identity theft victims get their legitimate refunds more quickly.