Tax season is underway. If you filed immediately, there’s a good chance your federal tax refund will hit your bank account within the next week. The fastest way to get your federal tax refund is by filing your return electronically and using direct deposit.

The IRS began processing tax returns Monday. For filers who submit their returns electronically using direct deposit, refunds are generally issued in less than 21 days. There is a caution from the tax agency, however, that urges “taxpayers not to rely on receiving refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

Typically, a paper check will take three to eight weeks to arrive in your mailbox, but you can track exactly where your tax refund is and when you can expect to receive it with the USPS' tracking tool, Informed Delivery. The free service sends you alerts for all new mail and provides images of the front of envelopes.

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.

The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

If you're looking to save some extra money or maybe pay off some debt, a tax refund could help. Here's how to track your tax refund.