Where to check your federal tax refund status and amount
The IRS has a tool called Where's My Refund? that shows you the exact amount of your federal refund and when it will arrive. You reach it through IRS.gov, and it updates every 24 hours after the IRS processes your return. You need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return to use it.
Where's My Refund? tells you three things: whether the IRS has received your return, whether they have approved it, and the deposit or mailing date. The tool shows your refund amount once the IRS has accepted your return — usually within a few days of e-filing, or up to three weeks after mailing a paper return. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the tool will also show the bank account where your money will land.
You can also call the IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954 to get the same information by phone. Have your return handy when you call. The wait time is often long during tax season (January through May), so the online tool is usually faster.
Key Takeaways
- Use Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov to see your exact federal refund amount and expected arrival date, updated every 24 hours.
- The tool works only after the IRS has received and begun processing your return, which takes a few days for e-filed returns or up to three weeks for paper returns.
- You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your tax return to check your status.
- State tax refunds are tracked separately through your state's tax department website, not through the IRS.
- If Where's My Refund? shows an error or your refund is delayed beyond the expected date, contact the IRS directly or visit a local tax assistance center.
What information you need to check your refund
Before you go to Where's My Refund?, gather three pieces of information. First, your Social Security number — the one on the tax return you filed. Second, your filing status as it appears on that return: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow(er). Third, the exact refund amount you claimed on your return — this is the number from line 33 (Form 1040) or the final refund line on whatever form you used.
If you filed jointly with a spouse, you can check the refund using either spouse's Social Security number, but you must use the filing status "married filing jointly." The refund amount must match exactly what you reported on your return. If you claimed a refund of $1,847 but enter $1,800, the tool will not recognize your return.
If you do not have your return in front of you, look for your filing confirmation email (if you e-filed) or the IRS acknowledgment notice that came in the mail (if you filed on paper). Both show your refund amount. You can also contact a tax professional or the IRS directly if you cannot locate this number.
How to use Where's My Refund? step by step
Go to IRS.gov and search for "Where's My Refund?" or navigate directly to the tool. Click the button to begin. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount in the fields provided. The tool will ask you to verify that you are not a robot, usually by solving a CAPTCHA.
After you submit, the tool displays one of three messages. "Return Received" means the IRS has your return but has not finished processing it yet — check back in 24 hours. "Approved" means the IRS has accepted your return and calculated your refund; this message includes your expected deposit or mailing date. "Sent" means your refund has already been mailed or deposited.
If the tool says "Sent" but you have not received the money, note the date shown. Direct deposits typically arrive within one to two business days of the date shown. Paper checks take seven to ten business days from the mailing date. If you are past that window, contact the IRS or check your bank account to confirm the deposit did not arrive under a different name or account.
Tracking state tax refunds separately
Your state tax refund is tracked through your state's tax department, not the IRS. Each state runs its own refund system and timeline. Some states process refunds faster than the federal government; others take longer. You cannot see your state refund on Where's My Refund?
To check your state refund, visit your state's department of revenue or taxation website. Search for "refund status" or "where's my refund" on that site. Most states have a similar tool that asks for your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. A few states require your driver's license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number instead. The state tool updates on its own schedule, often daily but sometimes weekly.
If you filed your federal and state returns at the same time using tax software, your state return may process faster or slower than your federal return. It is normal for them to arrive weeks apart. Check both tools separately to track each refund.
What to do if Where's My Refund? shows an error
If the tool says "Return Not Found," your return either has not arrived yet or the information you entered does not match what the IRS has on file. Wait 24 hours and try again. If you e-filed, the IRS usually receives your return within a few hours; if you mailed it, allow up to three weeks. Double-check that you entered your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount exactly as they appear on your return — even a single digit off will cause the tool to reject your search.
If the tool shows an error message like "Please try again later" or "System temporarily unavailable," the IRS website is experiencing high traffic. Try again in a few hours. During peak tax season (February through April), the tool can be slow or temporarily offline during evening hours.
If you have waited the appropriate time, entered your information correctly, and the tool still does not find your return, contact the IRS directly. Call 1-800-829-1954 or visit a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Bring your return, filing confirmation email, or acknowledgment notice with you. The IRS can tell you whether your return was received and why it is not showing up in the tool.
Understanding refund timelines shown in the tool
When Where's My Refund? shows an expected date, that is when the IRS will send your money out — not when it will arrive in your account or mailbox. For direct deposits, add one to two business days to that date. For paper checks, add seven to ten business days. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days.
The IRS aims to issue most refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, but this varies. If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until mid-February, even if they process your return earlier. This delay is automatic and not an error. Where's My Refund? will show your expected date accounting for this hold.
If your return is flagged for review — because of missing information, inconsistencies, or random audit selection — the IRS will delay your refund while they investigate. Where's My Refund? may show "Still Being Processed" or a later-than-expected date. The tool does not always explain why the delay exists, but the IRS will mail you a letter if they need more information from you.
What to do if your refund is late
If the date shown in Where's My Refund? has passed and you have not received your money, first confirm that the deposit actually did not arrive. Check your bank account for deposits under your name, your spouse's name (if filing jointly), or any variation. Some banks deposit refunds to a different account than you expected if you set up direct deposit incorrectly.
If the refund truly has not arrived, wait a few more business days. Direct deposits can take up to five business days in rare cases, and paper checks can take up to two weeks. If you are still waiting after that window, contact the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1954 or use Where's My Refund? to request a refund trace. The IRS will investigate whether your refund was sent and, if so, where it went. A trace takes about four weeks.
If you filed a paper return and the IRS has not received it after three weeks, contact the IRS or visit a local Taxpayer Assistance Center with proof of mailing (if you have it). The IRS can search their mail logs and tell you whether your return arrived. If it was lost in the mail, you may need to file an amended return or provide additional documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund amount before I file my tax return?
No. Where's My Refund? only works after you have filed your return and the IRS has received it. You can estimate your refund using tax software or a tax professional before you file, but the actual amount will not be available until after you submit your return to the IRS.
Why does Where's My Refund? say my refund amount is different from what I expected?
The IRS may have adjusted your refund during processing. Common reasons include math errors on your return, missing or incorrect information, or offsets (your refund was reduced to pay back taxes, student loans, or child support). The IRS will mail you a letter explaining any changes. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 to ask why your refund was adjusted.
If I filed jointly, can my spouse check the refund status using their Social Security number?
Yes. Either spouse can use Where's My Refund? with their own Social Security number, as long as you select "married filing jointly" as the filing status. Both of you will see the same refund amount and expected date.
What if I filed my return through a tax preparer or accountant?
You can still use Where's My Refund? to check your status. Your tax preparer files the return on your behalf, but once it reaches the IRS, you can track it yourself using your Social Security number and refund amount. Your preparer should have given you a copy of your filed return showing the refund amount.
Does Where's My Refund? work for amended returns?
Where's My Refund? tracks your original return. If you filed an amended return (Form 1040-X), use the tool to check your original refund status first. Amended returns are processed separately and take longer — usually eight to twelve weeks. The IRS will mail you a notice when your amended return is processed, rather than updating the online tool.