Where to check your refund status right now

The IRS has a tool called Where's My Refund? that tells you whether your return has been received, is being processed, or has been approved for payment. You reach it at irs.gov/refunds or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you filed electronically, your return typically shows up in the system within 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, it takes two to three weeks before the IRS scans it and the tool recognizes it.

State tax refunds are tracked separately through your state's revenue or taxation department website. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find the right portal. State processing times vary widely — some states issue refunds in two weeks, others take six to eight weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool updates once daily and shows whether your return has been received, is processing, or approved for payment.
  • Electronic returns appear in the system within 24 hours; paper returns take two to three weeks to scan and enter the system.
  • The tool requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount you claimed on your return.
  • State refunds are tracked through your state's tax department website, not the IRS, and timelines vary by state.
  • If the tool shows no record of your return after the expected time, contact the IRS or your state directly rather than waiting.

What each status message means

Return Received means the IRS has scanned your return and logged it into the system. This is the first checkpoint. For electronic returns, this happens within 24 hours. For paper returns, it can take two to three weeks. You should see this status before any processing begins.

Return Under Review means the IRS is checking your return for errors, missing information, or anything that needs clarification. This stage can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The IRS may need to verify income, dependents, credits you claimed, or other details. If they find a problem, they will mail you a notice — they do not call or email.

Approved means the IRS has finished reviewing your return and determined the refund amount. The tool will show the date the payment will be sent. This does not mean the money is in your account yet; it means the IRS has authorized the payment.

Sent means the IRS has issued the refund. The payment method depends on how you filed: direct deposit typically arrives within one to two business days after this status appears, while a check takes seven to ten business days from the issue date.

How long processing actually takes

The IRS publishes a standard timeline: most returns are processed within 21 days of filing. This means from the moment you submit your return to the moment it is approved and the refund is issued. However, this is not a may provide — it is an average, and many returns take longer.

Returns that trigger additional review take substantially longer. Common reasons include claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), or reporting self-employment income. The IRS is required by law to hold these refunds until mid-February, even if processing is complete. If your return includes either credit, expect your refund in mid-February at the earliest, regardless of when you filed.

Paper returns add two to three weeks to the timeline because they must be physically scanned before processing begins. If you mailed your return in early April, it may not appear in Where's My Refund until late April.

State refunds operate on their own schedule. Some states process within two weeks; others take six to eight weeks. A few states hold refunds if you owe back child support or student loans, which can add weeks or months.

What to do if your refund is taking longer than expected

First, confirm what "expected" actually is for your situation. If you filed electronically and it has been fewer than 21 days, the IRS is still within its standard window. If you filed a paper return, add two to three weeks to that timeline. If your return includes the EITC or ACTC, the IRS will not issue your refund before mid-February regardless of the filing date.

If you are past the expected timeline, check Where's My Refund again. The status may have changed since you last looked. If it still shows "Return Received" or "Under Review" after 21 days, or if it shows no record of your return at all after three weeks (for electronic) or five weeks (for paper), contact the IRS.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you whether your return was received, whether it is stuck in review, and whether there is a problem that needs fixing.

If the IRS says your return was never received, you will need to file again. If you filed electronically, file a new return immediately — do not wait. If you filed by mail, file electronically this time. Keep a copy of your first return for your records.

Direct deposit versus check delivery

The IRS issues refunds by direct deposit or check, depending on how you chose to receive it when you filed. Direct deposit is faster: once the refund status shows "Sent," the money typically arrives in your bank account within one to two business days. Check refunds take seven to ten business days from the issue date to arrive by mail.

If you chose direct deposit but provided an incorrect account number, the IRS will mail you a check instead. This adds a week to ten days to your timeline. The Where's My Refund tool will show the check issue date, and you should receive it within ten business days of that date.

If you have not received a check within ten business days of the issue date shown in Where's My Refund, contact the IRS. Checks can be lost in the mail, and the IRS can issue a replacement or deposit the refund directly if you provide corrected banking information.

State refund processing and timing differences

State tax refunds are processed separately from federal refunds and follow different timelines. Some states issue refunds within two weeks of receiving your return; others take six to eight weeks. A few states do not issue refunds until after the federal deadline (typically mid-May) to verify that your federal return matches your state return.

To check your state refund status, go to your state's revenue or taxation department website and look for a refund tracker or status tool. The tool name varies — some states call it "Check Your Refund Status," others call it "Refund Inquiry." You will typically need your Social Security number and the refund amount.

If your state refund is delayed because you owe back child support, student loan debt, or other state debts, the state will offset your refund to pay those debts. The state will mail you a notice explaining the offset. This process can take several weeks beyond normal processing time.

What happens if there is an error on your return

If the IRS finds an error — a missing signature, an incorrect Social Security number, a math mistake, or a missing form — they will mail you a notice. This notice will explain what is wrong and what you need to do to fix it. The IRS does not call or email about errors; they always mail.

If you receive a notice, respond within the timeframe stated in the letter. Usually you have 30 days. If you disagree with what the IRS found, you can respond with an explanation or additional documents. If you agree, you can sign and return the notice, or make the correction and file an amended return.

While you are resolving an error, your refund is on hold. Processing resumes once the IRS receives your response and verifies the correction. This can add two to four weeks to your timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Where's My Refund say "Return Received" but nothing else after two weeks?

The IRS is still processing your return. The tool updates once daily, usually overnight. If your return includes the EITC or ACTC, the IRS is required to hold it until mid-February. If you filed a paper return, allow an additional two to three weeks for scanning. If more than 21 days have passed and the status has not changed, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Can I track my refund by mail if I filed a paper return?

No. The IRS does not provide tracking for mailed returns before they are scanned. Once your return is scanned (two to three weeks after mailing), it will appear in Where's My Refund. If it does not appear after five weeks, contact the IRS to confirm whether it was received.

My refund was approved but I have not received the money yet — how long should I wait?

If the status shows "Sent" and you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive within one to two business days. If you chose a check, allow seven to ten business days from the issue date. If you have waited longer than that, contact the IRS or your bank to investigate.

What if I filed electronically but Where's My Refund shows no record of my return?

Wait 24 hours and check again. Electronic returns typically appear within 24 hours of filing. If it still does not appear after 24 hours, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. They can confirm whether your return was received or whether there was a transmission error.

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparation company?

No. The IRS processes all returns on the same timeline regardless of who prepared them or how they were filed. Tax preparation companies cannot speed up IRS processing. Some offer "refund advances" or loans against your expected refund, but these cost money and do not actually accelerate the IRS payment.