The IRS updates Where's My Refund once per day, usually overnight between midnight and 6 a.m. Eastern time
Where's My Refund is the IRS tool that shows the status of your federal tax refund. It pulls from the same database the IRS uses internally, but it does not update in real time. The system refreshes once each day, and the new information typically appears early morning. If you check at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, you are seeing data from sometime the previous night.
The exact time varies slightly day to day because the IRS processes refunds in batches overnight. You might see an update at 1 a.m. one day and 5 a.m. the next. The IRS does not publish a precise cutoff time, so the safest approach is to check after 6 a.m. Eastern if you want to be sure you are seeing the latest information.
Checking multiple times in the same day will show you the same status. The tool will not have new information until the next overnight cycle. Many people check daily out of habit, but weekly checks are just as useful and less frustrating.
Key Takeaways
- Where's My Refund updates once per day, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. Eastern time, so checking multiple times the same day shows the same status.
- The IRS processes refunds in batches overnight, which is why the update window varies slightly from day to day.
- You can check Where's My Refund as soon as your return is accepted, but the tool will show "Return Received" for several days before moving to "Approved" or "Sent".
- If your status has not changed in more than 21 days after acceptance, contact the IRS or check for a hold on your account.
- The tool works for federal refunds only; state refunds update on their own schedules and require checking your state tax agency website.
What each status means and how long it typically stays
When you first check Where's My Refund after filing, you will see "Return Received" if the IRS has accepted your return. This status appears within 24 hours of e-filing and can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending on whether the IRS needs to verify information or flag items for review.
"Approved" means the IRS has processed your return and determined the refund amount. This is the status that matters most—once you see it, the money is coming. The tool will show the expected deposit date, which is usually five to seven business days from the approval date for direct deposit, or up to three weeks for a check.
"Sent" appears after the IRS has issued your refund. For direct deposit, this typically means the money left the IRS and is on its way to your bank. For a check, it means the check has been printed and mailed. Once you see "Sent," the refund should arrive within the timeframe shown.
If your status stays on "Return Received" for more than 21 days, something is holding up processing. This could be a math error, a missing document, income verification, or a duplicate Social Security number in the system. At this point, you should contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or check your mail for a notice.
How to access Where's My Refund and what information you need
Go to irs.gov and look for the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the homepage. You can also search "Where's My Refund" directly. The tool is free and requires no login or account creation.
You will need three pieces of information: your Social Security number (or ITIN), your filing status from your tax return, and the exact refund amount you claimed. The refund amount is the number on line 33 of Form 1040 (or the equivalent line on your form). If you are not sure of the exact amount, check your tax software or the copy you saved when you filed.
The tool works on desktop and mobile browsers. It does not have an app. If you filed jointly, either spouse can check using their own Social Security number and the joint refund amount.
Why your status might not update even after checking multiple days
If your status has been "Return Received" for more than a week, the IRS is likely reviewing something on your return. Common reasons include math errors, missing schedules, income that does not match IRS records, or a dependent Social Security number that appears on multiple returns. The IRS will not update your status until the review is complete.
A hold can also happen if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit. The IRS is required by law to hold these returns until mid-February, even if everything is correct. If you filed in January and claimed either credit, your status will not move until after February 15.
If you filed a paper return instead of e-filing, the update cycle is much slower. Paper returns take three to six weeks to enter the system, and Where's My Refund will not show anything until the IRS has scanned and processed your form. During this time, the tool will say "Return not found."
Identity theft or fraud flags can also pause processing. If the IRS suspects your return is fraudulent, it will not update your status online. Instead, you will receive a notice in the mail. Do not ignore these notices—respond within the timeframe given.
Checking your refund status by phone or mail if the online tool does not work
If Where's My Refund is down or not showing your return, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. Wait times are longest in February and March, so call early in the morning or later in the afternoon if possible.
You can also mail Form 4506-C, "Request for Copy of Tax Return," to the IRS address for your state. This form requests a copy of your filed return and can help you verify that the IRS received it. Processing takes four to six weeks by mail.
If you filed through a tax preparer or software company, contact them first. They may have access to additional status information or can file an amended return if something went wrong during filing.
State refunds and why they update on a different schedule
Where's My Refund only tracks your federal refund. If you also filed a state return and are owed a state refund, you must check your state tax agency website separately. State refunds update on their own schedules and do not appear in the IRS tool.
Most states update their refund status tools once or twice per week, not daily like the IRS. Some states take longer to process refunds than the federal government—state refunds can take four to eight weeks even after your federal refund arrives. A few states (including California and New York) have their own online status tools similar to Where's My Refund.
To find your state refund status, search "[your state] tax refund status" or go to your state's Department of Revenue website. You will need your Social Security number and refund amount, just like the federal tool.
What to do if your refund shows as sent but you have not received it
If Where's My Refund says "Sent" but the money has not arrived after the expected timeframe, first check that you entered your bank account information correctly on your return. A typo in your account number or routing number will cause the IRS to reject the deposit and mail a check instead, which takes an additional two to three weeks.
If you chose direct deposit and the money did not arrive within seven business days of the "Sent" status, contact your bank to confirm the deposit was not rejected. Ask them to check for any failed ACH transfers from the IRS. If your bank received the money, it should appear in your account within one business day of the transfer.
If your bank did not receive the deposit and you cannot find a check in the mail after three weeks, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Have your return information and bank details ready. The IRS can investigate where the refund went and may issue a replacement check or resubmit the direct deposit.
If you are expecting a check and it has been more than three weeks since the "Sent" status appeared, the check may have been lost in the mail. The IRS can issue a replacement, but you will need to wait an additional two to three weeks for it to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check Where's My Refund if I filed a joint return?
Yes. Either spouse can check using their own Social Security number and the joint refund amount from line 33 of your Form 1040. The status will be the same regardless of which spouse checks.
Why does Where's My Refund say my return was not found?
This usually means the IRS has not processed your return yet. If you e-filed, wait 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, wait three to six weeks. If you filed more than six weeks ago and the return still is not found, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm they received it.
Does Where's My Refund show state refunds?
No. The IRS tool only shows federal refunds. Check your state tax agency website for state refund status. Most states have their own online tools, though update schedules vary by state.
What if I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and my status has not changed in weeks?
The IRS is required to hold returns claiming EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit until mid-February, even if everything is correct. Your status will not update until after this date. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.
Can I speed up my refund by calling the IRS?
No. Calling the IRS can tell you why your refund is delayed, but it cannot speed up processing. The only exception is if there is a specific error on your return that you can correct immediately, such as a missing signature or incorrect bank account number.