Check your refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool
The fastest way to find your federal tax refund is the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool tells you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, has approved it, or has sent it out — and if it has been sent, when it should arrive.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you filed electronically, you can check starting the day after you filed. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least four weeks before checking. The IRS processes most returns within 21 days of receipt, though some take longer if they need verification or contain errors.
You can also call the IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954 and speak to a representative, though wait times are often long during tax season. Have your return handy when you call.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov is the official source and updates daily with your refund status.
- You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to check your status online.
- Electronic returns can be checked the day after filing; paper returns require a four-week wait before checking.
- Most refunds arrive within 21 days of the IRS receiving your return, but some take longer if the return needs review.
- If your refund shows as sent but has not arrived, contact your bank or the IRS to confirm the deposit details.
What the refund status messages actually mean
The Where's My Refund tool shows one of four main statuses. Return Received means the IRS has your return but has not started processing it yet — this is normal and happens within a few days of filing. Return Approved means the IRS has reviewed your return and found no problems; your refund is being prepared for payment. Refund Sent means the IRS has released your money and it is on its way to you.
The tool also shows the expected arrival date once your refund has been sent. If you chose direct deposit, the money usually arrives within one to two business days after the IRS sends it. If you are receiving a check, allow five to seven business days from the send date for it to arrive by mail.
If your status has not changed in more than 21 days, or if the tool says there is a problem with your return, you may need to contact the IRS directly or check for a notice in your mail.
How to track a state tax refund
State refunds are handled separately from federal refunds and have their own tracking systems. Most states have a refund tracker on their tax department website — search "[your state] tax refund status" to find it. You will typically enter your Social Security number and refund amount, similar to the federal tool.
State refunds usually take longer than federal refunds. Many states process returns within 30 to 45 days, though some take up to 60 days if they need to verify information or cross-check with the federal return. A few states offer faster processing for electronic returns.
If you filed both federal and state returns, your state refund may be delayed if the IRS has not yet processed your federal return, because states often wait for federal approval before releasing state refunds. Check your state's website for its current processing timeline.
What to do if your refund is delayed
If the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was sent more than a week ago but you have not received it, first check that the deposit went to the correct bank account. The IRS sends refunds to the account listed on your return. If you changed banks or made a typo when entering your account number, the money may have been rejected and sent back to the IRS as an undeliverable payment.
Contact your bank to ask whether a deposit from the IRS was rejected. If it was, the IRS will reissue your refund by check, which takes an additional two to three weeks. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 to confirm the account number they have on file.
If the tool shows your refund is still being processed after 21 days, or if it shows a status you do not understand, check your mail for an IRS notice. The IRS sends notices when it needs more information, found an error on your return, or is holding your refund for review. The notice will explain what you need to do next.
Refunds held for verification or errors
Sometimes the IRS holds a refund while it verifies information on your return. This happens most often when you claim certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, when your return shows a large refund compared to your income, or when the IRS detects a mismatch between your return and other records (like W-2s or 1099s from employers).
The Where's My Refund tool will show a message if your refund is being reviewed. You will also receive a notice in the mail explaining what the IRS is checking. Do not ignore this notice — it will tell you whether you need to send documents, call a phone number, or simply wait for the review to finish.
Verification holds typically add two to four weeks to your refund timeline. If the IRS finds an error on your return, it will adjust your refund amount and send you a revised notice explaining the change.
How to track a refund by check
If you requested a paper check instead of direct deposit, the Where's My Refund tool will show the date the IRS mailed it. Once the status shows Refund Sent, allow five to seven business days for the check to arrive. Checks are mailed from the IRS processing center in the region where you filed, so delivery time depends partly on distance.
If your check does not arrive within 10 business days of the send date, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1954. Have your return handy and be ready to provide your Social Security number and the refund amount. The IRS can confirm whether the check was mailed and, if necessary, issue a replacement check or convert your refund to direct deposit if you provide a bank account.
Checks can be lost or delayed in the mail, especially during high-volume periods. If you find the check later, do not cash it if the IRS has already issued a replacement — cashing both is fraud and will create problems with your account.
What information you need to check your refund status
To use the Where's My Refund tool, have these three pieces of information ready: your Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you do not have an SSN), your filing status from your return (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow), and the exact refund amount shown on your return before you filed it.
The refund amount must match exactly — if you entered $1,500 on your return but the tool shows $1,487, use $1,487. If you do not remember the exact amount, check your filed return. If you filed electronically, your tax software or the IRS should have sent you a confirmation with the amount. If you mailed a paper return, look at the copy you kept.
If you do not have the refund amount, you can still call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 and a representative can look up your status using your name and Social Security number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund status on my phone?
Yes. The IRS Where's My Refund tool works on phones and tablets. Go to irs.gov and look for the Where's My Refund link, or search "IRS where's my refund" in your browser. The tool is mobile-friendly and does not require an app.
Why does the tool say my refund was sent but my bank says it never arrived?
The most common reason is that the IRS sent the deposit to the wrong account number. Contact your bank to ask if a deposit from the IRS was rejected. If it was, the IRS will reissue your refund by check, which takes two to three weeks. You can also call the IRS to confirm the account number on file.
How often does the Where's My Refund tool update?
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you check multiple times in one day, you will see the same status. Checking more often will not speed up your refund.
What if I filed my return more than 21 days ago and the tool still says it is being processed?
Check your mail for an IRS notice — the IRS sends notices when it needs more information or is reviewing your return for errors. If you have not received a notice and it has been more than 30 days, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 to ask why your return is still being processed.
Can I change my refund from a check to direct deposit if it has already been sent?
No, not once the IRS has sent it. If your check has not arrived yet, you can call the IRS and ask them to stop the check and reissue it as a direct deposit instead, but this only works if the check has not been cashed. If the check arrives, you must cash it or deposit it normally.