Where to find your refund amount from last year
The IRS keeps a record of every refund it issued. You can see what you received last year by logging into your IRS account online, calling the IRS directly, or checking the tax return you filed. The fastest method is the IRS website if you have an account set up; a phone call takes longer but works if you don't have online access.
Your refund amount appears on the tax return itself — line 33c on Form 1040 for federal returns. If you filed last year and received a refund, that number is your answer. You can also find it on any paperwork the IRS sent you, including the notice that told you the refund was on the way.
If you need to look it up rather than dig through old files, the IRS website is the most direct route. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status to log in.
Key Takeaways
- Your refund amount is printed on line 33c of your Form 1040 federal tax return, or you can find it in your IRS online account.
- The IRS website lets you see refund history without calling, but you need to create an account with your Social Security number and date of birth.
- If you filed jointly, either spouse can look up the refund amount using their own Social Security number and the joint return information.
- Calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 works if you don't have online access, but wait times are typically 30 minutes or longer during tax season.
- State tax refunds are tracked separately through your state's tax agency website, not the IRS.
Using the IRS website to check your refund history
Go to irs.gov and select "View your tax account" or "Get transcript of your tax return." You'll be taken to a login page where you can create an account or sign in if you already have one. The IRS uses ID.me for identity verification, which means you'll answer security questions or upload a photo ID to confirm who you are.
Once you're logged in, look for "Tax Records" or "Account Transcript." The account transcript shows the refund amount the IRS calculated on your return, and it also shows whether the refund was sent by check, direct deposit, or applied to another tax year. This is the clearest record because it comes straight from the IRS's system.
If you don't remember your login information, you can reset it on the same page. The whole process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes the first time you set up an account.
Calling the IRS to ask about last year's refund
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, date of birth, and filing status ready. The representative will pull up your return and tell you the refund amount, when it was issued, and how it was sent.
Wait times are often 30 minutes to over an hour, especially between January and April. If you call outside tax season (May through December), you'll typically get through faster. The IRS also offers a callback option on some calls — you can request a call back instead of waiting on hold.
If you filed a joint return, either spouse can call and ask about the refund using their own Social Security number. The representative will verify your identity and then provide the information.
Finding your refund on old tax documents
If you have a copy of last year's tax return, the refund amount is on line 33c of Form 1040 (the main federal return form). This is the amount the IRS calculated you were owed. If you filed electronically, you should have received a confirmation email with the return details.
The IRS also sends a notice when your refund is processed. This notice, usually Form 1040-V or a letter, includes the refund amount and the date it will arrive. If you kept that letter, it has the exact number you're looking for.
Bank statements can also confirm the refund if it was deposited directly. Look for a deposit from the IRS or "U.S. Treasury" in your account history from the month you expected the refund.
Understanding the difference between federal and state refunds
The IRS only tracks federal tax refunds. If you also filed a state return and received a state refund, you'll need to check your state's tax agency website separately. Each state maintains its own refund records and uses its own system.
To find your state refund, go to your state's department of revenue or taxation website and look for "check refund status" or "refund tracker." You'll typically need your Social Security number and the amount you reported on your state return. Some states also let you call a phone line to check refund status.
State refunds sometimes arrive weeks after federal refunds, or they may be issued on a different schedule. Checking both systems gives you the complete picture of what you received last year.
What to do if you can't find a record of your refund
If you filed a return but can't find any record of a refund, start by checking whether you actually received one. Some people owe taxes instead of receiving a refund, or they may have had a refund applied to the next year's estimated taxes. Your account transcript will show which happened.
If the transcript shows a refund was issued but you never received it, the IRS can investigate. Call 1-800-829-1040 and ask about a missing refund. Have the date the refund was supposed to arrive ready. The IRS can tell you whether it was sent by check or direct deposit, and if it was a check, whether it was cashed.
If a check was lost in the mail, the IRS can issue a replacement. If a direct deposit failed, the IRS will work with you to figure out why and may reissue the refund to a different account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see refunds from more than one year back?
Yes. The IRS account transcript shows refund history for multiple years. You can view refunds from the current year and several years prior by logging into your IRS account and selecting different tax years. If you need records from very old returns, you can order a transcript by mail or phone.
What if I filed jointly — can my spouse look up the refund amount?
Yes. Either spouse can log into the IRS website using their own Social Security number and date of birth to see the refund from a joint return. The IRS system recognizes both people on the return and shows the same refund information to either one.
Does the IRS website show when my refund was deposited?
Yes. The account transcript shows the date the refund was issued and the method (direct deposit or check). If it was direct deposited, it shows the date the money was sent to your bank, though your bank may have taken an extra day or two to post it to your account.
What if my refund was applied to next year's taxes instead of sent to me?
The IRS account transcript will show this. It will say the refund was "applied to next year's tax liability" rather than issued as a payment. This sometimes happens if you requested it or if you had an outstanding tax debt from a prior year.
Can I get a copy of my old tax return to see the refund amount?
Yes. You can order a transcript of your return from the IRS by going to irs.gov, calling 1-800-829-1040, or mailing Form 4506-C. A transcript shows the key information from your return, including the refund amount. It usually arrives within two weeks if you order by mail.