Start with the IRS Where's My Refund tool
The first place to check is the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. This tool tells you the exact status of your federal refund — whether it has been processed, approved, sent out, or deposited. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the expected refund amount. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.
If the tool shows your refund was approved and sent, but you have not received it, the next step depends on how the IRS sent it. If you chose direct deposit, the money should land in your bank account within one to two business days of the IRS releasing it. If you chose a paper check, it can take two to three weeks to arrive by mail after the IRS mails it.
If the tool shows your return is still being processed, the IRS typically needs 21 days from the date you filed. Some returns take longer if they contain errors, missing information, or are selected for review.
Key Takeaways
- Check the IRS Where's My Refund tool first — it shows the real status of your federal refund and updates daily.
- If your refund was direct deposited, contact your bank to confirm the deposit arrived and check for holds or routing errors.
- If your refund was mailed as a check, allow up to three weeks from the IRS mail date before calling the IRS.
- The IRS refund hotline is 1-800-829-1040, and you can also reach them through their online account at irs.gov/account.
- State refunds are handled separately — check your state tax agency's website or call their refund line if your state return is missing.
What to do if your bank received the deposit but you don't see it
Call your bank's customer service line and ask whether the IRS deposit arrived in your account. Banks can see incoming transfers even if they have not posted yet. If the bank confirms the deposit came through, ask whether there is a hold on the funds — some banks hold tax refunds for a few business days before releasing them.
If the deposit arrived but is on hold, the bank will tell you the hold release date. If the deposit has not arrived at all, ask the bank to check the routing and account number on file with the IRS. Routing errors are the most common reason direct deposits fail. You can verify your routing number through your bank's website or by calling the bank directly.
If the bank says no deposit has arrived and the Where's My Refund tool says the IRS sent it, contact the IRS to report the misdirected deposit. The IRS can issue a replacement check or attempt to trace the deposit.
Contact the IRS directly if the refund is overdue
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was sent more than three weeks ago and you still have not received it. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you whether the refund was mailed or direct deposited and can investigate if it appears to be lost.
The IRS phone lines are busiest from January through April. If you cannot reach them by phone, you can create an account at irs.gov/account and message the IRS through your online account. Response times for online messages are typically three to five business days.
If the IRS confirms your refund was mailed as a check and more than four weeks have passed, the IRS can issue a replacement check. If it was direct deposited and the bank never received it, the IRS will investigate the routing information and may reissue the refund.
Check your state refund separately
If you filed a state return, your state refund is separate from your federal refund and may arrive on a different timeline. Most states have their own refund tracking tool on the state tax agency website. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find the tool.
State refunds typically take two to four weeks to process after you file, though some states take longer during tax season. If your state refund is overdue, call your state tax agency's refund line. The number is usually on your state's tax website or on the return itself.
Some states mail refunds and some direct deposit them, just like the federal system. Ask your state tax agency which method they used for your refund and follow the same steps as you would with a federal refund — check with your bank if it was direct deposited, or allow time for mail delivery if it was mailed.
What to do if the IRS says it issued a refund but you never received it
If the IRS confirms the refund was sent but you have not received it, ask the IRS to place a trace on the refund. A trace is an investigation into where the refund went. The IRS will contact you by mail with the results, usually within four to six weeks.
While the trace is underway, the IRS will not issue a replacement refund. Once the trace is complete, if the IRS determines the refund was lost or misdirected, they will issue a replacement check or reissue the direct deposit. If the trace finds that you did receive the refund, the IRS will close the case.
Keep records of all your communication with the IRS and your bank during this time. Write down the date you called, the name of the person you spoke with, and what they told you. This documentation helps if you need to file a complaint or dispute later.
Report identity theft if someone else may have claimed your refund
If the Where's My Refund tool shows a refund was issued but you did not file that return, or if the refund went to an account you do not recognize, contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040. This may indicate identity theft or tax fraud.
The IRS has a dedicated identity theft line at 1-800-908-4490. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. Keep copies of your tax return, any IRS notices, and bank statements showing the fraudulent activity.
If your identity was stolen for tax purposes, the IRS will assign you an Identity Theft Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). This number protects your account and prevents someone else from filing a return in your name in future years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before calling about a missing refund?
If you chose direct deposit, wait one to two weeks after the Where's My Refund tool says the refund was sent. If you chose a paper check, wait three to four weeks. If more time has passed and you still have not received it, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS?
No. Calling the IRS does not speed up processing or delivery. The IRS can only tell you the current status and investigate if the refund appears to be lost. If your return is still being processed, the IRS cannot release it early.
What if the IRS says my refund was sent but my bank has no record of it?
Ask the IRS to place a trace on the refund. The trace investigates where the money went. If the trace finds the refund was lost or sent to the wrong account, the IRS will issue a replacement. This process takes four to six weeks.
Do I need to file a new return if my refund is lost?
No. Do not file a new return. Contact the IRS first to investigate the missing refund. Filing again can delay your replacement refund and create duplicate filings in the IRS system.
What if I moved and the IRS mailed my check to my old address?
Contact the post office and file a mail forwarding request if you have not already. The post office can forward the check to your new address. If the check was already delivered to your old address, contact the IRS and ask them to issue a replacement check to your current address.