How to check your Washington tax refund in real time

Washington does not have a state income tax, so there is no state tax refund to track. If you are waiting for money back from Washington, it is almost certainly a federal refund from the IRS, not a state refund.

To check a federal tax refund, go to IRS.gov/refunds and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, and shows you whether the IRS is processing your return, has approved it, or has sent the money out.

If you filed your return electronically, the IRS typically processes it within 21 days. If you mailed a paper return, allow up to 6 weeks before checking the tool — the IRS has to scan and enter the data first.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington has no state income tax, so any refund you are waiting for is from the federal IRS, not the state.
  • Check your federal refund status at IRS.gov/refunds using your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
  • Electronic returns are usually processed within 21 days; paper returns take up to 6 weeks before you can track them.
  • The IRS updates the tracking tool once per day, usually between midnight and 1 a.m. Eastern time.
  • If the tool says your refund was sent but you have not received it, check your bank account or wait 5 business days after the send date before contacting the IRS.

What the IRS tracking tool actually tells you

"Where's My Refund?" shows three main statuses. Return Received means the IRS has your return but is still processing it — this is the longest phase and can take the full 21 days for e-filed returns. Approved means the IRS has reviewed your return, found no problems, and is preparing to send your money. Sent means the refund has left the IRS and is on its way to you.

The tool also displays the refund amount and the expected delivery date once the status reaches "Sent." If you chose direct deposit, the money usually arrives within 1 to 2 business days after the IRS sends it. If you requested a check, allow 7 to 10 business days from the send date.

Do not refresh the tool constantly — it updates only once per day. Checking it multiple times in a single day will show the same information.

Why your refund might be delayed

The IRS processes returns in the order they arrive, but some returns take longer than others. Common reasons for delays include math errors on your return, missing information (like a Social Security number for a dependent), or a mismatch between what you reported and what your employer or bank reported to the IRS.

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until at least mid-February, even if your return is otherwise complete. This is a mandatory delay, not a problem with your return.

Identity theft or fraud concerns can also slow processing. If the IRS suspects your return might be fraudulent, it will contact you by mail — not by phone or email — asking for proof of identity or income. Respond to that letter as quickly as you can, because your refund will not move until the IRS verifies your information.

Direct deposit versus check: which arrives faster

Direct deposit is faster and more reliable. Once the IRS sends your refund via direct deposit, the money reaches your bank account within 1 to 2 business days. Checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail, and if the check is lost or damaged, you have to wait for a replacement.

If you did not provide banking information on your return and requested a check instead, there is no way to change that now. The IRS will mail the check to the address on your return. If you have moved since filing, you can contact the IRS to update your address, but this can delay the check further.

For future years, direct deposit is the fastest option. You can set it up on your tax return by providing your routing number and account number, or by using the IRS Free File program if you meet income limits.

What to do if your refund never arrives

If the tracking tool says your refund was sent but you have not received it after the expected delivery window, wait 5 business days before taking action. Banks sometimes take longer than expected to post deposits, and mail can be delayed.

After 5 business days, check your bank account to make sure the deposit did not go to a closed account or the wrong account. If you provided the wrong account number on your return, the IRS may have sent the money there by mistake. Contact your bank to ask if they received a deposit for that amount on the date the IRS said it was sent.

If your bank confirms they never received the deposit, or if the check never arrived, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can issue a replacement check or reissue the direct deposit, but this process takes an additional 4 to 6 weeks.

Amended returns and refunds

If you filed an amended return (Form 1040-X) to correct a mistake on your original return, the refund process starts over. The IRS processes amended returns more slowly than original returns — expect 16 weeks or longer from the date you mailed the form.

You cannot track an amended return on "Where's My Refund?" — that tool only works for original returns. Instead, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your Social Security number and the date you mailed the amended return. The IRS can tell you the processing status over the phone.

Stimulus payments and other federal money

If you are waiting for a stimulus payment, economic impact payment, or other federal money that is not a tax refund, use a different tracking tool. The IRS has separate trackers for stimulus payments on its website. Search "IRS stimulus payment tracker" to find the current tool for the year you are asking about.

Stimulus payments follow different timelines than tax refunds and are sent in batches by the IRS. The tracking tool will tell you whether your payment has been sent and when to expect it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS?

No. The IRS processes returns in the order they arrive, and calling does not move your return to the front of the line. The only exception is if there is a specific problem — like a missing Social Security number — that the IRS is waiting for you to fix. In that case, the IRS will contact you by mail first.

What if the tracking tool says my refund was sent but my bank says they never got it?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the refund amount. The IRS can confirm whether the deposit was sent to the correct account number. If you provided the wrong account number on your return, the money may have gone elsewhere. The IRS can reissue the refund, but this takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Do I need to do anything special to get my Washington state refund?

Washington does not have a state income tax, so there is no state refund. Any refund you are waiting for is federal only. If you are a resident of another state and filed a multi-state return, check that state's tax department website for its own refund tracker.

How long does it take to get a refund if I e-filed my return?

The IRS typically processes e-filed returns within 21 days. Once approved, direct deposit refunds arrive within 1 to 2 business days. If you chose a check, allow 7 to 10 business days from the send date. Some returns take longer if the IRS needs to verify information or if you claimed certain credits.

Can I change my refund from a check to direct deposit after I file?

No. Once you file your return, you cannot change the refund delivery method. If you requested a check and want direct deposit instead, you would have to file an amended return, which takes much longer. For future years, choose direct deposit on your original return to get your refund faster.