Where to check your refund status

The IRS provides three ways to check your refund status: the IRS website tool called Where's My Refund?, the IRS2Go mobile app, or by phone. The website tool is the fastest and most detailed — it shows you exactly where your refund is in processing and when you can expect it. You do not need to create an account or log in with credentials; you only need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return.

The IRS updates refund information once per day, usually overnight. Checking multiple times in the same day will not show you new information. If your return was filed electronically, you can typically check status within 24 hours of filing. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least four weeks before checking.

Key Takeaways

  • Use Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app to check status; both are free and require only your Social Security number and refund amount.
  • The IRS updates refund information once per day, so checking multiple times the same day will not show new progress.
  • Electronically filed returns can be checked within 24 hours; paper returns require a four-week wait before status appears.
  • If Where's My Refund? shows no information after the normal wait time, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit a local IRS office.

What information you need to check status

Gather three pieces of information before you start: your Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you filed with an ITIN), your filing status as it appears on your return (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow/widower), and the exact refund amount you claimed on your return.

The refund amount must match exactly as it appears on your filed return — including cents. If you are unsure of the amount, check your copy of the return you filed, your confirmation email if you filed electronically, or your filing software account. Do not estimate or round the number; the tool will reject it if it does not match.

Using Where's My Refund? on the IRS website

Go to IRS.gov and look for the "Where's My Refund?" link on the homepage. Click it and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount in the boxes provided. The tool will then display one of three messages: your refund status with an expected deposit date, a message that your return is still being processed, or a message that the IRS has not yet received your return.

If the tool shows a status, it will tell you whether your refund has been approved, is being reviewed, or has been sent to your bank. If it shows an expected deposit date, that date is when the IRS will send the money to your bank — your bank may take one to three additional business days to post it to your account. If the tool says your return is still being processed, check back in a few days; most returns process within 21 days of filing electronically.

Using the IRS2Go mobile app

read the IRS2Go app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store at no cost. Open the app and tap "Where's My Refund?" at the bottom of the home screen. Enter the same three pieces of information: Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. The app displays the same information as the website tool and updates at the same time each day.

The app also sends you a notification when your refund status changes, which can be helpful if you are checking frequently. You can turn notifications on or off in the app settings. The app works on phones and tablets and does not require you to create a login.

Calling the IRS refund hotline

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, filing status, and refund amount ready. An IRS representative will look up your refund status and tell you where it is in processing.

Wait times are often long, especially during tax season (January through April). If you reach a busy signal, hang up and try again later. The IRS also offers a callback option on some calls — if you select it, the IRS will call you back when an agent is available instead of making you hold.

What the status messages mean

If Where's My Refund? shows "Return Received," the IRS has your return but has not finished processing it yet. This is normal and usually means you will see a status update within a few days. If it shows "Approved," your refund has been approved and the IRS is preparing to send it. If it shows a specific date, that is when the IRS will deposit the money into your bank account.

If the tool shows "Still Being Processed" after 21 days from when you filed electronically, or after four weeks from when you mailed a paper return, contact the IRS. The tool may also show a message that your return needs more information — in that case, the IRS will send you a letter explaining what documents or details are needed. Do not ignore these letters; respond within the timeframe shown or your refund will be delayed further.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If Where's My Refund? shows no information after the normal wait time (24 hours for e-filed returns, four weeks for mailed returns), or if it shows a status that has not changed in more than a week, contact the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1040 or visit your local IRS office in person. Bring a copy of your filed return and your Social Security number.

Common reasons for delays include math errors on your return, missing information (such as a missing signature), a refund offset (the IRS is using your refund to pay back taxes or other debts), or identity theft. The IRS representative can tell you which applies to your return and what steps to take next. If your return was flagged for review, processing can take 60 days or longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status if I filed with a tax preparer or software company?

Yes. Where's My Refund? and the IRS2Go app show the status of any return filed with your Social Security number, regardless of who prepared it. You do not need to contact your tax preparer or software company to check status — the IRS tool has the most current information. However, if you have questions about what is on your return itself, your preparer or software company may be able to answer those.

Why does Where's My Refund? say it has no information about my return?

The most common reason is that you have not waited long enough. If you filed electronically, wait at least 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least four weeks. Another reason is that you entered information that does not match your filed return exactly — double-check your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount, including cents. If all three are correct and you have waited the required time, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

What if my refund was supposed to arrive but did not show up in my bank account?

Check Where's My Refund? again to confirm the status shows "Sent" or a deposit date. If it does, your bank may still be processing the deposit — the IRS sends the money, but your bank takes one to three business days to post it. If the status still shows "Approved" or "Being Processed," the money has not been sent yet. If the status shows "Sent" but the money never arrived after five business days, contact your bank first to confirm they did not receive it, then call the IRS.

Can I change my refund amount or have it sent to a different bank account?

No. Once your return is filed and accepted by the IRS, you cannot change the refund amount or the bank account it will be sent to through Where's My Refund?. If you need to make changes, you must file an amended return using Form 1040-X. Contact a tax preparer or your tax software company for help with an amended return, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for guidance.