Where to check your 2020 refund status

The IRS has three ways to check a 2020 tax refund: the Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, the IRS2Go mobile app, or by phone at 1-800-829-1040. The Where's My Refund tool is fastest — it updates every 24 hours and shows you the exact status of your refund, including the date it was issued and the method it will arrive by (direct deposit or check).

To use Where's My Refund, you need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your 2020 tax return. The tool will tell you one of three things: the IRS is still processing your return, your refund has been approved and a payment date has been set, or your refund was already sent and the date it left the IRS.

If you filed electronically, your return typically processes 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

  • The Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov is the fastest way to check your 2020 refund status and updates every 24 hours.
  • You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return to use the tool.
  • If you filed electronically, expect processing to take up to 21 days; paper returns take up to 6 weeks before you should check the tool.
  • Once the IRS issues your refund, it takes 3 to 5 business days to arrive by direct deposit or 7 to 10 business days by check.
  • If the tool says your refund was issued but you have not received it after the expected timeframe, contact the IRS or your bank.

What the refund status messages mean

The Where's My Refund tool shows one of three main statuses. "Return Received" means the IRS has your return but is still processing it — this is normal and can take up to 21 days for electronic returns. "Approved" means the IRS has approved your refund and assigned a payment date; the tool will show you that date. "Sent" means the IRS has issued your refund and it is on its way to you.

If your status shows "Sent" but you have not received the money, the timeline depends on your delivery method. Direct deposit refunds arrive in 3 to 5 business days after the IRS issues them. Paper checks take 7 to 10 business days. Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays, so a refund issued on a Friday may not arrive until the following week.

A fourth status — "Still Processing" — appears when the IRS needs more time or has flagged your return for review. This can happen if there are math errors, missing information, or if your return was selected for examination. The tool will tell you to wait and check back, or it may provide a phone number to call.

Direct deposit versus check delivery

If you chose direct deposit on your 2020 return, the refund goes straight to the bank account you listed. Direct deposit is faster — 3 to 5 business days — and there is no risk of the check getting lost in the mail. The Where's My Refund tool will show "Direct Deposit" as your delivery method once your refund is approved.

If you chose a paper check, the IRS mails it to the address on your return. Checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive after the IRS issues them, and delivery time depends on your location and mail speed. Once the tool shows your refund was "Sent," you can expect the check within that window, but weather, postal delays, or address issues can add time.

If you filed your 2020 return years ago and chose a check, that check may no longer be valid — IRS checks expire after one year. If you never received a check issued in 2021 or earlier, contact the IRS to request a replacement or have the refund reissued by direct deposit.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was issued but you have not received it after the expected timeframe, start by checking your bank account carefully — sometimes deposits post under a different name or to a linked account. If it is not there, contact your bank and ask if the deposit was rejected or returned.

If your bank confirms no deposit arrived, or if you chose a check and it has not come after 10 business days, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can confirm whether the refund was actually sent and, if it was, investigate why it did not arrive. If a check was lost, the IRS can issue a replacement or reissue the refund by direct deposit.

If the Where's My Refund tool still shows "Still Processing" or "Return Received" after 21 days (for electronic returns) or 6 weeks (for paper returns), your return may be under review. The tool may provide a specific reason or a phone number to call. Common reasons for delays include math errors, missing schedules, or a match with income reported by your employer or bank.

Checking your refund if you amended your 2020 return

If you filed an amended 2020 return (Form 1040-X), the Where's My Refund tool may not show the amended refund status. Amended returns are processed separately and take longer — typically 16 weeks or more. The IRS does not provide a tracking tool for amended returns the way it does for original returns.

To check the status of an amended return, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your Social Security number and the date you mailed or filed the amended return. The IRS can tell you whether it has been received and processed. You can also mail Form 4506-C (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) to the IRS to get a transcript showing the current status of your amended return, though this takes several weeks.

Using the IRS2Go app and phone line

The IRS2Go mobile app offers the same Where's My Refund information as the website but in app form. Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play, enter your information, and you get the same real-time status updates. The app is useful if you want to check your refund status on the go without opening a web browser.

If you prefer to call, the IRS phone line at 1-800-829-1040 can provide refund status information, but wait times are often long — sometimes 30 minutes or more during tax season. The automated system will ask for your Social Security number and refund amount, then tell you the status. If you need to speak to a representative, you may wait longer, but they can investigate specific issues like a missing or delayed refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a 2020 refund if I filed jointly with a spouse?

Yes. Use the Where's My Refund tool with either spouse's Social Security number and the total refund amount shown on the joint return. The status applies to the entire refund, not to individual portions. If the refund was issued by direct deposit, it went to the account listed on the return.

What if the Where's My Refund tool says my refund was issued but my bank says it never arrived?

Contact your bank first to confirm the deposit was not rejected or routed to a different account. If your bank confirms nothing arrived, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and refund amount. The IRS can verify the deposit details and investigate whether the transfer failed on their end or yours.

How long does it take to get a replacement check if mine was lost?

Once you contact the IRS and confirm the check was lost, they can issue a replacement or reissue the refund by direct deposit. A replacement check typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. Direct deposit is faster — 3 to 5 business days — if you provide updated banking information.

Why does the tool say my 2020 return is still processing after several months?

Returns selected for examination or those with errors or missing information take longer to process. The Where's My Refund tool should provide a reason or a phone number to call. Contact the IRS with your Social Security number to learn what is holding up your return and what you need to do to move it forward.

Can I track a 2020 refund if I filed an amended return?

The Where's My Refund tool does not track amended returns. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the date you filed the amended return, or request a transcript using Form 4506-C. Amended returns take 16 weeks or longer to process.