Check the IRS tracking tool first

The IRS Where's My Refund tool is the fastest way to find out what happened to your money. Go to irs.gov, click "Check my refund status," and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

The tool will show one of three statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but hasn't processed it yet), "Refund Approved" (approved but not yet sent to your bank), or "Refund Sent" (on its way to you). If it says "Refund Sent," note the date — that's when the IRS released the money, not when it will land in your account.

If the tool says your return is still being processed after 21 days, the IRS is likely reviewing it for errors, missing information, or identity verification. This is normal for returns with certain credits, deductions, or income sources, and can add weeks or months to the timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool updates daily and will tell you whether your return is still being processed, approved, or already sent to your bank.
  • If your refund shows as sent but hasn't arrived in your account after five business days, contact your bank to confirm they received the deposit.
  • Returns with certain credits, deductions, or income sources trigger additional review and can take 60 days or longer from the filing date.
  • If the IRS tool shows no record of your return at all, you may need to file a paper return or contact the IRS to confirm receipt.
  • The IRS phone line is slow but free; expect to wait 30 minutes to several hours depending on the time of year.

Understand why the IRS is holding your refund

The IRS processes most returns within 21 days, but certain situations trigger a longer review. Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), or the American Opportunity Tax Credit are held for additional verification — this is a legal requirement, not a delay. These returns can take 60 days or longer from the filing date.

Other common reasons for a hold include math errors on your return, missing or mismatched information (your name doesn't match Social Security records, for example), income reported on a 1099 that doesn't match what you reported, or a prior-year balance owed. If you claimed a dependent, the IRS may verify that the Social Security number belongs to someone you can claim.

Identity theft flags also cause delays. If someone filed a return using your Social Security number before you did, or if the IRS suspects fraud, they will hold your refund while they investigate. This can take weeks or months. The Where's My Refund tool will usually say "Return Received" for an extended period if this is happening.

What to do if your refund shows as sent but hasn't arrived

Once the IRS releases your refund, it typically reaches your bank account within one to five business days. If the Where's My Refund tool says "Refund Sent" but the money hasn't shown up after five business days, contact your bank's customer service line. Give them the refund amount and the date the IRS released it.

Banks can see incoming deposits in their system before they post to your account. Your bank can confirm whether the deposit arrived and when it will be available. If the deposit never arrived, the bank can file a trace with the Federal Reserve to locate it — this usually takes 10 business days.

If you provided an incorrect bank account number or routing number on your return, the IRS will send the refund to that account. If the account doesn't exist or belongs to someone else, the bank will reject the deposit and send it back to the IRS. The IRS will then mail you a paper check, which takes an additional two to three weeks. Check your return copy to verify the account and routing numbers you entered.

Contact the IRS if your return isn't showing up in the system

If the Where's My Refund tool says it has no record of your return, or if you filed more than 21 days ago and the tool still shows "Return Received" with no movement, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS phone line is free but often has long wait times, especially during tax season (January through April). Calling early in the morning or late in the week may mean shorter waits.

The IRS representative can tell you whether your return was received, whether it's being reviewed, and what information is missing if that's the issue. If your return was never received, they can help you determine whether to file a paper return or refile electronically. If the return was received but is stuck in review, they can sometimes escalate it or tell you what specific issue is holding it up.

If you filed by mail, allow 30 days before calling. The IRS takes longer to scan and enter paper returns into their system. If you filed electronically and it's been more than 21 days with no status update, calling is the right move.

File a complaint if the IRS misses its own timeline

The IRS publishes a Taxpayer Bill of Rights that includes a right to a timely refund. If your return has been in "Return Received" status for more than 60 days from the filing date, or if the IRS told you they would send your refund by a specific date and missed it, you can file a complaint with the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).

The TAS is a free, independent office within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve disputes. You can reach them at 1-877-777-4778 or through their website at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov. They will not speed up your refund, but they can investigate why it's delayed and push the IRS to act if there's an error on their end.

To file a TAS complaint, have your Social Security number, the date you filed, and documentation of the delay (screenshots from Where's My Refund, emails from the IRS, or a copy of your filed return). The TAS typically responds within 24 hours to urgent cases and can sometimes get results within days.

Know what to do if your refund was lost or sent to the wrong account

If the IRS confirms that your refund was sent but your bank says it never arrived, or if you realize you gave the IRS the wrong account number, you have options. First, wait the full 10 business days for the bank's trace to complete. If the money doesn't show up, the IRS will issue a replacement refund.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your refund was lost or sent to the wrong account. They will issue a replacement check, which will be mailed to the address on your return. Paper checks take two to three weeks to arrive. If you need the money sooner, ask the IRS representative whether they can reissue the refund to a different bank account instead of mailing a check.

If you suspect the refund was sent to an account that isn't yours (for example, if someone else filed a fraudulent return using your Social Security number), contact the IRS immediately and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. The IRS will investigate and may need to verify your identity before reissuing the refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a refund to show up after the IRS says it was sent?

One to five business days is typical. Weekends and bank holidays don't count. If it's been five business days and the money hasn't arrived, contact your bank to confirm they received the deposit. Some banks hold deposits for an extra day or two before making them available.

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

No. Calling the IRS can tell you the status and sometimes unblock a stuck return, but it won't speed up processing. If your return is in review, it will take as long as it takes. If there's missing information, the IRS can tell you what to send, and that may move things along.

What if I filed electronically but the IRS has no record of my return?

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm whether they received it. If they didn't, your tax software or preparer may not have actually submitted it. Check your email for a confirmation receipt from your software or preparer. If you can't find one, contact them to verify. You may need to refile.

Do I have to wait for my refund before I can file an amended return?

No. You can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) at any time, even if your original refund hasn't arrived. However, the IRS will hold the amended return until the original one is processed. It's usually better to wait for the original refund to clear before amending.

What happens if the IRS sends my refund to the wrong bank account?

The receiving bank will reject the deposit and send it back to the IRS, usually within 10 business days. The IRS will then mail you a paper check to the address on your return. This adds two to three weeks. You can ask the IRS to reissue the refund to a correct account instead if you call them before the check is mailed.