Where to check your federal tax refund

The IRS provides a tool called Where's My Refund? that shows the status of your federal return. You reach it through IRS.gov by entering your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day will show the same information.

Where's My Refund? tells 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 has been sent. If your return was filed electronically and you chose direct deposit, the tool will show the deposit date once it is scheduled. If you chose a paper check, it will show the date the check was mailed.

You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to speak with a representative, though wait times are often long during tax season. Have your return in front of you when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov is the official source for federal refund status and updates once per day.
  • Most electronically filed returns with direct deposit are processed within 21 days, though some take longer if the IRS needs to verify information.
  • If your refund is delayed past the expected date, the IRS website will tell you why and what to do next.
  • State tax refunds are tracked through your state's tax agency website, not the IRS, and timelines vary by state.
  • If your refund never arrives, you can file a claim or request a trace through the IRS or your state tax office.

How long federal refunds usually take

The IRS says most refunds are issued within 21 days of filing, but this is not a may provide. The 21-day window applies to returns filed electronically with direct deposit selected. Paper returns take longer—typically four to six weeks or more.

Several things can slow down your refund. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until at least mid-February, even if your return is ready earlier. If the IRS needs to verify information on your return—your identity, income, or dependents—processing can take weeks or months longer. Returns with math errors, missing information, or amounts that don't match what employers or banks reported to the IRS also face delays.

Where's My Refund? will show you if your return is being reviewed. If it does, you will see a message saying the IRS is still processing your return and will contact you if they need more information.

Checking your state tax refund status

State tax refunds are handled separately from federal refunds and have their own timelines. You check your state refund status through your state's tax agency website, not through the IRS. Most states have a tool similar to Where's My Refund? where you enter your Social Security number and refund amount.

State processing times vary widely. Some states issue refunds within two to three weeks of filing; others take six weeks or longer. A few states process refunds more slowly during peak tax season and faster during off-season months. Check your state's tax website for their current processing times—they usually post this information during tax season.

If you filed your state return at the same time as your federal return and both were accepted, your state refund may arrive before or after your federal refund. There is no set order.

What to do if your refund status shows a problem

If Where's My Refund? shows that the IRS is holding your return for review, you will see a message explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between your reported income and what your employer reported, a dependent claimed on your return that the IRS cannot verify, or a math error on the form itself.

If the message says the IRS needs more information from you, it will tell you how to provide it—usually by mail or through your IRS online account. Do not ignore this message. If you do not respond within the timeframe given, the IRS may reduce your refund or deny it entirely.

If Where's My Refund? shows your refund was sent but you have not received it after the expected date, the next step depends on how you chose to receive it. For direct deposit, check your bank account to make sure the deposit did not go to an old account or get held by your bank. For a paper check, wait a few more days—mail can be delayed. If more than a week has passed since the date shown in Where's My Refund?, contact the IRS.

How to file a claim if your refund never arrives

If your refund was supposed to arrive by direct deposit but never showed up in your account, you can file a claim with the IRS. Start by calling 1-800-829-1040 and asking to file a refund trace. The IRS will investigate whether the money was sent to the wrong account, lost in transit, or never sent at all.

A refund trace takes about four weeks. The IRS will contact you by mail with the results. If they find that the money was sent to the wrong account, they will work with your bank to recover it. If they find the money was never sent, they will issue a new refund, usually by check.

For a paper check that never arrived, you can also file a trace. The IRS will search their records and either reissue the check or send the refund by direct deposit if you provide banking information.

Using your IRS online account to track your return

The IRS online account (at IRS.gov) shows more detail than Where's My Refund? alone. You can see the exact status of your return, any notices the IRS has sent you, and your payment history. To set up an account, you will need to verify your identity through a third-party service—the IRS uses ID.me for this.

Your online account updates at the same time as Where's My Refund?, usually overnight. If you have questions about your return or need to respond to an IRS notice, your online account often lets you do that without calling or mailing anything in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status before the IRS accepts my return?

No. Where's My Refund? only works after the IRS has accepted your return. If you filed electronically, acceptance usually happens within 24 hours. If you filed by mail, it can take two to four weeks for the IRS to receive and process your return before it shows up in the system.

Why does Where's My Refund? say my refund was sent but my bank shows nothing?

Direct deposits can take one to three business days to appear in your account after the IRS sends them. If more than three business days have passed, check that the account number on your return is correct. If it is wrong, the money may have gone to a different account. Call your bank to ask if a deposit was rejected or sent elsewhere, then contact the IRS to file a trace.

What if I filed my return but it is not showing up in Where's My Refund? yet?

If you filed electronically, wait 24 hours. If you filed by mail, wait two to four weeks for the IRS to receive and scan your return. Once it is processed, it will appear in the system. If you filed more than a month ago and it still does not show up, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm they received it.

Do I need to do anything if Where's My Refund? says my refund is approved?

No. Once your refund is approved, the IRS will send it automatically on the date shown. You do not need to take any action. Just wait for the deposit or check to arrive.

How do I check my state refund if I do not know my state's website?

Search "[your state] tax refund status" in a search engine, or go to your state's department of revenue or taxation website directly. Most states have a link to their refund tracker on the homepage. You will need your Social Security number and the refund amount from your state return.