Check the IRS system status page first
The IRS Where's My Refund tool goes offline for maintenance regularly, and the fastest way to know if it is down is to visit the official IRS status page at irs.gov/refunds/status. This page tells you whether the tool is currently available, when it last updated, and if there are known issues affecting lookups.
The tool typically updates once per day, usually overnight. If you checked yesterday and got a result, checking again the same day may show no change — that does not mean the system is down. The IRS processes refunds in batches, so a delay between checks is normal.
If the status page itself is unreachable or shows a server error, the IRS website itself may be experiencing problems. Try again in 15 to 30 minutes. The IRS rarely takes the entire website down, but individual tools can be offline while the rest of the site works.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS status page at irs.gov/refunds/status tells you whether Where's My Refund is currently working and when it last updated.
- The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times the same day will show the same information.
- A message saying "information is not available" does not always mean the system is down — it can mean the IRS has not yet processed your return.
- If you cannot reach the IRS website at all, wait 15 to 30 minutes and try again, as temporary outages are usually brief.
- You can also call the IRS refund line at 1-800-829-1954 to check your status by phone if the online tool is not working.
What "information is not available" actually means
When Where's My Refund says "information is not available," it does not always mean the tool is broken. It usually means one of three things: the IRS has not yet processed your return, your return is still being reviewed, or you entered your information incorrectly.
If you filed less than 21 days ago, the IRS has not had time to process your return yet, and the tool will show no information. This is normal. The tool can only show status for returns the IRS has actually received and begun processing.
If your return is under review — for example, because you claimed a large refund or the IRS needs to verify your identity — the tool may show no status for several weeks. In this case, the system is working correctly; it just means your refund is delayed.
Double-check that you entered your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount correctly. A single digit wrong will produce a "not available" message even if your return has been processed.
Scheduled maintenance windows and outage patterns
The IRS schedules maintenance on Where's My Refund most nights between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time. If you try to check during these hours, you will see an error message or a notice that the tool is temporarily unavailable. This is planned downtime, not a malfunction.
During tax season (January through mid-April), outages are more common because traffic to the tool is heaviest. The IRS may also take the tool offline to handle system updates or to process a large batch of refunds. These outages rarely last more than a few hours.
If you see an error message between 5:00 a.m. and midnight Eastern Time on a weekday, the outage is unplanned. Check the IRS status page or try again in 30 minutes. Unplanned outages are usually resolved quickly.
How to check your refund status by phone instead
If Where's My Refund is down and you need to know your status, you can call the IRS refund line at 1-800-829-1954. This line is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount ready.
The phone line uses automated voice prompts, so you do not need to speak to a person. The system will tell you whether your return has been received, whether it is being processed, and when you can expect your refund. If your return is delayed or under review, the system will tell you that as well.
Wait times can be long during tax season, especially in the morning and early afternoon. Calling after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time usually means shorter hold times. If you cannot reach the line, try again the next business day.
What to do if the tool stays down for more than a day
If Where's My Refund has been showing errors for more than 24 hours and the IRS status page does not mention maintenance, contact the IRS directly. You can call 1-800-829-1954 during business hours or visit a local IRS office to speak with someone in person.
Bring your tax return, your Social Security card or ID, and any notices the IRS has sent you. An IRS representative can look up your refund status in the system even if the public-facing tool is down. They can also tell you if your return is delayed and why.
If you filed electronically and your refund is more than 21 days late, you can file a complaint with the Taxpayer Advocate Service. This is a free service within the IRS that helps when normal channels are not working. You can reach them at 1-877-777-4778.
Refund delays that are not caused by system outages
Sometimes Where's My Refund works fine but shows no status because your refund is genuinely delayed. The most common reasons are identity verification holds, math errors on your return, and claims that trigger additional review.
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 February 15 at the earliest, even if everything on your return is correct. This is not a system issue; it is a legal requirement. Where's My Refund will show your return as received but will not give a refund date until after February 15.
If the IRS needs to verify your identity, you will receive a notice in the mail with instructions. You will need to respond to that notice before your refund can be released. Where's My Refund may show no status during this time, or it may show a message that your return is under review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund status on my phone?
Yes. The IRS Where's My Refund tool works on mobile browsers at irs.gov/refunds/status. You can also call 1-800-829-1954 from any phone. The website is not optimized for mobile, so the phone line may be easier to use if you are on a small screen.
Why does Where's My Refund say my information is not available when I filed weeks ago?
This usually means the IRS is still processing your return or your return is under review. It can also mean you entered your information incorrectly. Check that your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount are exactly right. If they are correct and you filed more than 21 days ago, call 1-800-829-1954 to speak with the IRS.
Is Where's My Refund down right now?
Check irs.gov/refunds/status to see the current status. If that page itself is not loading, the IRS website may be experiencing a temporary outage. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and try again. You can also call 1-800-829-1954 to check by phone.
What if I filed my return but Where's My Refund has never shown any status?
If more than 21 days have passed since you filed, call 1-800-829-1954 or visit a local IRS office. Bring your tax return and ID. The IRS can tell you whether your return was received and why it is not showing up in the tool.
Can I get my refund faster if I call instead of using the website?
No. Calling the IRS lets you check your status, but it does not speed up processing. Your refund will arrive on the same timeline whether you check online or by phone. The tool and the phone line both pull from the same system.