Which number you call depends on who owes you the refund
The IRS has a single phone line for federal tax refund questions: 1-800-829-1040. That number works for refunds from your federal income tax return, amended returns, and Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks). The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time.
If you are waiting for a state tax refund, you need your state's tax agency, not the IRS. Each state runs its own refund system and timeline. The IRS cannot tell you about a state refund, and your state tax office cannot tell you about a federal one. You will find your state's number on your state tax return instructions or on the state revenue department website.
If your refund is from a business, insurance claim, or retailer, those organizations have their own refund lines. This article covers tax refunds only.
Key Takeaways
- Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for federal tax refunds, amended return refunds, and stimulus payment status.
- State tax refunds require calling your state's tax agency directly, not the IRS.
- Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return ready before you call.
- Wait times are longest in February through April; calling early in the week and early in the day usually means shorter holds.
- If you cannot reach anyone by phone, the IRS website has a refund tracker tool that works 24 hours a day.
What to have ready before you call the IRS
The IRS representative will ask for your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return. Have your return in front of you or know these details from memory. If you filed electronically, you may also have a confirmation number from your tax software or tax preparer.
The representative can tell you whether the refund has been processed, when it was sent, and what method it was sent by (direct deposit or check). They cannot speed up a refund that is still being processed, but they can confirm it is in the system and give you an expected arrival date.
When the IRS phone line is busiest and hardest to reach
The IRS phone line gets heaviest call volume from mid-February through mid-April, when most people file their returns. If you call during this window, expect to wait 30 minutes to two hours or longer. The line is also busy on Mondays and Tuesdays and during the first hour after it opens at 7 a.m.
If you are calling about a refund from a return you filed months ago, you can usually reach someone faster by calling in May or later, or by calling on Wednesday through Friday in the afternoon. Even so, you may wait 15 to 30 minutes.
If you cannot get through by phone, use the IRS refund tracker tool on IRS.gov instead. It is available 24 hours a day and will tell you the status of your federal refund without waiting on hold.
Using the IRS refund tracker instead of calling
The IRS refund tracker is a free tool on IRS.gov that shows the status of your federal refund without requiring a phone call. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount, and the tool tells you whether your refund has been received, is being processed, has been sent, or has been delivered.
The tracker updates once per day, usually overnight. If your refund status has not changed since yesterday, calling the IRS will not give you newer information. The tracker is most useful if you want to check status at night or on weekends, or if you want to avoid phone hold times.
The tracker does not work for amended returns (Form 1040-X) or for refunds that were issued more than a year ago. For those, you will need to call.
How to reach your state tax agency about a state refund
Your state tax return instructions include a phone number for refund questions. You can also find it by searching "[your state] tax refund status" or "[your state] department of revenue phone number." Most states also have online refund trackers similar to the IRS tool.
State processing times vary widely. Some states issue refunds within two to three weeks of receiving your return; others take six to eight weeks or longer. Call your state agency to find out what the current processing time is, because it changes depending on how many returns they are processing.
What to do if you cannot reach anyone by phone
If the IRS line is consistently busy or you cannot get through, try the IRS refund tracker first. It handles most routine status questions without requiring a conversation.
If you need to speak to someone and cannot reach the phone line, you can mail a written inquiry to the IRS address listed in your tax return instructions. Include your name, Social Security number, the tax year, and a description of your question. Mailed inquiries take longer than phone calls—usually four to six weeks—but they will get a response.
Some tax preparation software companies (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) offer phone support to their customers about refund status. If you used one of these services, check your account to see whether phone support is included.
Refund status when you filed an amended return
If you filed Form 1040-X (amended return) to correct a mistake on your original return, the refund from that amended return goes through a separate processing track. The IRS refund tracker does not show amended return status. You must call 1-800-829-1040 and tell the representative you are asking about an amended return refund.
Amended returns take longer to process than original returns—typically eight to twelve weeks from the date the IRS receives your Form 1040-X. The representative can tell you whether your amended return has been received and when you can expect the refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my refund faster by calling the IRS?
No. Calling the IRS does not speed up your refund. The representative can only tell you the status and expected arrival date. If your refund is still being processed, calling will not move it along. The only way to get a refund faster is to file your return as early as possible in the tax season and choose direct deposit instead of a check.
What if the IRS says my refund was sent but I never received it?
If the IRS says your refund was sent by direct deposit, check with your bank to confirm the deposit arrived. Banks sometimes deposit refunds to the wrong account if your routing number was entered incorrectly. If the IRS says a check was sent but you did not receive it, ask the representative for the check number and mailing date. You can then file a claim for a lost check, which the IRS will investigate.
Is there a different number for business tax refunds?
Business tax refunds (from Form 1120, 1120-S, 1065, etc.) also go through the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, but you may reach a different department. Have your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and the tax year ready. Processing times for business refunds are often longer than for individual returns.
Do I need to call if I filed my return electronically?
No. Electronic returns are processed faster and more reliably than paper returns. Use the IRS refund tracker to check status instead. Call only if the tracker shows an error or if your refund is significantly delayed beyond the expected timeframe.
What if I am calling from outside the United States?
The IRS phone line is for calls within the United States only. If you are calling from outside the U.S., use the IRS refund tracker on IRS.gov, or mail a written inquiry to the IRS address in your tax return instructions. Some international tax services also offer phone support for U.S. tax refund questions.