The IRS Where's My Refund tool is the official place to check your federal tax refund

Go to irs.gov/refunds and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will not show new information.

The tool shows your refund in one of three statuses: received (the IRS has your return), approved (your return passed review and the refund is being prepared), or sent (the refund has been issued and is on its way to you). Each status tells you roughly where you are in the process, though it does not show a precise delivery date until the refund has actually been sent.

If you filed electronically, the tool typically has information within 24 hours of the IRS receiving your return. If you mailed a paper return, it can take two to three weeks for the IRS to enter it into their system before the tool will show anything at all.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov/refunds is the official source for federal tax refund status and requires your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
  • The tool updates once daily and shows three possible statuses: received, approved, or sent — but does not provide exact delivery dates until the refund ships.
  • Electronic returns appear in the tool within 24 hours; paper returns take two to three weeks to enter the system.
  • If the tool says your refund has been sent, you can track the delivery method (direct deposit, check, or debit card) on the same page.
  • State tax refunds have separate tracking systems run by each state's revenue department, not the IRS.

What the three refund statuses mean and how long each one takes

Received means the IRS has your return in their system but has not yet reviewed it for errors or fraud. This is the first status you will see after filing electronically. The IRS typically moves returns from received to approved within 21 days, though complex returns or those with missing information can take longer.

Approved means the IRS has reviewed your return, found no problems, and is now preparing your refund for payment. This stage usually lasts a few days to a week. Once your refund moves to approved, the IRS has committed to sending it — barring a major error or fraud flag, the money is coming.

Sent means the IRS has issued your refund. At this point, the tool will also show you the delivery method: direct deposit to your bank account, a check in the mail, or a debit card. If you chose direct deposit, the money typically arrives within one to two business days after the status changes to sent. If you are receiving a check, allow five to seven business days from the sent date.

How to track your refund if it was sent by check or debit card

Once the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund as sent, it will display the delivery method. If you chose direct deposit, you will see the last four digits of the bank account where the money is going. If you chose a check or debit card, the tool will tell you that, but it will not give you a tracking number — checks and debit cards do not have individual tracking like packages do.

For a check, the IRS mails refunds from a single facility, and delivery takes five to seven business days from the sent date. If your check does not arrive within that window, wait an additional week before contacting the IRS, because mail delays happen. If it has been more than two weeks since the sent date, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it.

For a debit card refund, the card is mailed separately from a contractor, not the IRS directly. The tool will tell you the card is being sent, but you will not see a tracking number. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you do not receive it, the IRS can issue a replacement or send the refund by check instead.

What to do if the tool says there is a problem with your return

If the Where's My Refund tool shows a delay or error message instead of one of the three standard statuses, it usually means the IRS found something that does not match — a name mismatch, a duplicate Social Security number claim, missing income information, or a math error. The tool will tell you to contact the IRS or wait for a letter.

Do not ignore this. The IRS will mail you a formal notice explaining what is wrong and what you need to do. This letter takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive. Read it carefully, because it will tell you whether you need to send documents, call a phone number, or simply wait while the IRS verifies information with your employer or bank.

If you want to contact the IRS before the letter arrives, call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. Wait times are long during tax season, so call early in the morning or later in the week if possible.

Checking your state tax refund separately

Your state tax refund is tracked through your state's revenue or taxation department, not the IRS. Each state runs its own system and has its own timeline. Some states process refunds faster than the federal government; others take longer.

To find your state's refund tracker, search "[your state] tax refund status" or go to your state's revenue department website directly. Most states have a tool similar to the IRS's Where's My Refund, and you will need your Social Security number and refund amount. A few states require your driver's license number instead.

State refunds typically take 2 to 8 weeks from the time you file, depending on the state and whether you filed electronically or by mail. If your state refund is delayed, contact your state's revenue department directly — the IRS cannot help with state refunds.

Why your refund might be delayed even after the tool says it was sent

If the Where's My Refund tool says your refund was sent but the money has not arrived in your bank account or the check has not shown up, the delay is usually in delivery, not processing. Direct deposits can be delayed by your bank if there is a hold on your account, if you recently changed banks, or if the account number on your return is incorrect.

For direct deposits, contact your bank first. Tell them the IRS sent a deposit on a specific date and ask whether it is pending or if there is a hold. If your bank says they never received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with the sent date from the tool. The IRS can verify whether the deposit was actually sent and to which account.

For checks, mail delays are common, especially during peak tax season. The IRS can issue a replacement check if yours has been lost, but they will ask you to wait at least 30 days from the sent date before doing so. If you need the money sooner, ask the IRS about having the refund sent by direct deposit to a different account instead.

What information you need before you check your refund status

Have these three things ready before you go to irs.gov/refunds: your Social Security number, your filing status as it appears on your return (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow/widower), and the exact refund amount you claimed on your return.

The refund amount must match exactly — if you claimed $2,847 and you enter $2,800, the tool will not find your return. If you do not remember the exact amount, look at your tax return itself or the confirmation email or letter you received when you filed. Do not guess.

If you filed jointly with a spouse, use the primary taxpayer's Social Security number (the one listed first on the return). If you filed with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number, the tool may not work — contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status on my phone?

Yes. The IRS Where's My Refund tool works on mobile browsers. Go to irs.gov/refunds on your phone's web browser and enter your information the same way you would on a computer. The IRS also has a mobile app called IRS2Go that includes the refund tracker, available for free on iOS and Android.

Why does the tool say my refund was sent but my bank account shows nothing?

Direct deposits usually arrive one to two business days after the sent status appears, but delays happen. Wait two business days, then contact your bank to ask if the deposit is pending or if there is a hold on your account. If your bank says they never received it, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with the sent date.

What if I filed a paper return and the tool does not show anything?

Paper returns take two to three weeks to enter the IRS system. If you filed more than three weeks ago and the tool still shows nothing, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm they received it. Bring your mailing confirmation or tracking number if you have it.

Can I use the tool to check someone else's refund?

No. The tool requires the Social Security number of the person who filed the return. You can only check your own refund or, if you have power of attorney, a client's refund if you are a tax professional. Spouses cannot check each other's refunds without the primary filer's Social Security number.

Does the Where's My Refund tool work for amended returns?

The tool tracks original returns only. If you filed an amended return (Form 1040-X), the tool will still show the status of your original return. Amended returns are processed separately and take 16 weeks or longer. The IRS will mail you a notice when your amended return is complete.