How the IRS sends your refund
The IRS sends most refunds by direct deposit to the bank account you listed on your tax return. If you chose direct deposit, the money lands in your account without you doing anything else — you just wait. If you did not choose direct deposit, the IRS mails a paper check to the address on your return.
Direct deposit is faster: typically 1 to 5 business days after the IRS processes your return. A mailed check takes 7 to 10 business days after processing, though mail delays can add time depending on where you live and where the check is mailed from.
You can change your refund delivery method only before you file. Once your return is submitted to the IRS, the delivery method is locked in. If you filed by mail, you cannot switch to direct deposit later. If you filed electronically and chose a mailed check, you cannot change it to direct deposit after submission.
Key Takeaways
- Direct deposit refunds arrive in 1 to 5 business days after the IRS processes your return; mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days plus mail time.
- You choose your delivery method when you file your return, and you cannot change it afterward.
- The IRS Where's My Refund tool shows you the exact status and expected arrival date once your return is processed.
- If your refund is delayed beyond the expected date, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or use the IRS website to find out why.
- State tax refunds are separate from federal refunds and arrive on their own timeline, usually 1 to 3 weeks after the state processes your return.
Tracking your federal refund with Where's My Refund
The IRS tool Where's My Refund is the only official way to track your federal refund status. You reach it at irs.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1040. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. It shows three possible statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but has not started processing), "Refund Approved" (the IRS has processed your return and approved the refund), and "Refund Sent" (the money is on its way to you). Each status includes an expected delivery date.
If the tool says your refund has been sent but the money has not arrived after the expected date, wait three business days. Mail and banking delays can push arrival back by a few days. If it is still missing after three business days past the expected date, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it.
What to do if your refund is delayed
The IRS processes returns in the order they are received. If your return was filed early in the tax season, it usually processes within 21 days. If you filed later, processing can take longer because the IRS is working through a larger backlog.
Some returns take longer than 21 days because the IRS needs to verify information on your return. This happens when you claim certain credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit), when your return has math errors, when your Social Security number does not match IRS records, or when the IRS suspects identity theft. The Where's My Refund tool will tell you if your return is under review.
If your return is under review, the IRS will contact you by mail if they need more information from you. Do not ignore these letters — they include a deadline for responding. If you miss the deadline, the IRS may deny your refund or reduce it. If you receive a letter from the IRS about your return, follow the instructions in the letter exactly.
Direct deposit versus mailed checks
Direct deposit is faster and safer than a mailed check. The money goes straight into your bank account, so there is no risk of the check getting lost in the mail or stolen from your mailbox. Direct deposit also means you do not have to go to a bank to cash or deposit the check.
If you choose direct deposit, make sure the bank account number and routing number on your return are correct. If you enter the wrong account number, the IRS will send the money to that account instead of yours, and you will have to contact the IRS to fix it. This can delay your refund by weeks.
If you choose a mailed check, the check is sent to the address on your return. If you have moved since you filed, the check may go to your old address. You can update your address with the IRS using Form 8822, but only if you file it before the check is mailed. Once the check is mailed, you have to wait for it to arrive at the old address, then contact the sender to have it redirected or reissued.
State tax refunds arrive separately
Your state tax refund is separate from your federal refund and arrives on its own timeline. Most states process returns within 1 to 3 weeks of receiving them, though some states take longer during peak tax season.
To track your state refund, go to your state's tax agency website. Each state has its own tracking tool, similar to the IRS Where's My Refund tool. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find the right link. You will need your Social Security number and the refund amount.
Some states offer direct deposit for refunds, and some mail checks only. Check your state's website to see which options are available in your state. If you chose direct deposit for your state return, the timeline is the same as federal: 1 to 5 business days after processing. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days plus mail time.
What happens if your refund never arrives
If your direct deposit refund does not arrive within 5 business days of the expected date, or if your mailed check does not arrive within 10 business days of the expected date, contact the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1040 or use the Where's My Refund tool to report the missing refund.
The IRS can issue a replacement refund, but only after confirming that the original refund was not deposited into your account or cashed. If you received a mailed check and it was lost or stolen, the IRS can issue a new check, but you may have to sign a form stating that you did not receive the original. This process can take 4 to 6 weeks.
If your refund was deposited into the wrong bank account because you entered the wrong account number on your return, contact that bank immediately. The bank can sometimes reverse the deposit and send the money back to the IRS, which will then reissue your refund to the correct account. This is faster than waiting for the IRS to process a claim.
Refunds for joint returns and amended returns
If you filed a joint return with a spouse, both names appear on the refund check or direct deposit. If you are divorced or separated and filed jointly, you may need to contact the IRS to split the refund. The IRS does not split refunds automatically, so you and your spouse will have to work out the division yourselves or go through the courts.
If you filed an amended return (Form 1040-X), your refund will be delayed. The IRS processes amended returns separately and more slowly than original returns. An amended return can take 12 to 16 weeks to process, depending on the IRS workload. You can track an amended return using Where's My Refund, but the tool may not show a status for several weeks after you file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my refund delivery method after I file?
No. Once you submit your return to the IRS, the delivery method is locked in. If you filed electronically and chose a mailed check, you cannot change it to direct deposit. If you filed by mail, you cannot change it at all. You can only choose your delivery method when you file your return.
Why does the IRS Where's My Refund tool say my refund was sent but I have not received it?
Direct deposit refunds usually arrive within 1 to 5 business days after the tool says "Refund Sent," but banking delays can add a few more days. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days plus mail time. Wait three business days past the expected date before contacting the IRS. If it still has not arrived, call 1-800-829-1040.
What if I entered the wrong bank account number for direct deposit?
Contact the bank that received the deposit immediately and ask them to reverse it. If they can reverse it, the money goes back to the IRS, which will reissue your refund to the correct account. This is faster than filing a claim with the IRS. If the bank cannot reverse it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error.
How long does it take to get a replacement check if mine was lost?
The IRS can issue a replacement check, but only after confirming that the original was not cashed. This verification process takes 4 to 6 weeks. You may have to sign a form stating that you did not receive the original check. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to start the replacement process.
Do I track my state refund the same way as my federal refund?
No. Each state has its own refund tracking tool on its tax agency website. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find the link. State refunds usually arrive within 1 to 3 weeks of processing, which is separate from your federal refund timeline.