Check your refund status on IRS.gov or your state tax website

The IRS has a tool called Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov that shows you the status of your federal tax refund in real time. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, and tells you whether the IRS is still processing your return, has approved it, or has sent the money out.

For state refunds, go to your state's tax department website directly. Each state runs its own system and timeline. Some states have a refund tracker similar to the IRS tool; others require you to call or mail in a form to check status. The state tax website will have a link labeled something like "Check Refund Status" or "Refund Tracker" on the homepage.

You can also check your refund through the IRS2Go mobile app, which is free and available on iOS and Android. It uses the same data as the website but lets you check from your phone without opening a browser.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov updates once daily and shows whether your federal refund is processing, approved, or sent.
  • You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to check your federal status.
  • State refunds are tracked through each state's tax department website, which you can find by searching "[your state] tax refund status" or "[your state] department of revenue".
  • If your refund shows as sent but you have not received it, check your bank account for a pending deposit before contacting the IRS.
  • The IRS2Go app provides the same information as the website and updates on the same schedule.

What the refund status messages actually mean

Return Received means the IRS has your return but has not started processing it yet. This is normal and happens within a few days of filing. You will see this message for a few weeks while the IRS reviews your documents and verifies your information.

Refund Approved means the IRS has finished reviewing your return and decided to send you money. The tool will show you the date the refund will be deposited or mailed. If you chose direct deposit, the money typically arrives within one to two business days after this message appears. If you chose a paper check, allow five to seven business days from the approval date.

Refund Sent means the money has left the IRS and is on its way to you. For direct deposit, this usually means the deposit will arrive within one business day. For a check, it means the check is in the mail and should arrive within seven to ten business days, depending on postal service delays.

If the tool shows Still Processing after 21 days, your return may need additional review. The IRS will contact you by mail if they need more information from you. Do not call or visit an office unless you receive a letter asking you to do so.

How long refunds typically take from start to finish

Most federal tax refunds are processed and sent within 21 days of filing. The IRS publishes this as their standard timeline, though many refunds arrive faster — some within five to ten days if there are no issues with your return.

The timeline depends on how you filed and how you want the money. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, you are usually at the faster end of the range. If you filed a paper return or requested a check, add five to seven days for mail delivery on top of the processing time.

State refunds vary widely. Some states process refunds in two to three weeks; others take six to eight weeks or longer. Check your state's tax website for their published timeline. Some states also hold refunds if they suspect identity theft or if your return does not match their records, which can add weeks to the process.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund as sent but you have not received it after the expected delivery date, first check your bank account for a pending deposit. Banks sometimes show deposits as pending for one to three business days before the money becomes available, even though the IRS has already sent it.

If you filed for direct deposit and the money does not appear in your account within two business days of the "Refund Sent" message, contact your bank to confirm they have received the deposit. Provide them with the refund amount and the date the IRS said it was sent. Your bank can tell you whether the deposit arrived and why it might not be showing in your account yet.

If you requested a paper check and it has not arrived within ten business days of the "Refund Sent" message, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you whether the check was mailed and can issue a replacement if it was lost in the mail.

For state refunds, contact your state's tax department directly using the phone number on their website. Do not rely on general state government numbers, as they often route you to the wrong office.

Tracking a refund when you filed jointly or claimed dependents

If you filed a joint return, only one spouse needs to check the status — the tool shows the same information regardless of which Social Security number you use. However, if the IRS needs to contact either spouse, they will mail a letter to the address on the return.

Claiming dependents does not change how you check your refund status, but it can slow down processing. The IRS verifies dependent information more carefully than other parts of your return, so refunds for returns with dependents sometimes take longer than the standard 21 days. The Where's My Refund tool will still show your status and updated timeline.

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit, your refund will not be sent until after February 15, even if your return is approved earlier. This is a federal rule that applies every year. The tool will show your refund as approved but will not show a send date until mid-February.

Checking a refund for a prior year return

If you are looking for a refund from a return you filed in a previous year, use the same Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov. The tool works for returns from the current year and the prior year. Enter your information the same way.

If your prior-year refund never arrived and the tool no longer shows it, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Bring your tax return from that year and any documentation showing you filed it. The IRS can research what happened to the refund and issue a replacement check if it was lost.

For state refunds from prior years, contact your state's tax department. Some states have a longer window for claiming unclaimed refunds — typically three to seven years depending on the state — but you must request it. After that window closes, the state keeps the money.

Why your refund might not show up in the tool

If you just filed your return, it may take 24 hours to appear in the Where's My Refund tool. The IRS does not update the tool in real time; it refreshes once per day, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. Eastern time. If you filed yesterday and the tool says it has no record, wait until tomorrow and check again.

If you filed more than a few days ago and the tool still says it has no record, double-check that you entered your information correctly. The most common mistake is entering the wrong refund amount — use the exact amount from your tax return, not a rounded number. If the amount is correct and the tool still does not find your return, your return may not have been received by the IRS yet. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm they have your return on file.

If you filed a paper return, it takes longer to enter the IRS system than an electronic return. Paper returns are typically in the system within two to three weeks of the IRS receiving them. If you mailed your return more than three weeks ago and it still does not show up, contact the IRS to confirm receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status if I filed with a tax preparer or software?

Yes. Your refund status is the same whether you filed yourself or used a preparer. Use the Where's My Refund tool with your own Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. Some tax software companies also offer refund tracking through their website, but the IRS tool is the official source.

What does it mean if the tool says my refund amount is different from what I expected?

The IRS may have adjusted your refund if you owed back taxes, student loan debt, or child support. The tool does not explain the reason for the change, but the IRS will mail you a letter explaining what happened. Check your mail for a notice from the IRS within two weeks of seeing the adjusted amount.

How do I check my refund if I filed an amended return?

Amended returns (Form 1040-X) take longer to process than original returns — typically 16 weeks or more. The Where's My Refund tool may not show an amended return right away. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to check the status of an amended return, or wait for the IRS to mail you a notice.

Can someone else check my refund status for me?

Only you or someone with your Social Security number and refund amount can check your status using the Where's My Refund tool. If you want to give someone else permission to check on your behalf, you can provide them with this information, but the IRS does not have a formal power-of-attorney process for refund status checks.

What if my direct deposit was rejected and I never got my refund?

If your bank rejected the IRS deposit, the IRS will mail you a paper check instead. This takes an additional five to seven business days. Check your mail for the check. If you do not receive it within ten business days of the rejection, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your bank's rejection notice if you have it.