The IRS "Where's My Refund" tool is the official way to check your federal tax refund status
The IRS runs a tool called Where's My Refund on its website at irs.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return, and the tool tells you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, or has issued your refund. This is the only official source for federal refund status — not Facebook, not third-party websites, and not email.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you filed electronically, you can check status within 24 hours of filing. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least three weeks before checking. The IRS processes most refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, though some take longer if the return needs review or correction.
Facebook posts claiming to show refund status or offering to speed up your refund are not from the IRS. The IRS does not contact people through Facebook, does not offer refund tracking through social media, and does not process refunds faster for people who share posts or click links. If you see a post like this, do not click the link or enter any personal information.
Key Takeaways
- Go to irs.gov and use the official Where's My Refund tool — it is the only real way to check your federal refund status.
- You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return to use the tool.
- The tool updates once per day and shows whether your return was received, is being processed, or has been sent to your bank or by mail.
- Facebook posts about refunds are not from the IRS and should not be trusted, even if they look official or claim to speed up your refund.
- If the IRS needs more information about your return, they will contact you by mail at the address on your return — never by Facebook or email.
How to use the official IRS Where's My Refund tool
Open a web browser and go to irs.gov. Look for the "Where's My Refund" link — it is usually on the homepage under "Tools" or "Refunds". Click it and you will see a form with three fields.
Enter your Social Security number exactly as it appears on your tax return. Select your filing status from the dropdown menu — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household. Then enter the exact refund amount you claimed on your return. This must match dollar for dollar; if you claimed $1,500 and you enter $1,501, the tool will reject it.
Click "Submit" and the tool will show your refund status. The status will say one of three things: "Return Received" (the IRS got your return but has not finished processing it), "Refund Approved" (the IRS approved your refund and sent it to your bank or the mail), or "Refund Sent" (your refund is on its way). If your status is "Refund Sent", the tool will also show the date it was sent and the delivery method — direct deposit to your bank account or a check by mail.
What to do if the tool says your refund is delayed
If you filed more than 21 days ago and the tool still shows "Return Received" or does not show your return at all, your return may need review. The IRS reviews returns that have math errors, missing information, or items that trigger fraud checks. This can add two to eight weeks to processing time.
Do not call the IRS to ask about a delay unless you filed more than 21 days ago. The IRS phone lines are very busy during tax season and wait times are often several hours. If you do call, have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. The IRS phone number is 1-800-829-1040.
If the tool shows your refund was sent but you have not received it after two weeks (for direct deposit) or four weeks (for a check), contact your bank first. Your bank can tell you whether the deposit arrived and was rejected, or whether it never came through. If your bank says it did not receive the deposit, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to issue a replacement check.
Why Facebook posts about refunds are fake
Scammers post fake refund status updates on Facebook to trick people into clicking links or entering personal information. These posts often say things like "Check your refund status here" or "The IRS just released a new tool" or "Your refund is ready — click to claim it". The links go to fake websites that look like irs.gov but are designed to steal your Social Security number, bank account information, or tax return data.
The real IRS does not use Facebook to contact people about refunds. The IRS does not send links through social media. The IRS does not have a special tool that works only on Facebook. If you see a post like this, do not click it, do not share it, and do not enter any information. Report it to Facebook by clicking the three dots on the post and selecting "Report post".
The only way the IRS contacts you about your refund is by mail. If they need more information, they will send you a letter to the address on your return. They will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account number, or PIN by email or phone.
State refund status — a separate tool from federal
If you are waiting for a state tax refund, you cannot check it on the IRS website. Each state runs its own refund tracking tool. You will need to go to your state's tax agency website and look for a "Where's My Refund" or "Refund Status" tool there.
State refund timelines vary. Some states process refunds in two to three weeks; others take six to eight weeks. If you filed your state return at the same time as your federal return, your state refund may arrive before or after your federal refund — they are processed separately.
Like the IRS, state tax agencies do not contact people through Facebook or email about refunds. If your state needs more information, they will send you a letter. Do not trust Facebook posts about state refunds either.
What happens if someone hacked your refund
If you check your refund status and the tool shows a refund was sent to a bank account or address you do not recognize, your return may have been filed fraudulently. This is rare but does happen. Contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your return was compromised. They can freeze your account and issue a new refund to the correct address.
You should also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC tracks identity theft cases and can help you understand what happened and what to do next. Keep a copy of your police report or FTC report in case you need it later.
If a scammer filed a return in your name and got a refund before you filed your real return, you will not be able to file until the IRS resolves the fraudulent return. This can take several months. The IRS will contact you by mail with instructions on how to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund status on my phone?
Yes. Go to irs.gov on your phone's web browser and use the Where's My Refund tool the same way you would on a computer. The IRS also has a mobile app called IRS2Go that includes refund tracking. Do not use any other app that claims to track your refund — only the official IRS app is safe.
What if I filed my return but the tool says it was not received?
Wait at least three weeks if you mailed a paper return — the mail takes time to reach the IRS. If you filed electronically, wait 24 hours. If the tool still does not show your return after that, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and filing status. They can tell you whether the return arrived.
Does the IRS have a Facebook page where I can ask about my refund?
The IRS has an official Facebook page, but they do not answer questions about individual refunds there. They use it to post general tax information and announcements. Do not send them a private message asking about your refund — use the Where's My Refund tool instead or call 1-800-829-1040.
What if I see a Facebook ad that says it can speed up my refund?
It is a scam. No company, service, or tool can speed up your IRS refund. The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive them, and there is no way to jump the line. Report the ad to Facebook and do not click it.
How do I know if a website is really irs.gov?
Look at the web address in your browser. It should say "irs.gov" — not "irs-refund.com" or "irsgov.net" or anything else. Scammers buy domain names that look similar to the real IRS website. If you are not sure, type irs.gov directly into your browser instead of clicking a link from an email or social media post.