Check your refund status with the IRS Where's My Refund tool

The IRS Where's My Refund tool is the fastest way to find out where your federal refund is. Go to irs.gov, click "Where's My Refund" under the Tools section, and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

The tool will show you one of three statuses: your return is being processed, your refund has been approved and is on its way, or there is a problem that needs your attention. If the tool says your refund is approved, it will also tell you the exact deposit date — this is the date money will hit your bank account or arrive by mail, depending on how you chose to receive it.

You can check the status as many times as you want. Checking more often will not speed up your refund, but it will not delay it either. If you filed your return electronically and chose direct deposit, the IRS typically processes refunds within 21 days of receiving your return.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov is the official source for your refund status and will show you the exact deposit date once your refund is approved.
  • Electronically filed returns with direct deposit usually arrive within 21 days, but complex returns or those with errors can take longer.
  • If you filed by mail or chose a paper check, your refund will take longer — typically four to six weeks from the date the IRS receives your return.
  • New York State has its own refund system separate from the federal system; you will need to check both if you filed a state return.
  • If the Where's My Refund tool shows a problem or if your refund does not arrive by the promised date, contact the IRS directly or visit a local Taxpayer Assistance Center.

What the refund status messages mean

"Return Received" means the IRS has your return but has not started processing it yet. This is normal and happens for the first few days after filing. You will see this message even if you filed weeks ago if your return is in a queue waiting to be reviewed.

"Approved" means the IRS has processed your return, found no problems, and your refund is being prepared for payment. Once you see this status, the tool will show you the exact date your money will arrive. This is the most reliable date the IRS provides.

"Sent" means your refund has left the IRS and is on its way to you. If you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive within one to two business days. If you chose a paper check, it is in the mail and should arrive within seven to ten business days, though mail delivery times vary.

If the tool shows "Still Being Processed" after 21 days, your return may have a problem — a missing signature, a math error, or a mismatch between your return and IRS records. The IRS will mail you a notice if this happens. Do not wait for the notice; call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to find out what is holding up your refund.

How long federal refunds actually take in New York

The timeline depends on how you filed and how you want your money. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the IRS aims to send your refund within 21 days. Most New York filers see their money within this window, but some take longer.

If you filed by mail, add two to three weeks to that timeline. The IRS has to receive your return first, which takes time through the postal system, and then process it. A mailed return typically takes four to six weeks from the date you mailed it, not from the date the IRS receives it.

If you chose a paper check instead of direct deposit, the IRS will mail it to you after processing your return. A check takes an additional seven to ten business days to arrive by mail, though this varies by location and mail volume. During tax season, mail can be slower.

Complex returns — those with business income, rental property, or amended returns — take longer. The IRS may need to review these by hand, which can add two to four weeks. If you filed an amended return (Form 1040-X), expect 16 weeks or longer.

What to do if your refund is late

If the Where's My Refund tool shows an approved date that has passed and the money has not arrived, first check your bank account carefully — sometimes deposits post under a different name or to a linked account you forgot about. Wait two business days after the promised date before assuming something is wrong; bank processing delays happen.

If two business days have passed and you still do not see the money, call 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 refund was actually sent and, if so, whether it went to the right bank account.

If you chose direct deposit but the money never arrived, the IRS may have sent it to an old bank account — this happens when you use a bank routing number from a previous year. Ask your current bank to search for the deposit under your name and Social Security number. If the bank finds it, they can sometimes retrieve it. If not, the IRS will reissue your refund as a paper check, which takes another four to six weeks.

If the Where's My Refund tool shows "Still Being Processed" or "We received your return but cannot process it right now," the IRS is holding your return for review. This usually means they need to verify something — income, dependents, or a discrepancy with prior-year returns. The IRS will mail you a notice explaining what they need. Respond to that notice as quickly as you can; delays in responding can add weeks to your refund timeline.

Separating federal and New York State refunds

New York State processes its own tax refunds on a separate schedule from the federal government. You may receive your federal refund before your state refund, or vice versa. Do not assume your state refund is lost just because your federal refund arrived.

To check your New York State refund status, go to tax.ny.gov and use the "Where's My Refund" tool there. You will need your Social Security number and the refund amount. New York typically processes state refunds within 30 days of receiving your return if you filed electronically, or within six to eight weeks if you filed by mail.

If you filed both federal and state returns at the same time, your federal refund will likely arrive first — the IRS processes faster than New York. If you filed your state return late or amended it, your state refund will take longer.

When to contact the IRS directly

Contact the IRS if the Where's My Refund tool shows a problem, if your refund is more than 21 days late for an electronic return or more than six weeks late for a mailed return, or if you received a notice from the IRS about your return. Call 1-800-829-1040 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are long during tax season, so call early in the morning or late in the week if you can.

You can also visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center in person. New York has centers in New York City, Buffalo, and other locations. Find the nearest one at irs.gov under "Contact Us." Bring your Social Security card, a photo ID, and a copy of your tax return if you have one.

If you need help reading a notice from the IRS or understanding what went wrong with your return, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free help. Call 211 or visit irs.gov to find a VITA site near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I speed up my federal refund?

No. The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive them, and there is no way to jump the queue. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the fastest method available, but you cannot make the IRS process your return faster than 21 days. Calling repeatedly or visiting an IRS office will not speed things up.

What if the Where's My Refund tool says nothing — no status at all?

This usually means the IRS has not received your return yet or has not entered it into their system. If you filed electronically, wait 24 hours and check again. If you mailed your return, wait at least two weeks before checking. If more than two weeks have passed since you mailed it, call the IRS to confirm they received it.

Will my refund go to the same bank account I used last year?

Only if you entered the same routing and account numbers on this year's return. If you changed banks or closed an account, you must update your banking information on your current return. If you used an old account number by mistake, the IRS will reissue your refund as a paper check.

Do I have to file a New York State return if I only earned federal income?

That depends on your income level and filing status. New York has its own income thresholds. Check the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website or call 1-800-972-1233 to find out whether you need to file. If you do file, you will have two separate refunds to track.

What if I owe taxes instead of getting a refund?

The Where's My Refund tool will show that you owe money instead of receiving a refund. You can pay the IRS online at irs.gov, by phone, by mail, or through an installment plan if you cannot pay in full. The IRS also accepts payment through third-party payment processors, though they charge a fee.