The IRS Get My Payment tool shows you whether a payment was sent, when it was sent, and where it went

The IRS Get My Payment tool is a free online tracker that tells you the status of any payment the IRS has issued to you. For 2025, this includes tax refunds, advance child tax credit payments, and other direct payments from the federal government. You enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address, and the tool returns the payment date, amount, and delivery method — direct deposit, check, or debit card.

The tool does not tell you whether you are owed a payment or calculate what you should receive. It only shows payments the IRS has already processed and sent. If you have not filed your 2024 tax return yet, Get My Payment will not show a refund, because the IRS has not processed your return.

You can access Get My Payment at irs.gov/payments. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The tool works on phones, tablets, and computers. You do not need to create an account or log in with an IRS username.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment shows the status of payments already sent by the IRS, including the date, amount, and how the money was delivered.
  • The tool requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and current street address to look up your payment.
  • If your refund status shows "still processing," the IRS is still reviewing your return and has not yet sent payment.
  • A payment sent by direct deposit usually arrives within one to two business days; a check takes seven to ten business days.
  • If Get My Payment shows a payment was sent but you never received it, contact the IRS or your bank to investigate.

What information you need to use Get My Payment

Before you go to the tool, gather three pieces of information: your Social Security number, your date of birth, and the street address on file with the IRS. The street address must match the one on your most recent tax return or the one you used when you filed. If you moved and updated your address with the IRS after filing, use the new address. If you have not updated it, use the address from your return.

The tool does not accept P.O. boxes or apartment numbers alone — it needs the full street address as it appears in IRS records. If you are unsure which address the IRS has on file, check your most recent tax return or the address on any IRS letter you received in 2024 or 2025.

How to read your payment status

When you enter your information, Get My Payment returns one of several statuses. "Payment sent" means the IRS has processed your return and issued your refund. The tool will show the date the payment left the IRS, the amount, and the method — direct deposit, check, or debit card. If you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive in one to two business days. If the IRS sent a check, allow seven to ten business days from the date shown.

"Still processing" means the IRS is still reviewing your return and has not yet issued a payment. This status can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on whether your return requires additional review. The tool will not show a refund amount until processing is complete. Check back in a few days, or wait for the IRS to mail you a notice.

"Refund offset" means the IRS applied your refund to pay a debt — usually back taxes, student loans, or child support. The tool will show the amount offset and the reason. You will receive a notice in the mail with details about where the money went.

What to do if your payment was sent by direct deposit but you did not receive it

If Get My Payment shows a direct deposit was sent but the money never arrived in your bank account, contact your bank first. Ask them to confirm they received the deposit from the IRS. Provide the date shown in Get My Payment. Banks sometimes hold deposits for a day or two, or the money may have gone to a closed account or an account you no longer use.

If your bank confirms they did not receive the deposit, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, the payment date from Get My Payment, and the amount ready. The IRS can investigate whether the deposit was sent to the wrong account or if there was an error on their end. They may issue a replacement check or reissue the direct deposit.

What to do if your payment was sent by check but you did not receive it

Checks sent by the IRS can be lost or delayed in the mail. If Get My Payment shows a check was sent more than ten business days ago and you have not received it, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. Provide the payment date, amount, and your address. The IRS can verify whether the check was mailed and, if necessary, issue a replacement.

Do not cash a replacement check if the original arrives later. If both checks arrive, you must return one to the IRS. The IRS will provide instructions on how to return it.

Why Get My Payment might not show your payment

If you have not filed your 2024 tax return, Get My Payment will not show a refund. The IRS processes returns in the order they are received, and refunds are only issued after a return is processed. If you filed late or your return requires additional review, processing takes longer.

If you filed but Get My Payment shows no payment and no "still processing" status, your return may have an error or missing information. Check any notices the IRS mailed you. If you received a notice asking for more information, respond to it as soon as possible. If you did not receive a notice and Get My Payment shows nothing, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to ask about your return status.

Get My Payment also does not show payments issued before 2020. If you are looking for an older refund, contact the IRS directly.

How often to check Get My Payment

The IRS updates Get My Payment once per day, usually overnight. Checking multiple times in the same day will not show new information. If your status is "still processing," check back every few days rather than every few hours.

During tax season (January through April), the IRS processes millions of returns and refunds can take longer than usual. If your status has not changed in more than 21 days, contact the IRS to ask whether your return requires additional review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Get My Payment to check on a payment for someone else?

No. Get My Payment requires the Social Security number and date of birth of the person receiving the payment. You can only look up your own payment status. If you are a parent checking on a dependent's payment or a tax preparer checking on a client's status, you will need their permission and their personal information.

What if Get My Payment says my payment was sent but I do not recognize the bank account?

Contact the IRS immediately at 800-829-1040. Provide the account information shown in Get My Payment. This could indicate fraud or an error in your return. The IRS can investigate and, if necessary, cancel the payment and reissue it to the correct account.

Does Get My Payment work for state tax refunds?

No. Get My Payment is a federal IRS tool and only shows federal payments. To check your state tax refund, visit your state's tax agency website. Most states have their own refund tracking tools.

What if I filed my return but Get My Payment says it has no record of me?

This usually means the IRS has not yet processed your return. Returns are processed in the order they are received, and processing can take several weeks. If you filed more than 21 days ago and Get My Payment still shows no record, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm they received your return.

Can I change my direct deposit information after I file but before my refund is sent?

Not through Get My Payment. If you need to change your bank account before your refund is sent, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 as soon as possible. If your refund has already been sent, you cannot stop it, but you can ask the IRS to reissue it to a different account if the original deposit fails.