What the IRS Get My Payment tool does

The IRS Get My Payment tool is a free online tracker that shows you the status of a tax refund or payment the IRS has sent to you. You enter basic information about yourself and your tax return, and the tool tells you whether the IRS has processed your payment, when it was sent, and how it was delivered — by mail, direct deposit, or debit card.

The tool works for federal tax refunds, Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks from 2020 and 2021), and certain other payments the IRS sends. It does not process new payments or let you change how a payment is delivered once the IRS has already issued it.

You can access Get My Payment on the IRS website at irs.gov. The tool is available 24 hours a day, and you do not need to create an account or log in with a password.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment shows the status of refunds and payments the IRS has already sent, but cannot change how or when a payment is delivered.
  • You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status from your tax return to use the tool.
  • The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day will show the same information.
  • If Get My Payment says your payment was mailed, allow 7 to 10 business days for it to arrive by postal mail.
  • If the tool shows no record of a payment, contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 or check your account on IRS.gov after creating a login.

What information you need to use the tool

To look up your payment status, have the following ready before you start:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your date of birth
  • Your filing status from your most recent tax return (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow/widower)
  • The expected refund amount or payment amount, if you know it

The tool asks for your filing status and date of birth to verify your identity without requiring a login. If you do not remember the exact refund amount, you can often find it on your tax return, in your email confirmation from filing, or in your tax software account.

How to use Get My Payment step by step

Go to irs.gov and search for "Get My Payment" or navigate directly to the tool. The IRS homepage usually links to it prominently during tax season.

Enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status in the fields provided. Double-check that you have typed your Social Security number correctly, since an error will prevent the tool from finding your record.

Select the type of payment you are tracking — usually "refund" for a tax refund or "economic impact payment" if you are looking for a stimulus check. If you are unsure, start with refund.

Click the button to search. The tool will display your payment status within seconds. If your information does not match a record in the IRS system, the tool will tell you that no payment information is available.

Understanding the payment status messages

Status: Refund Approved means the IRS has processed your return and approved your refund, but has not yet sent it. This is the earliest stage. You will see this status for a few days to a few weeks before the payment ships.

Status: Refund Sent means the IRS has issued your payment and it is on its way to you. The tool will show the date it was sent and the method — direct deposit to your bank account, mailed check, or loaded onto a debit card. If direct deposit was used, the money should arrive within one to three business days. If mailed, allow 7 to 10 business days.

Status: Refund Received appears after your bank or the postal service has confirmed delivery. If you chose direct deposit, this means the funds are in your account. If you chose a mailed check, this means the IRS has confirmation that the check was delivered.

No information available means the IRS has no record of a payment matching the information you entered. This can happen if your return has not been processed yet, if you entered incorrect information, or if there is a problem with your return that requires IRS review.

What to do if your payment status does not update

The Get My Payment tool updates once per day, usually between midnight and 1 a.m. Eastern Time. If you check the tool multiple times in the same day, you will see the same status. Checking again in a few hours will not produce new information.

If your status has not changed in more than a week, or if the tool shows no record of your payment, contact the IRS directly. Call 800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the amount you expected to receive ready when you call.

You can also create a login on IRS.gov and view your account transcript, which shows the IRS's record of your return and any payments sent. This is often faster than calling and gives you a permanent record of what the IRS processed.

When Get My Payment will not show your payment

Get My Payment only tracks payments the IRS has already issued. If your tax return is still being processed, the tool will show no information. Processing times vary, but the IRS typically processes returns within 21 days of receiving them. During tax season, some returns take longer.

If you filed by mail instead of electronically, your return may take 4 to 6 weeks to reach the IRS and begin processing. Get My Payment will not show any status until the IRS has received and begun working on your return.

The tool also does not show payments for prior-year returns or amended returns that were filed years ago. If you are looking for a very old refund, contact the IRS directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Get My Payment to change my refund to a different bank account?

No. Once the IRS has issued a payment, you cannot change where it goes. If you entered the wrong bank account on your return and the IRS has already sent the refund, you will need to contact your bank or wait for a mailed check. If your return has not been processed yet, you can file an amended return with the correct account information, but this delays your refund.

Why does Get My Payment say my refund was sent but I have not received it?

Direct deposits typically arrive within one to three business days after the IRS sends them, though some banks take longer. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days. If you have waited longer than that, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm the payment method and address the IRS used. If a check was lost in the mail, the IRS can issue a replacement.

Do I need to log in to use Get My Payment?

No. Get My Payment is a free tool that does not require a login or account. You only need your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. If you want to see more detailed information about your return, you can create a login on IRS.gov and view your account transcript.

What if Get My Payment says no information is available?

This usually means your return has not been processed yet, or the information you entered does not match the IRS's records. Double-check that your Social Security number and filing status are correct. If they are, wait a few days and try again. If the problem continues, call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Can I use Get My Payment to track a payment I sent to the IRS?

No. Get My Payment only tracks payments the IRS sends to you, not payments you send to the IRS. If you made a tax payment by mail or online, you can check the status through your bank or the payment processor you used.