The IRS Get My Payment tool shows you where a tax refund or payment is in the system

The IRS Get My Payment tool is a free tracker on IRS.gov that tells you the status of a federal tax refund or an estimated tax payment you sent to the IRS. It does not work for state refunds, child tax credit payments, or economic impact payments. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will show the same information.

To use it, you go to IRS.gov, find the Get My Payment section, and enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. The tool then tells you whether the IRS has received your payment, is processing it, or has issued it. If a refund has been issued, it shows the expected deposit date or the date it was mailed as a check.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment is located on IRS.gov and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status to check status.
  • The tool updates once per day and shows whether your refund or payment is received, processing, or issued.
  • If your refund has been issued, the tool displays the deposit date for direct deposit or the mailing date for a paper check.
  • The tool does not track state refunds, child tax credit payments, or economic impact payments — those require separate tracking.
  • If Get My Payment shows no record of your payment after 24 hours of submission, contact the IRS directly to verify it was received.

What information you need before you start

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready before you open Get My Payment. Filing status means the category you used on your tax return: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow(er).

If you are checking on a refund, the tool works best if you know roughly when you filed your return. The IRS processes returns in the order they are received, so a return filed in February will show progress before one filed in April. If you filed electronically, the IRS typically receives it within 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, allow two to three weeks for it to reach the IRS before checking the tool.

How to access Get My Payment on IRS.gov

Go to IRS.gov and search for "Get My Payment" in the search box at the top of the page. The link will take you to a page that says "Get My Payment Status." Click the button to begin. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. The IRS uses this information to pull up your account and show your payment status.

The tool is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, the IRS performs system maintenance on certain nights and weekends, during which the tool may be temporarily unavailable. If you see an error message saying the system is down, try again in a few hours.

What the status messages mean

Get My Payment shows one of three main statuses. "Refund received" means the IRS has your return and is processing it. "Refund approved" means the IRS has finished reviewing your return and approved your refund. "Refund issued" means the IRS has sent the money to your bank account or mailed a check. When a refund is issued, the tool shows the date you can expect to see it in your account (for direct deposit) or the date the check was mailed.

If the tool says "We cannot provide information about your payment status," it usually means one of three things: the IRS has not yet received your return, you entered your information incorrectly, or your return is still being processed and the tool has not been updated yet. Wait 24 hours and try again. If you filed electronically, the IRS should have your return within one business day. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least two weeks before checking again.

When a refund takes longer than expected

The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of receiving your return if you file electronically and choose direct deposit. However, some returns take longer. Returns with errors, missing information, or that claim certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit are reviewed more carefully and can take six to eight weeks or longer.

If Get My Payment shows your refund was issued but you have not received it after the date shown, 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 deposit failed or the check was lost in the mail and can reissue it if needed.

Payments you cannot track with Get My Payment

Get My Payment only tracks federal income tax refunds and estimated tax payments you sent to the IRS. It does not track state income tax refunds, which you must check through your state's tax agency website. It also does not track child tax credit payments, advance payments of the child tax credit, or economic impact payments (stimulus checks), which have their own tracking tools on IRS.gov.

If you are looking for a state refund, go to your state's Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation website and look for a refund status tool there. Each state runs its own system and has its own timeline for processing returns and issuing refunds.

What to do if Get My Payment shows an error

If the tool says "We cannot provide information about your payment status" after you have waited several days, double-check that you entered your information correctly. A common mistake is entering the wrong filing status or transposing a digit in your Social Security number. Try again with your information verified.

If you are certain your information is correct and the tool still shows no record of your return after two weeks (for electronic filing) or three weeks (for paper filing), contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You can also visit an IRS office in person, though wait times are often long. Have your return confirmation number ready if you filed electronically, or your mailed return receipt if you have one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does Get My Payment update?

Get My Payment updates once per day, usually overnight. Checking the tool multiple times in the same day will show the same status. If you checked yesterday and saw "processing," checking again today may show "approved" or "issued," but checking twice within the same day will not show new information.

Can I track my state tax refund with Get My Payment?

No. Get My Payment only tracks federal refunds and payments. To check your state refund, visit your state's Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation website. Each state has its own refund tracking tool and its own processing timeline.

What if Get My Payment says my refund was issued but I haven't received it?

If the tool shows your refund was issued and the deposit date has passed, wait three to five business days for direct deposit to clear. If you chose a paper check and the mailing date was more than two weeks ago, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it missing. The IRS can verify whether the check was cashed and reissue it if needed.

Do I need to create an account to use Get My Payment?

No. Get My Payment is a free tool that does not require you to create an account or log in. You only need to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status each time you use it.

Can I track a payment I made to the IRS with Get My Payment?

Yes, if you sent an estimated tax payment or a payment with your tax return. Get My Payment shows the status of payments the IRS has received. If you paid by credit card or electronic funds withdrawal, the payment usually appears in the tool within 24 hours of submission.