Check your refund status through the IRS website or phone line

The IRS offers two main ways to find out where your refund is: the Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov and the automated phone line at 1-800-829-1954. Both use the same information to track your refund in real time. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return.

The Where's My Refund tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you filed electronically, your refund typically appears in the system within 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, it takes longer — the IRS must receive it, open it, and enter your information before tracking begins. Paper returns can take three to six weeks before they show up in the system at all.

The phone line works the same way but is slower if you are calling during tax season. You will be asked to enter your information using your keypad, and the automated system will tell you the status. Both methods show the same four statuses: received, approved, sent to your bank, and deposited.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the Where's My Refund tool at IRS.gov or call 1-800-829-1954 with your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
  • Electronic returns show up in the tracking system within 24 hours; paper returns take three to six weeks before they appear at all.
  • The system updates once per day and shows four statuses: received, approved, sent to your bank, and deposited.
  • If your refund was sent by mail, it can take two to three weeks after the IRS approves it to arrive in your mailbox.
  • If the system says your refund was sent but you have not received it after 21 days, contact the IRS or your bank.

What each refund status means

Received means the IRS has your return but has not started processing it yet. For electronic returns, this status usually lasts less than 24 hours. For paper returns, it can last several weeks while the IRS scans and enters your information.

Approved means the IRS has reviewed your return, found no problems, and calculated your refund amount. This is the stage where the IRS decides whether to send your money by direct deposit or by check. Most refunds are approved within 21 days of filing electronically, though some take longer if the return needs manual review.

Sent to your bank means the IRS has sent your refund by direct deposit. If you provided banking information on your return, this is the status you will see. Direct deposits usually land in your account within one to two business days after this status appears, though some banks take longer.

Deposited means your refund has arrived in your bank account. This is the final status. If you chose to receive a check instead of direct deposit, you will not see this status — instead, the system will tell you the check was mailed and give you an expected arrival date.

How long refunds take at each stage

The timeline depends on how you filed and whether the IRS needs to review your return more closely. Most people who file electronically and claim no complicated deductions receive their refund within 21 days. The IRS publishes this as their standard, though many refunds arrive faster.

If you filed a paper return, add three to six weeks before your return even enters the system. Once it does, the approval stage takes the same amount of time as an electronic return. Paper returns are slower because the IRS must physically receive, open, and scan them.

If your return is flagged for review — because of math errors, missing information, or certain deductions — the timeline stretches. The IRS will contact you by mail if this happens. These reviews can add weeks or months. The Where's My Refund tool will not show a specific reason, but the IRS will explain it in the letter they send.

Once your refund is sent to your bank, direct deposit usually takes one to two business days. Checks take longer — the IRS estimates five to seven business days for mail delivery, though it varies by location and postal service speed.

What to do if your refund is delayed

Check the Where's My Refund tool first. If it shows your refund was sent to your bank but you have not received it after two business days, contact your bank's customer service line. The money may have been sent to an old account if you changed banks since you filed, or there may be a hold on your account.

If the tool shows your refund was mailed as a check but you have not received it after 21 days, you can request a trace through the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1954 and ask for a check trace. The IRS will investigate whether the check was lost in the mail. This process takes about four weeks. If the check is found to be lost, the IRS will issue a replacement.

If your return has been in "received" status for more than six weeks (for electronic returns) or more than three months (for paper returns), contact the IRS. This suggests your return may be stuck in the system. Call 1-800-829-1954 or visit a local IRS office. Bring a copy of your return and your Social Security card.

If you see an error in the Where's My Refund tool — for example, it shows a refund amount that does not match what you calculated — do not contact the IRS immediately. Wait for the approval status to appear. The IRS often recalculates refunds during processing if you made a math error or claimed something incorrectly. If the amount is still wrong after approval, then contact the IRS to ask why.

Direct deposit versus check refunds

When you file your tax return, you choose how to receive your refund. Direct deposit is faster and more secure. The IRS sends your money straight to your bank account, and it usually arrives within one to two business days after the IRS approves your return. You provide your bank account number and routing number on your return.

A check takes longer but requires no bank account. The IRS mails a physical check to the address on your return. After the IRS approves your refund, it takes five to seven business days for the check to arrive, though this varies by location. Once you receive it, you must deposit it yourself, which adds another few days before the money is in your account.

If you provided direct deposit information but the IRS could not process it — for example, if you entered the wrong routing number — the IRS will mail a check instead. The Where's My Refund tool will tell you this has happened. You will receive the check at the address on your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Where's My Refund tool say my refund was sent but I have not received it?

If it shows direct deposit, wait one to two more business days — the money is on its way to your bank. If it has been longer than that, contact your bank to check if the deposit arrived but is on hold. If it shows a check was mailed, wait five to seven business days. If you have waited longer, request a check trace by calling 1-800-829-1954.

Can I change my refund to direct deposit after I file?

No. Once you file your return, you cannot change how the IRS sends your refund. If you filed for a check but want direct deposit instead, you must wait for the check to arrive, deposit it yourself, and then request a refund adjustment through the IRS — a process that takes much longer. Choose your method carefully before you file.

What if I entered the wrong bank account number on my return?

Contact your bank immediately and tell them the IRS may send a direct deposit to the wrong account. Your bank can sometimes intercept it. If the money goes to the wrong account, the IRS will eventually mail a check to your address instead, but this takes time. The sooner you notify your bank, the better your chances of stopping the deposit.

How do I know if the IRS is reviewing my return?

The Where's My Refund tool will show "approved" or "sent to your bank" if everything is fine. If the IRS is reviewing your return, it will stay in "received" or "approved" status longer than usual. The IRS will send you a letter by mail if they need more information or find a problem. Do not wait for the letter — if your status has not changed in more than 21 days, call 1-800-829-1954 to ask.

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparer or software company?

No. The IRS processes all returns at the same speed regardless of who prepared them. Some tax software companies offer "rapid refund" loans, but these are loans you repay, not actual refunds. The IRS refund itself takes the same amount of time whether you file yourself or hire someone.