How to Track an Amended Tax Return and When Your Refund Will Arrive

Where to check the status of an amended return

The IRS has a tool called Where's My Amended Return? that tracks Form 1040-X (the amended return form) after you file it. You reach it through IRS.gov, not through the regular "Where's My Refund?" tool — they are separate systems because amended returns follow a different processing path than original returns.

To use it, you need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount you expect from the amended return. The tool shows you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, or has completed it. If you filed by mail, the tool will not show anything until the IRS physically receives and scans your return, which can take two to four weeks after you mail it.

You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative who can look up your amended return by Social Security number and filing status. Wait times are typically shorter early in the week and before 10 a.m.

Key Takeaways

Amended returns are processed separately from original returns and take longer — typically 8 to 12 weeks from the date the IRS receives them, not from the date you mailed them.
Where's My Amended Return? is a different tool from Where's My Refund? and only works after the IRS has scanned your Form 1040-X into their system.
If you filed by mail, allow two to four weeks for the IRS to receive and scan your return before the tracking tool will show any information.
The IRS will not issue a refund on an amended return until it has finished processing the entire return, even if only one line item changed.

How long amended returns actually take

An amended return takes longer than an original return because the IRS has to compare it to your original filing, verify the changes, and recalculate your tax liability. The standard processing time is 8 to 12 weeks from the date the IRS receives your return, not from the date you mailed it.

If you filed electronically, the IRS typically receives it within one to two business days. If you mailed it, add two to four weeks for postal delivery and IRS scanning before processing begins. This means a mailed amended return can take 10 to 16 weeks total from the date you put it in the mail.

The IRS does not issue partial refunds on amended returns. If you are owed money, you will receive the entire refund amount once processing is complete. If you owe additional tax, the IRS will send you a bill with payment instructions.

What to do if the tracking tool shows no information

If you filed your amended return more than two weeks ago (or four weeks if you mailed it) and Where's My Amended Return? still shows nothing, the IRS may not have received it yet. Check your mailing address if you sent it by mail — the address for amended returns is different from the address for original returns and depends on your state.

Call 1-800-829-1040 to confirm the IRS has your return. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the date you mailed or filed it ready. The representative can tell you whether the return is in the system, when it arrived, and approximately when processing will be complete.

If you filed electronically through a tax software or tax preparer, contact them to confirm the return was actually transmitted to the IRS. Some software shows a "submitted" status but the return may not have been sent if there was a connection error or if you did not complete the final step.

Amended returns and direct deposit

If your original return was set up for direct deposit, your amended return refund will go to the same bank account unless you filed a new direct deposit instruction with Form 1040-X. The IRS will not change your deposit account based on information in a letter or phone call.

If your bank account is no longer active or you want to change where the refund goes, you must file another amended return with updated direct deposit information. This restarts the 8 to 12 week clock. For this reason, most people wait to see if the first amended return processes before making changes.

If the refund is deposited to a closed account, the bank will reject it and it will return to the IRS. The IRS will then mail you a check, which can add another two to three weeks. You can call 1-800-829-1040 to request a check instead of waiting for the rejected deposit to be returned and reprocessed.

If you amended to claim a refundable credit

Some people file amended returns to claim refundable credits they missed on the original return — the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit are the most common. These credits can result in a refund even if you paid no tax or had no tax withheld.

The IRS processes these returns the same way as any other amended return: 8 to 12 weeks from receipt. However, the IRS sometimes holds refunds on amended returns that claim refundable credits for additional verification, which can extend the timeline by another two to four weeks. This is not a delay — it is part of their standard review process for these credits.

You will see a status update in Where's My Amended Return? if the IRS is holding your return for review. The tool will show "processing" or "under review" rather than a completion date. Do not contact the IRS during this period unless more than 16 weeks have passed since they received your return.

What happens if the IRS denies part of your amended return

The IRS can accept part of your amended return and reject part of it. For example, if you amended to claim an additional deduction and also claimed a credit you were not may have access to to, the IRS might allow the deduction but disallow the credit. In that case, your refund will be smaller than you expected.

The IRS will send you a notice explaining what was accepted and what was rejected. This notice includes the reason for the rejection and instructions for appealing if you disagree. You have the right to file another amended return or to request an appeals conference, but you must act within the timeframe stated in the notice.

If you owe money as a result of the rejection, the IRS will include payment instructions in the notice. If you are still owed a refund, the IRS will issue it once the notice period closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my amended return status on my phone?

Yes. The IRS website and Where's My Amended Return? tool work on mobile browsers. You can also call 1-800-829-1040 from any phone. Text-based status updates are not available, but you can check the tool as often as you want — checking does not slow down processing.

What if I filed an amended return and then realized I made another mistake?

You can file another amended return. Each amended return restarts the processing timeline. If possible, wait until the first amended return is processed before filing a second one, because the IRS may reject the second one if it conflicts with a return still being reviewed.

Will the IRS contact me if something is wrong with my amended return?

The IRS will contact you by mail if it needs more information or if there is a problem with your return. It does not call or email about amended returns. If you receive a call claiming to be from the IRS about your amended return, it is a scam.

Can I amend a return that is still being processed?

You can file an amended return at any time, but if your original return is still being processed, the IRS may reject the amended return or hold it until the original is complete. It is usually better to wait until the original return is finished before amending.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.