Where to check your 2020 refund status

The IRS has a tool called "Where's My Refund?" that tells you the status of your 2020 tax return and refund. You reach it through the IRS website at irs.gov. The tool shows you three things: whether the IRS has received your return, whether they have processed it, and the date your refund will arrive if it has been approved.

You can also call the IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954. A representative can look up your refund status over the phone. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone. Wait times are often long, especially during tax season (January through April), so the online tool is usually faster.

A third option is to check your refund through tax software you may have used to file — TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, and others often show refund status in your account. This works only if you filed through that software and created an account with them.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on irs.gov is the fastest way to check your 2020 refund status without waiting on hold.
  • You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your 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 your return was filed more than 21 days ago and the tool shows no status, contact the IRS by phone or mail to find out why.

What information you need to check your status

To use "Where's My Refund?" you need three pieces of information from your 2020 tax return: your Social Security number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount. The refund amount is the number from line 33 (for Form 1040) or line 15 (for Form 1040-SR if you are 65 or older). This is the total amount the IRS owes you, not the amount of any tax you paid during the year.

If you do not have your return in front of you, you can find this information on the confirmation email or letter the IRS sent you when they received your return. If you filed through a tax software company, log into your account and look for the return summary or confirmation page — it will show the refund amount there.

How long the IRS takes to process 2020 returns

The IRS says it takes 21 days to process most returns after they receive them. However, 2020 returns are now several years old, and most have already been processed. If you filed your 2020 return in 2020 or 2021 and have not received your refund, something has delayed it — either an error on the return, a mismatch between your return and IRS records, or a hold placed on the refund.

If "Where's My Refund?" shows no status information for a return you filed more than 21 days ago, the return may not have reached the IRS yet, or there may be a problem with it. The next step is to contact the IRS directly by phone or to request a transcript of your account, which shows what the IRS has on file for you.

Why your 2020 refund might be delayed

The most common reasons a 2020 refund has not arrived are a mismatch between your return and IRS records, an error on the return itself, or a hold placed by another government agency. A mismatch might happen if your name, Social Security number, or income does not match what the IRS has from your employer or bank. An error on the return could be a typo in your address, an incorrect bank account number for direct deposit, or a math mistake.

Some refunds are held because you owe money to another agency — a state tax authority, a student loan servicer, or a child support enforcement office. The IRS can intercept your federal refund to pay these debts. If this has happened, the IRS will send you a notice explaining it.

If your return was amended (you filed a Form 1040-X to correct it), processing takes longer — usually 16 weeks from the date the IRS receives the amended return. If you amended your 2020 return, "Where's My Refund?" may not show status, and you will need to contact the IRS to find out where it stands.

What to do if the tool shows no status

If you filed your 2020 return more than 21 days ago and "Where's My Refund?" shows no information, or if it shows a status that has not changed in several weeks, contact the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1054 (this is the general IRS number, different from the refund hotline). Have your Social Security number and return ready.

You can also request a transcript of your account, which shows exactly what the IRS has recorded for your 2020 return. You can order a transcript online at irs.gov/transcripts, by phone at 1-800-908-9946, or by mail using Form 4506-C. The online option is fastest — you receive it within 24 hours. The transcript will show whether the IRS received your return, whether it was processed, and whether any holds or issues are flagged on your account.

Direct deposit versus mailed check

If you chose direct deposit on your 2020 return, the IRS deposits your refund into the bank account you listed. If you chose a mailed check, the IRS mails it to the address on your return. Once "Where's My Refund?" shows your refund has been approved, a direct deposit usually arrives within one to two business days. A mailed check takes longer — typically one to three weeks depending on mail delivery in your area.

If you provided an incorrect bank account number for direct deposit, the IRS will mail a check instead. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining this. If your address on the return was wrong, the check may be returned to the IRS as undeliverable. In that case, you will need to contact the IRS to have the check reissued to your correct address.

If you never filed a 2020 return

If you did not file a 2020 tax return and believe you are owed a refund, you can still file one. There is no important date to file a return if the IRS owes you money — you can file a 2020 return today, years later, and still receive any refund you are owed. However, you cannot receive a refund for a year you did not file a return unless you actually file that return.

To file a 2020 return now, you will need your W-2 forms (if you worked as an employee) or 1099 forms (if you had other income), and records of any tax payments you made. If you cannot find these documents, you can request them from your employer or the IRS. Once you file, the same process applies — use "Where's My Refund?" to track your refund status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status without my exact refund amount?

No, the IRS tool requires the exact refund amount from your return to prevent fraud. If you do not have this number, check your return confirmation email, your tax software account, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1054 and they can tell you the amount.

What does "still being processed" mean on the Where's My Refund tool?

It means the IRS has received your return but has not finished reviewing it. For a 2020 return, this usually indicates a problem — either an error on the return, a mismatch with IRS records, or a hold. Contact the IRS if the status has not changed in more than 30 days.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS?

No. Calling the IRS does not speed up processing. The only way to move a refund along is to fix any errors on the return or resolve any holds. The IRS representative can tell you what the problem is, but they cannot bypass the normal processing timeline.

What if I moved since I filed my 2020 return?

If you chose direct deposit, your refund goes to the bank account you listed, regardless of where you live now. If you chose a mailed check and have moved, the check may be returned to the IRS as undeliverable. Contact the IRS with your new address so they can reissue the check to the correct location.

Is there a time limit for claiming a 2020 refund?

You have three years from the original filing important date (April 15, 2021 for 2020 returns) to claim a refund. After that, the money goes to the U.S. Treasury. If your 2020 refund was never issued, you should contact the IRS when ready to find out why.