Where to check your refund status right now
The IRS has a tool called Where's My Refund? that tells you whether your refund has been processed, approved, or sent to your bank. You reach it through IRS.gov — go to the homepage, find "Refunds" in the top menu, and click "Where's My Refund?" You'll need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. It will show you one of three statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but hasn't processed it yet), "Approved" (they've approved your refund and it's being prepared to send), or "Sent" (your refund is on its way). When it says "Sent," it will also tell you the date the money left the IRS and which account it's going to.
If you filed by mail, the tool may not show your return for up to four weeks after you mailed it. If you filed electronically, it usually appears within 24 hours.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov is the official source and updates once daily with your refund's current status.
- A "Sent" status means your refund has left the IRS, but it may take three to five business days to reach your bank account.
- If you chose direct deposit, the money goes to the bank account you listed on your return; if you chose a check, it arrives by mail.
- The tool requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount, so have your return handy before you check.
- If the tool shows no record of your return after four weeks, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm they received it.
The difference between "Approved" and "Sent"
"Approved" means the IRS has finished reviewing your return, found no problems, and decided to send you the refund. At this point, the money is real — you're getting it. But it hasn't left the IRS yet. The IRS still needs to prepare the payment file, route it to your bank or the check printer, and send it out.
This step usually takes a few days to a week. "Sent" means the IRS has actually transmitted the payment. If you chose direct deposit, the money is now in transit to your bank's system. If you chose a check, it's been printed and mailed. From "Sent" to your account, allow three to five business days for direct deposit or seven to ten business days for a check to arrive by mail.
Why your refund might not show up yet
If Where's My Refund? shows "Return Received" but nothing else, the IRS is still processing. Standard processing takes 21 days from the date they receive your return. If you filed electronically, they usually receive it within 24 hours. If you mailed it, add one to two weeks for postal delivery before the 21-day clock starts.
Some returns take longer. The IRS may need to verify information on your return — for example, if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit, they often do extra checks. Returns with errors, missing information, or amounts that don't match what employers reported to the IRS also take longer. If your return needs review, Where's My Refund? will eventually show a message telling you so.
If it's been more than 21 days since you filed electronically, or more than six weeks since you mailed your return, and Where's My Refund? still shows nothing, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number and return ready.
What happens if your refund was sent but you haven't received it
If Where's My Refund? says "Sent" but the money hasn't hit your account after five business days, first check that you gave the IRS the correct bank account number and routing number. Look at the copy of your return you filed — the account and routing numbers are on it. If they're wrong, the bank that received the deposit will reject it, and the IRS will mail you a check instead, which takes another week or two.
Contact your bank and ask whether a deposit from the IRS has been rejected or returned. Your bank can see this in their system. If it was rejected, the IRS will automatically send a check to your mailing address. If the deposit went through but you don't see it, it may still be processing — some banks take an extra day or two to post large deposits.
If the deposit was rejected and you want the money faster than a check takes, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to reissue it to a different account. Have your correct account and routing numbers ready.
Refund timing for different filing methods
| Filing Method | When IRS Receives It | Processing Time | Time to Your Account (Direct Deposit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic filing | Usually within 24 hours | 21 days from receipt | 3–5 business days after "Sent" status |
| Paper return by mail | 1–2 weeks after you mail it | 21 days from receipt | 3–5 business days after "Sent" status |
| Paper return with check | 1–2 weeks after you mail it | 21 days from receipt | 7–10 business days after "Sent" status |
If the IRS says they sent your refund but you never got it
If Where's My Refund? shows "Sent" with a date from more than two weeks ago, and the money still hasn't arrived, the check may have been lost in the mail or the direct deposit may have failed without your bank notifying you. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them the refund was sent on the date shown in the tool but you haven't received it.
The IRS can issue a replacement check or reissue the refund to a different account. They'll ask you to wait 60 days from the "Sent" date before they'll do this — that's the standard time they allow for mail delivery. If it's been longer than 60 days, they can issue a replacement when ready. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund status on my phone?
Yes. The IRS Where's My Refund tool works on mobile browsers. Go to IRS.gov on your phone's browser, find the Refunds section, and click Where's My Refund? You'll need the same information: Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
What if I filed jointly with my spouse — whose Social Security number do I use?
Use either spouse's Social Security number. The tool will pull up the same return and show the same status. The refund amount shown is the total for both of you, not split by person.
Does Where's My Refund show if my refund was rejected by my bank?
No. The tool will show "Sent" even if your bank rejected the deposit. You have to contact your bank directly to find out whether the deposit was rejected. If it was, the IRS will automatically mail you a check.
How long does a refund check take to arrive by mail?
Once the IRS shows "Sent" status, allow seven to ten business days for a check to arrive. This depends on postal service speed in your area. If it's been longer than two weeks since the "Sent" date, contact the IRS to request a replacement.
Can I speed up my refund?
No. The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive them. Direct deposit is faster than a check (three to five days versus seven to ten), but you can't jump the processing queue. If your return needs review, it will take longer regardless of how you want the money.