How to Check the Status of Your Amended Tax Refund

Where to check your amended return status

The IRS has one main tool for checking an amended return: the IRS Where's My Amended Return tracker, found at irs.gov. This tool tells you whether the IRS has received your Form 1040-X (the amended return form) and what stage it is in. You can check it roughly four weeks after you mailed or e-filed your amended return.

You will need your Social Security number, filing status from the amended return, and the exact refund amount you claimed on that return. The tracker shows you one of four statuses: received, being processed, processed with a refund issued, or processed with no refund due.

If you e-filed your amended return through tax software or a tax professional, you may also receive updates by email. Check your email inbox and spam folder for messages from the IRS or your tax software provider.

Key Takeaways

The IRS Where's My Amended Return tool at irs.gov is the official way to track your Form 1040-X, and you can check it about four weeks after filing.
You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your amended return to use the tracker.
Processing time for amended returns is typically 16 weeks from the date the IRS receives them, though some take longer.
If the tracker shows no record after six weeks, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm they received your return.
A refund from an amended return may arrive as a check or direct deposit to the same account you used on the original return, unless you changed your banking information on the amended form.

What each status message means

Received: The IRS has your amended return but has not started processing it yet. This is normal and expected. You will see this status for the first few weeks.

Being processed: The IRS is reviewing your amended return. This stage can last several weeks. The tracker will not tell you which specific part is being reviewed or whether the IRS has questions.

Processed with a refund issued: The IRS has finished reviewing your amended return and approved your refund. The tracker will show the refund amount and the date it was issued. If you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive within a few business days of that date. If you chose a check, allow 7 to 10 business days from the issue date.

Processed with no refund due: The IRS has finished reviewing your amended return and determined that you do not owe a refund. This can happen if the changes you made reduced your refund, eliminated it, or created a balance you owe instead.

How long amended returns take to process

The IRS typically takes 16 weeks to process an amended return from the date they receive it. Some returns take longer, especially if the IRS needs to verify information or if there are errors on the form.

Paper returns take longer than e-filed returns. A paper Form 1040-X usually takes longer to reach the IRS in the first place, and then longer to be scanned and entered into the system. E-filed amended returns begin processing almost when ready.

The time can also stretch if you amended a return that was already under review or if your amended return contains errors. The IRS will not contact you to ask you to fix small mistakes on an amended return the way they might on an original return — they will straightforward process it as submitted.

What to do if the tracker shows no record

If six weeks have passed since you filed your amended return and the tracker shows no record of it, the IRS may not have received it yet. This is more common with paper returns, which can be delayed in the mail or in the IRS scanning queue.

Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and have your Social Security number, filing status, and the date you mailed or e-filed the return ready. The representative can tell you whether the return arrived and, if it did, what stage it is in. They can also tell you if there is a problem with the form itself that is preventing processing.

If you mailed a paper return and it has been more than eight weeks with no record, you may want to file a second amended return. Keep a copy of the first one for your records. The IRS will process whichever one arrives first, and you can contact them to withdraw the duplicate once the first one is processed.

Refund timing and payment method

Once the IRS issues your refund, the payment method depends on what you chose on your amended return. If you selected direct deposit, the money goes to the bank account you listed on Form 1040-X. If you selected a check, the IRS mails it to the address on file.

Direct deposit refunds usually arrive within three to five business days of the issue date shown in the tracker. Checks take longer — typically 7 to 10 business days, and sometimes longer depending on mail delivery in your area.

If you changed your bank account information on your amended return (for example, if your old account is closed), the refund will go to the new account you listed. If you did not change it on the amended return but want the refund to go to a different account, you cannot change it after filing. You will have to wait for the refund to arrive at the original account and then transfer it yourself.

What happens if the IRS denies part or all of your amended return

If the tracker shows your amended return was processed but the IRS reduced your refund or denied it entirely, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining why. This letter is called a Notice of Adjustment. Read it carefully because it tells you what the IRS changed and the reason.

You have the right to disagree with the IRS decision. The Notice of Adjustment will include instructions for how to respond, usually within 30 days. You can send additional documents, receipts, or a written explanation. If you do not respond, the IRS decision becomes final.

If you believe the IRS made an error, you can also file another amended return with corrected information. Keep copies of everything you send to the IRS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check the status of my amended return before four weeks have passed?

The IRS Where's My Amended Return tool usually does not show any record until about four weeks after you file. Checking before that will likely show no results. If you e-filed, your tax software may show a confirmation that the return was transmitted, but that is different from the IRS receiving and processing it.

What if I filed my amended return electronically but the tracker says nothing?

E-filed returns usually appear in the tracker within two to three weeks. If it has been four weeks and you still see nothing, call 800-829-1040 with your confirmation number from your tax software. The IRS can verify that the return was received on their end.

Will the IRS contact me if there is a problem with my amended return?

The IRS may contact you by mail if they need more information or if they found an error that affects your refund. They will not call you or email you. If you receive a call or email claiming to be from the IRS about your amended return, it is a scam.

Can I check the status of my amended return on my tax software account?

Some tax software providers show the status of e-filed returns in your account, but this information comes from the IRS. The official source is always the IRS Where's My Amended Return tool. Your tax software status may update slower than the IRS tracker.

What if my refund was issued but I have not received it after two weeks?

If the tracker shows your refund was issued by direct deposit and two weeks have passed, contact your bank to confirm the deposit did not arrive. If your bank has no record, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 with the issue date from the tracker. If the refund was issued by check and three weeks have passed, contact the IRS to request a replacement check.

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.