IRS Tool: ‘Where’s My Refund’

IRS Tool: ‘Where’s My Refund’

Authored by the IRS

Where’s My Refund?

Information regarding the status of your tax refund is available through the Where’s My Refund tool, which displays personalized refund dates once your return has been processed and approved. The availability of this information varies depending on the method of filing and the tax year in question. You can check the status of your tax year 2022 return within 24 hours of e-filing, tax year 2020 or 2021 returns within 3 or 4 days of e-filing, and paper-filed returns after 4 weeks. The Where’s My Refund tracker updates your refund’s progress through three stages: Return Received, Refund Approved, and Refund Sent. To use this tool, you must provide your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount.

If your refund is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may file an online claim for a replacement check if more than 28 days have passed since your refund was mailed. The Where’s My Refund tool provides detailed information on how to file a claim in this situation.

It’s important to note that Where’s My Refund does not provide information on amended tax returns. For information on the status of Form 1040-X, you will need to use the Where’s My Amended Return tool instead.

Additional refund status information

Do not call the IRS to check on the refund status unless it has been more than 21 days since the return was filed or the tool says the IRS can provide more information.

If the IRS needs more information to process the return, the taxpayer will be contacted by mail.

For more information about checking the status of a tax refund, please visit Where’s My Refund?