How to Check Your Tax Refund Status (and What to Do If It’s Delayed)

If you’re waiting on a tax refund, you don’t have to guess where it is. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for federal refunds, and your state department of revenue or tax agency for state refunds, both provide tools to track the status and see if something is holding it up.

Quick summary: Where your refund status actually comes from

  • Federal refunds are handled by the IRS, usually through the “Where’s My Refund?” online tool or the IRS automated phone system.
  • State refunds are handled by your state department of revenue or tax commission, usually through a separate state refund status page or phone line.
  • You typically need your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount to check status.
  • Most refunds show up in the system 24 hours after e‑filing or about 4 weeks after mailing a paper return.
  • If the tool shows an error, code, or “still processing” for weeks, you may need to contact the IRS or your state tax office or respond to a letter.

Rules, timelines, and tools can vary by state and individual situation, but the core steps below apply in most cases.

1. How to check your federal tax refund status today

The fastest way to see where your federal refund stands is the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” system, available online and through an automated phone line.

Do this today:

  1. Gather these three details before you check:

    • Your Social Security number or ITIN (used on the return).
    • Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse).
    • The exact whole-dollar refund amount from your federal tax return.

  2. Use the official IRS refund status tool:

    • Search online for “IRS Where’s My Refund official” and choose a result that ends in .gov.
    • Enter the three pieces of information above exactly as they appear on your return.

  3. If you can’t use the internet:

    • Call the IRS refund status automated line (found on the official IRS.gov site).
    • Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready for the prompts.

What to expect next:
The IRS system typically shows one of three stages: Return Received, Refund Approved, or Refund Sent. Each status may also show an estimated deposit or mailing date once the refund is approved. If your refund has been sent but the money is not in your account or mailbox, the system may point you to information on tracing a missing refund.

2. State refund status: Where to look and how it’s different

Federal and state refunds move on separate tracks. Even if your federal money arrives, your state income tax refund can still be in progress or delayed.

To check your state refund:

  1. Find your state tax agency:

    • Search for “[Your State] tax refund status” or “[Your State] department of revenue refund”.
    • Pick the site that ends in .gov or clearly belongs to the state’s official tax or revenue department.

  2. Use your state’s refund portal:

    • Most states ask for your Social Security number, filing status, and either your refund amount or tax year.
    • Some states also require a confirmation number from e‑filing or a specific ID number from your state return.

  3. If online access is a problem:

    • Call the state tax refund information phone number listed on your state’s official tax website.
    • Ask for “refund status” and be ready to verify your identity.

What to expect next:
State systems commonly show messages like “return received,” “processing,” “refund approved,” or “refund issued.” Some states flag returns for extra identity verification, which can slow refunds significantly until you respond to an identity quiz, letter, or online verification request.

Key terms to know:

  • Refund status — The official stage your return is in (received, processing, approved, sent, etc.) in the tax agency’s system.
  • E‑file — Filing your tax return electronically through software, a tax preparer, or a free-file program.
  • Offset — When all or part of your refund is taken to pay certain debts like federal or state taxes, child support, or federal student loans.
  • Notice/letter — A written communication from the IRS or a state tax agency that may request more information, explain a change, or report an issue with your return.

3. What you’ll typically need when checking or fixing refund issues

You usually don’t have to upload documents just to check status, but you’ll often need documents if the IRS or your state questions your return, adjusts your refund, or needs identity proof.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Copy of your filed tax return (Form 1040 and state return) — So you can confirm the exact refund amount and filing status you reported.
  • W‑2s and 1099s from employers or payers — Often needed if the agency is reviewing your income or thinks the numbers on your return don’t match what was reported to them.
  • Government-issued photo ID and Social Security card (or ITIN letter) — Commonly required if you must complete identity verification after a refund is flagged for possible fraud.

If you’re responding to a notice, the letter usually lists any additional documents needed, such as proof of dependents, education expenses, or health coverage.

4. Step-by-step: From “Where is my refund?” to resolving a delay

4.1 Basic status check

  1. Confirm how you filed and when.
    Figure out if you e‑filed or mailed a paper return, and the approximate date. This matters because e‑filed returns typically show up in the IRS system within 24 hours, while paper returns can take 3–4 weeks or longer even to appear.

  2. Check your federal status.
    Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool or their automated phone line with your SSN/ITIN, filing status, and exact refund amount.

  3. Check your state status (if you’re owed one).
    Go to your state department of revenue or tax commission site and use the state refund status tool or phone line.

  4. Compare what you see with published timelines.
    Both the IRS and states typically post general processing timelines. If your refund is still in the normal window, you usually just have to wait.

What to expect next:
If everything is normal, the status will move from “received” to “approved” and finally to “sent,” and your money should arrive by the deposit or mailing date shown. If the tool cannot find your return at all, or shows an error, you may need to double-check the information you entered or confirm that the return was actually filed.

4.2 If the status says “still processing” for a long time

  1. Wait at least 21 days for e‑filed federal returns, longer for paper.
    For many people, the IRS will not give additional details until your return has been in the system a certain number of days.

  2. Check if you received a notice.
    Look through your mail and any online IRS account for letters or notices asking for identity verification, documentation, or explaining a change.

  3. If there’s a notice, follow its instructions exactly.

    • Respond by the deadline printed on the letter.
    • Send only the documents they asked for, clearly labeled with your name, SSN (last four digits if requested), and notice number.

  4. If there’s no notice and it’s far beyond the expected time:

    • Call the IRS general taxpayer assistance line listed on the official site.
    • Phone script you can use: “I’m calling to check the status of my individual income tax refund. My return was filed on [date], and the Where’s My Refund tool has shown ‘processing’ since then.”

What to expect next:
An IRS representative or automated system may be able to tell you if your return is under review, if there is a hold, or if they are waiting for you to complete identity verification. In some cases, they can release a hold once verification is done; in others, they may give you an estimated timeframe, but they will not guarantee a specific payment date.

4.3 If the system says your refund was sent but you didn’t get it

  1. Confirm your bank and address information.
    Check the tax return copy to make sure the routing number, account number, and mailing address are correct.

  2. Ask your bank or card issuer.
    Sometimes refunds sent to closed accounts or prepaid cards get rejected and returned to the IRS or state; the financial institution can often tell you if a deposit was attempted.

  3. Request a refund trace or replacement (federal).
    The IRS has a process to trace a missing refund check or direct deposit when the system shows “Refund Sent,” but you don’t have the money. You can usually request a trace by phone or by filing a specific IRS form.

What to expect next:
A trace can show whether the refund check was cashed or the deposit was successfully made. If the refund was stolen or misdirected, the agency may investigate and, if appropriate, reissue the refund, but that can take additional weeks or months.

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A common delay occurs when the IRS or state tax agency flags your return for possible identity theft or fraud, especially if your address changed, your return looks very different from prior years, or someone else tried to file under your SSN. In those situations, you may be required to complete identity verification online, by phone, or in person before the refund is released, and your refund will typically not move until that step is fully completed.

6. Avoiding scams and finding legitimate help

Anytime you’re dealing with refunds, identity, or tax information, protect yourself from fraud.

Scam warnings:

  • Real tax agencies do not ask you to pay a fee to “release” your refund.
  • Be suspicious of calls, texts, or emails claiming to be the IRS or state tax office that demand immediate payment, ask for your full Social Security number, or request gift cards, wire transfers, or peer‑to‑peer payments.
  • Always confirm you’re on a .gov site before entering personal data, and hang up and call back using a phone number you look up on the official government site.

If you need help understanding your status or a notice:

  • Contact the IRS taxpayer assistance line for individuals and follow the prompts related to refunds or notices.
  • For state issues, call your state department of revenue or tax commission using the number listed on the official state tax site or on your notice.
  • Low-income taxpayers may qualify for help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which can often explain notices and help you respond, though they do not control how fast refunds are issued.

Once you’ve checked your status through the proper federal and/or state channels, confirmed any notices, and taken any requested action (like identity verification or sending documents), you’ve done what you can on your side; from there, the IRS or state tax agency’s processing timeline will determine when the refund is finally released.