Tax Refund Status FAQs: How To Really Track What’s Going On

Checking a tax refund is mostly about two systems: the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for federal refunds, and your state department of revenue (or similar tax office) for state refunds. Each has its own online tools, phone lines, and processing timelines, and delays are common when information doesn’t match or extra review is triggered.

Quick answers: How do I check my refund status?

Quick summary:

• Federal refunds are handled by the IRS through the “Where’s My Refund?” online tool and the IRS refund hotline.
• State refunds are handled by your state’s department of revenue or tax commission through a state refund status portal or phone line.
• You’ll typically need your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount from your tax return.
• Electronic filing with direct deposit usually moves faster than paper returns and paper checks, but timing varies and is never guaranteed.
• Delays often come from identity verification requests, mismatched information, or errors on the return.
• Always use .gov websites or official phone numbers and never pay a third party just to check your refund status.

Where to check your refund: Federal vs. state

Most people have two separate refunds to track: one from the IRS (federal) and one from their state, unless they live in a state with no income tax. These are completely separate systems.

For your federal refund, the official agency is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the main status tool is the IRS’s online refund tracker plus an automated phone system for refund information. You can search for “IRS refund status” and choose the result that ends in .gov to avoid scams.

For your state refund, the official office is usually called a Department of Revenue, Department of Taxation, or Tax Commission, depending on your state. Search for “YourState name tax refund status” and click on the .gov site, then look for a link like “Refund Status,” “Check Refund,” or “Where’s My Refund?” on the state portal.

Key terms to know:

• E-file — Sending your tax return electronically through tax software, a tax pro, or a free file program.
• Direct deposit — Having your refund sent straight to your bank account instead of as a paper check.
• Processing — The IRS or state reviewing your return, checking for errors, matching wage data, and approving or adjusting your refund.
• Offset — When part or all of your refund is taken to pay certain debts like federal student loans in default, back child support, or unpaid taxes.

What you need ready before checking your refund

Most official refund status tools and phone systems ask for the same core information so they can match you to the right return and protect your identity. Having these details ready prevents timeouts and repeated failed attempts.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Copy of your filed tax return (Form 1040 or state equivalent), to get your exact refund amount and filing status.
• Social Security card or ITIN letter, or at least your correct SSN/ITIN as entered on your return.
• Bank statement or direct deposit info if you used direct deposit and want to confirm whether the refund actually arrived.

These aren’t usually uploaded just to check status, but you often need them in front of you so your answers match exactly what the IRS or state system has on file. If a notice was mailed to you about your refund (for example, an IRS letter asking for identity verification or more information), keep that notice handy, since it will typically list a notice number and specific instructions.

Step-by-step: How to check and what to expect next

1. Confirm whether you filed and how

Before checking status, be sure you actually filed and that the return was accepted. If you used tax software, log into your account and look for messages like “Accepted by IRS” or “Rejected.”

If the return was rejected, your refund is not in process yet; you’ll need to correct the issue and resubmit the return before any status tool will show progress. If you mailed a paper return, there is no “accepted” status; the first sign is usually when the agency’s system shows they received your return after they open and scan it, which commonly takes longer.

2. Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool

Your first concrete action today: Check your federal refund online.

1. Search for “IRS Where’s My Refund .gov” and open the official IRS site ending in .gov.
2. Enter your Social Security number (or ITIN), filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact whole-dollar refund amount from your federal Form 1040.
3. Submit the form and review the status message.

What to expect next: The IRS tool typically shows one of a few stages: “Return Received,” “Refund Approved,” or “Refund Sent,” sometimes with an estimated date. If there is a problem or the IRS needs more information, the tool may say your return is being processed or that a notice has been or will be mailed, with more instructions.

If you prefer phone, you can call the IRS automated refund hotline listed on the IRS.gov site, enter your SSN and refund amount when prompted, and hear the same status messages by phone.

3. Use your state’s refund status portal

After checking federal, repeat for your state refund, if you are owed one.

1. Search for “[Your State] refund status .gov” and choose the official state department of revenue or taxation site.
2. Open the state’s refund status page and enter the requested information, typically SSN, filing status, and refund amount or tax year.
3. Submit and read the processing stage or any alert messages.

What to expect next: States commonly show messages like “Received,” “Processing,” “Approved,” or “Issued,” sometimes with a mailing or deposit date. Some states provide more detailed codes or explanations; others simply state that your return is under review without specifics.

4. If your status is “processing” for a long time

If the system has shown “processing” for several weeks beyond the agency’s typical timeframe listed on their site, you may need to contact them. Timelines vary by location and time of year, but most agencies publish general expectations.

1. Write down what the online tool is saying and the date you checked.
2. Use the official contact page on the IRS or state revenue .gov site to find the refund or individual income tax phone line.
3. When you call, you can say: “I’m calling to check the status of my [federal/state] income tax refund. The online tool shows that my return is still processing. Can you tell me if you need anything from me?”

What to expect next: The representative may confirm that your return is still under routine review, tell you there is a hold for identity verification, or explain that a notice was sent asking for more information. They typically will not speed up processing, but they can often tell you whether additional steps are required from you, such as calling an identity verification unit or mailing specific documents.

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A common snag is when the IRS or a state places a hold for identity verification, sends a letter to your last known address, and you either never receive it or overlook it, so your refund just sits in “processing.” In that situation, your refund usually will not move forward until you follow the directions in that letter or call the specific verification or correspondence unit listed, which often involves answering questions about prior-year returns or providing copies of ID and supporting documents.

Why refunds get delayed and how documents come into play

Refunds are heavily screened to prevent fraud and to make sure your income and credits match what your employers and banks reported. When something doesn’t match or falls into a review category, the IRS or state may slow things down and ask for proof.

Common reasons for delays include mismatched Social Security numbers, claiming credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit that require extra review, or differences between the income on your return and the income reported by employers. In those cases, the IRS or state usually sends a formal notice explaining what they’re reviewing and what you need to send.

Documents that are often required when a return is under review include:

• W-2s and 1099 forms supporting the income reported on your return, especially if there’s a mismatch.
• Photo identification and proof of address, such as a driver’s license and a recent utility bill, for identity verification holds.
• Supporting documents for credits, like school records, childcare receipts, or proof a child lives with you, for certain refundable credits.

You typically mail or upload these documents using the exact instructions on the notice; sending documents the agency didn’t ask for can slow review because they need to be matched manually to your case.

Avoiding scams and getting legitimate help

Anytime you are dealing with a tax refund, your Social Security number, bank account, and refund amount are sensitive information that criminals target. To protect yourself, always use websites ending in .gov and never enter your personal information on a site that charges a fee just to check your refund.

Beware of messages claiming you must pay a fee or provide your full bank login to “release” a refund; the IRS and state tax agencies do not ask for banking passwords and do not charge a special fee simply to issue a refund that you are already owed. If someone calls, emails, or texts saying they are from the IRS or your state and demanding immediate payment or personal information to release a refund, hang up or ignore the message and instead call the official IRS or state revenue number listed on the government site to confirm.

If you need help understanding a notice or navigating a delay, there are legitimate assistance options:

• IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs): These are physical IRS offices where you can get in-person help by appointment for issues like identity verification or unanswered refund questions.
• Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs): These independent, often nonprofit clinics help qualifying taxpayers with disputes involving the IRS, including delayed refunds or audits.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites: These programs commonly help with filing returns and may answer general questions about refund status and notices.

Since exact rules, refund timelines, and documentation requirements can vary by state, tax year, and your individual situation, always confirm details on the official IRS or state tax agency site or with an authorized tax professional before sending documents or taking further action. Once you’ve checked both federal and state portals, reviewed any notices you’ve received, and contacted the official phone line if you’re stuck in “processing,” you’ll have the information needed to decide your next step, whether that’s simply waiting or responding to a specific request.