Where is my refund?

Wondering where your tax refund is right now? On this page you’ll find everything you need to track your IRS refund status and your state tax refund in a few clicks, understand common delays, and know when you can expect your money to hit your account.

Track my federal refund
OR
Track my state refund

How IRS refund tracking works

To check your IRS refund status, use the official “Where’s My Refund?” tool. Have these details from your tax return ready and follow three simple steps:

Three simple steps to track my tax refund: enter SSN or ITIN, filing status, and refund amount in the IRS Where is my refund tool

Enter your SSN or ITIN

Type in the Social Security Number or ITIN that appears on your federal tax return.

Three simple steps to track my tax refund: enter SSN or ITIN, filing status, and refund amount in the IRS Where is my refund tool

Choose your filing status

Select the same filing status you used when you filed (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.).

Three simple steps to track my tax refund: enter SSN or ITIN, filing status, and refund amount in the IRS Where is my refund tool

Enter your expected refund amount

Add the exact refund amount from your return to see your current tax refund status and estimated deposit date.

Flat illustration of a refund form and dollar bill showing where is my tax refund status

Where is my state tax refund?

Filed in more than one state or moved recently? Use our state list to go straight to your state’s refund tracker. From there you can check your state tax refund status using the information from your state return and see if your refund is still processing, approved, or already issued.

Track my refund >

irs.gov

Tax refund status FAQs

  • The IRS refund tracker updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight. That means checking your status more than once a day won’t show anything new.

    If your status isn’t changing, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong—it may just still be processing.

  • When you e-file, the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool will typically move through a few stages, such as:

    • Return received – the IRS has your return and is processing it

    • Refund approved – your refund has been approved and a date is set

    • Refund sent – the money has been sent to your bank or mailed as a check

    If a message is confusing, a USA Tax professional can help you interpret it and decide whether you need to take any action.

  • Refunds from amended returns take longer. The IRS often needs up to 16 weeks or more to process a Form 1040-X because it’s handled more manually.

    To check the status, use the IRS “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool. It will show you whether your amended return is received, adjusted, or completed. If you’re not sure what you’re seeing, we can review the status with you and explain your next steps.

  • The IRS usually issues most refunds in about three weeks after your return is accepted, but a few things can slow it down:

    • A mismatch or error on your return

    • Missing or incomplete information

    • Identity-verification checks

    • Additional review of credits (like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit)

    • Paper-filed returns or mailed-in documents

    If the IRS needs more info, they may send you a letter. Until then, the best way to see what’s going on is to use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool and check your tax refund status there.

  • At USA Tax, we focus on helping you keep more of what you earn—legally and strategically. To aim for a bigger refund (or lower tax bill) next year, you can:

    • Adjust your withholding using an updated Form W-4

    • Make sure you’re claiming all eligible credits and deductions

    • Track deductible expenses during the year instead of scrambling at tax time

    • Talk with a tax pro before big life changes (marriage, moving, new job, side business, etc.)

    We can review your current situation and build a plan so next year’s refund looks better.

  • For most accurate, e-filed returns with direct deposit, the IRS says refunds are typically issued within about 21 days after they accept your return.

    It can take longer if:

    • The return is selected for additional review

    • There are errors or missing information

    • You filed by mail or requested a paper check

    You can always confirm your current tax refund status using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool.