Track your refund.
Once a return is filed, the fastest way to see where a refund stands is the tax authority’s own status tool. Here is what to use and what you’ll need.
Federal refunds
Use the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool, or the same status inside your IRS Online Account. Have three things ready:
- Social Security number or ITIN of the first taxpayer listed on the return.
- Filing status — single, married filing jointly, and so on.
- Exact refund amount shown on the return, in whole dollars.
State refunds
Each state runs its own refund tracker on its Department of Revenue or Taxation site, with its own timing. Pick your state below to open its status tool — you’ll usually need your SSN or ITIN and the exact state refund amount from the return. States without an income tax don’t have one.
When status appears
For an e-filed return, a status usually shows about 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt. For a paper return, allow around four weeks before checking. The tool moves through three stages — return received, refund approved, and refund sent — and updates once a day, so checking more often won’t show anything new.
What can slow a refund
Common reasons a refund takes longer than the typical few weeks: the return needs a correction or further review, it includes certain credits the IRS is required to hold until a set date, identity verification is requested, or a past-due debt is offset against the refund. If the tool asks you to contact the IRS, or a notice arrives, that’s the point to loop us in.
Heads up. Status tools and timelines are set by the IRS and the states and can change. This page is general guidance, not a promise about your return. If a refund is well past the usual window or a notice arrives, get in touch and we’ll help you read it.