What Get My Payment Does

Get My Payment is an IRS tool that shows you the status of federal tax refunds and certain payments the IRS has sent to you. You enter basic information about yourself, and the tool tells you whether a payment has been processed, when it was sent, and where it went. It does not let you change a payment that is already in motion, but it does answer the most common question: where is my money?

The tool covers tax refunds from your return, advance payments on tax credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit), and economic impact payments from federal stimulus programs. If you are waiting on any of these, Get My Payment can tell you the status without calling the IRS or visiting an office.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment is free and available on the IRS website at irs.gov — search for "Get My Payment" or go directly to the payment status tool.
  • You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address to look up a payment.
  • The tool shows the payment method (direct deposit, check, or debit card), the date it was sent, and the account it was sent to.
  • If a payment shows as sent but you have not received it, the next step depends on the payment method — contact your bank for direct deposits, or contact the IRS for checks.
  • Get My Payment updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in one day will show the same status.

How to Access Get My Payment

Go to irs.gov and search for "Get My Payment" in the search box at the top of the page. The IRS will show you a link to the payment status tool. Click it and you will land on a page that asks for your information.

You do not need to log into an IRS account or create one. The tool works without a login — you straightforward enter your details and it pulls up your payment status. This makes it faster than many government tools, but it also means you should only use it on a computer or device you trust.

What Information You Need to Provide

Get My Payment asks for three pieces of information: your Social Security number, your date of birth, and the street address from your most recent tax return. Have these ready before you start.

The street address must match exactly what is on file with the IRS. If you moved recently and filed your return from an old address, use the address from that return, not your current one. If you are unsure which address the IRS has, check a copy of your tax return or a notice the IRS sent you.

What the Results Tell You

Once you enter your information, Get My Payment shows one of three statuses: Payment Status Not Available, Payment Pending, or Payment Sent.

Payment Status Not Available means the IRS does not have a record of a payment for you yet. This is normal if you filed your return recently — the IRS typically takes 21 days to process a return and begin sending refunds. It can also mean the IRS is still reviewing your return, or that you do not have a refund coming.

Payment Pending means the IRS has approved your payment but has not sent it out yet. The tool will show you the expected date it will be sent. This status usually lasts a few days to a week.

Payment Sent means the IRS has released your payment. The tool shows you the payment method (direct deposit to a bank account, a check mailed to your address, or a debit card), and the date it was sent. For direct deposits, the money usually arrives within one to two business days. For checks, allow 7 to 10 business days from the send date.

What to Do If Your Payment Is Delayed

If Get My Payment shows your payment was sent but you have not received it, the next step depends on how it was sent. For direct deposits, contact your bank and give them the send date from Get My Payment. Ask them to check whether the deposit arrived and whether it is pending in your account. Banks sometimes hold deposits for a day or two, especially if the amount is large or unusual for your account.

If your bank has no record of the deposit after five business days from the send date, contact the IRS. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main customer service line) and tell them the payment was sent but not received. Have your Social Security number and the send date ready. The IRS can investigate whether the payment went to the wrong account or was returned.

For checks, wait at least 10 business days from the send date before assuming it is lost. Checks can take longer in the mail, especially during busy periods. If 10 business days have passed and you have not received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report it. The IRS can issue a replacement check or, in some cases, send the payment by direct deposit instead.

For debit cards, the card is mailed to your address on file. If you have not received it after 10 business days, contact the card issuer (the company name is printed on the card once you receive it, or the IRS can tell you which company issued it). The issuer can confirm whether the card was mailed and can reissue it if it was lost.

When Get My Payment Does Not Show Your Payment

If you filed a tax return but Get My Payment shows no payment status, it does not always mean something is wrong. The IRS processes returns in the order they are received, and refunds can take several weeks to process. If you filed recently, check back in a few days.

If you filed more than 21 days ago and Get My Payment still shows nothing, your return may be under review. This happens when the IRS needs to verify information on your return — for example, if you claimed a large credit or if there is a mismatch between your return and IRS records. You will usually receive a notice in the mail if this is happening. Do not contact the IRS unless you receive a notice asking you to.

If you filed a return and are certain you should have a refund, but Get My Payment shows no status after 21 days, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about your return status. Have your Social Security number and the date you filed ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Get My Payment on my phone?

Yes, Get My Payment works on phones, tablets, and computers. The IRS website is mobile-friendly, so you can access it from any device with a web browser. Just go to irs.gov and search for "Get My Payment."

How often does Get My Payment update?

Get My Payment updates once per day, usually overnight. If you check it multiple times in one day, you will see the same status. There is no benefit to checking more than once per day.

What if Get My Payment says my payment was sent to the wrong account?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and explain that the payment went to an incorrect account. Provide the account details shown in Get My Payment. The IRS can investigate and may be able to recover the payment or issue a new one. This process can take several weeks.

Do I need to create an IRS account to use Get My Payment?

No. Get My Payment does not require you to log in or create an account. You straightforward enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and address, and the tool shows your status. This makes it faster than many IRS tools, but use it only on a computer you trust.

Can Get My Payment tell me if I am getting a refund?

Get My Payment only shows the status of payments the IRS has already processed. If you have not filed your return yet, or if the IRS is still processing it, Get My Payment will show "Payment Status Not Available." To find out whether you will get a refund, you need to file your return or check the status of a return you have already filed.