What the IRS Get My Payment tool does

Get My Payment is a free tool on the IRS website that shows you the status of federal tax refunds and certain stimulus 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 how it was delivered — by direct deposit to your bank account or by mail as a check or debit card.

The tool covers federal income tax refunds from any year you filed, plus Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) from 2020, 2021, and 2022. It does not cover state tax refunds, child tax credit payments, or other federal benefits. The IRS updates the tool daily, so you can check your status without calling or visiting an office.

You do not need to create an account or log into IRS.gov to use Get My Payment. You can access it directly and check as many times as you want. The tool is available in English and Spanish.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment shows the status of your federal tax refund or stimulus payment, including the delivery method and expected arrival date.
  • You need your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address to use the tool — the same information from your tax return.
  • If the tool says your payment was mailed, it typically arrives within 21 days of the date shown, though mail delays can extend that.
  • If you see an error in your payment status or the tool will not accept your information, you may need to contact the IRS by phone or mail.
  • The tool works best when you check it a few days after you filed your return or after the IRS announced a stimulus payment round.

How to access Get My Payment on the IRS website

Go to irs.gov and search for "Get My Payment" in the search box at the top of the page. The tool will appear as the first result. Click the link to open it. You can also navigate directly by typing the URL into your browser — the IRS maintains a dedicated page for this tool.

The tool works on any device: a computer, tablet, or phone. You do not need to read anything or install software. If you are using a phone, the page will adjust to fit your screen size, though typing may be slower on a small keyboard.

The tool is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, the IRS sometimes takes the tool offline for maintenance, usually for a few hours at a time. If you see an error message saying the tool is temporarily unavailable, try again in a few hours.

What information you need to enter

The tool asks for three pieces of information: your Social Security number, your date of birth, and your street address. These must match exactly what you reported on your most recent tax return or what the IRS has on file for you. If you moved recently and updated your address with the IRS, use your current address. If you have not notified the IRS of a move, use the address from your return.

Do not include an apartment number or suite number in the street address field unless your return included it. Mismatched information is the most common reason the tool will not accept your entry. If you are unsure what address the IRS has, check a copy of your filed return or a notice the IRS sent you.

The tool does not ask for your name, PIN, or password. If a website asks for more information than these three items and claims to be Get My Payment, it is not the official IRS tool — close the page and go directly to irs.gov instead.

Understanding the payment status messages

The tool shows one of several status messages. "Payment status not available" means the IRS has not yet processed your return or stimulus payment. This is normal if you filed very recently — the IRS typically takes 21 days to process a return after it receives it, though some returns take longer. Check again in a few days.

"Your payment was mailed" means the IRS sent a check or debit card to the address on file. The tool will show the date it was mailed. Checks and debit cards typically arrive within 21 days, but mail delays can extend this. If more than 21 days have passed and you have not received it, contact the IRS.

"Your payment was deposited" means the IRS sent money directly to your bank account. The tool shows the date the deposit was made. Money usually appears in your account within one to two business days of that date, depending on your bank. If the deposit date has passed and the money is not in your account, contact your bank first — they can confirm whether the deposit arrived.

"We are still processing your return" or a similar message means the IRS is still working on your case. This happens when your return needs manual review, when there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what the IRS has on file, or when the IRS is backed up. Check again in a few days or a week.

What to do if the tool shows an error or will not work

If the tool says "We cannot provide information about your payment status" or rejects your information repeatedly, your entry may not match IRS records exactly. Common causes are a typo in your Social Security number, a date of birth error, or an address mismatch. Try entering your information again, paying close attention to spelling and numbers.

If you have recently changed your name — through marriage, divorce, or legal change — the IRS may still have your old name on file. The tool uses the name associated with your Social Security number, not the name you enter. If this is your situation, contact the IRS to update your records before trying the tool again.

If the tool continues to reject your information or shows a status you do not understand, you can contact the IRS directly. Call the refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954 (available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and a copy of your return ready. Wait times are often long, especially during tax season.

You can also mail a written inquiry to the IRS. Include your name, Social Security number, the tax year in question, and a description of the problem. Mail it to the IRS address shown on your most recent notice or return. Responses by mail typically take four to six weeks.

When Get My Payment does not cover your situation

Get My Payment tracks federal tax refunds and stimulus payments only. It does not show the status of state tax refunds, which are handled by your state's tax agency. To check a state refund, visit your state's tax department website directly — each state maintains its own tool.

The tool also does not cover Child Tax Credit payments sent in 2021, Recovery Rebate Credit payments, or other federal benefits like Social Security or unemployment. If you are looking for information about one of these, you will need to contact the agency that administers it or check a different IRS tool.

If you filed your return through a tax preparation service and paid a fee to have it deducted from your refund, the tool shows the full refund amount before the fee is subtracted. The tax preparer deducts their fee after the IRS deposits the money, so your bank deposit will be smaller than what Get My Payment displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check Get My Payment?

Check once every few days if you are waiting for a refund or stimulus payment. Checking more than once a day will not speed up processing. The IRS updates the tool daily, usually overnight, so checking at the same time each day gives you the most current information.

Why does Get My Payment say my payment was mailed but I never received it?

Mail delays happen, especially during high-volume periods. Wait at least 21 days from the mailed date before assuming it is lost. If more than 21 days have passed, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 with the mailed date shown in the tool. The IRS can investigate and may reissue the payment.

Can I use Get My Payment to check on someone else's refund?

No. The tool requires the Social Security number and date of birth of the person whose payment you are checking. You cannot look up another person's payment status, even if you are their spouse or parent. Each person must check their own status using their own information.

What if I filed a joint return but Get My Payment will not accept my spouse's information?

Each spouse can check their own refund status using their own Social Security number and date of birth. If one spouse's information is rejected, the address on file may not match what that spouse expects. Try the address exactly as it appears on the filed return, or contact the IRS to confirm what address they have on record.

Is Get My Payment safe to use?

Yes, Get My Payment is an official IRS tool and is find. It does not require a password or personal login. Only enter your information on the official IRS website — type irs.gov directly into your browser or search for "Get My Payment IRS" to find the real tool. Do not click links in emails or texts claiming to be from the IRS, as these are often scams.