How to Check Your Tax Refund Status on IRS.gov

What the IRS "Get My Payment" tool does

The IRS "Get My Payment" tool on IRS.gov tells you where your refund is in the processing pipeline. It shows you the status of a refund you are owed, the expected deposit date if one has been set, and whether the IRS has sent the money to your bank or is still processing your return. You reach it by going to IRS.gov, finding the "Get My Payment" link (usually under a "Refunds" or "Payments" section), and entering your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return.

This tool works only for refunds — money the IRS owes you because you paid too much in taxes. It does not track payments you made to the IRS during the year, estimated tax payments, or payments made through a tax software company. If you are looking for information about a payment you sent to the IRS, you will need the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool instead, or you can call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

Key Takeaways

The "Get My Payment" tool requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return to look up your status.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day will show the same information.
If your return was filed electronically, the IRS typically processes it within 21 days; paper returns take longer.
The tool will tell you if the IRS has mailed a check, deposited money to your bank account, or is still reviewing your return.
If the tool says "information does not match our records," your return may not have been received yet, or you may have entered a number incorrectly.

How to access the tool and what information you need

Go to IRS.gov and search for "Get My Payment" or look for a link labeled "Refunds" or "Where's My Refund?" on the homepage. The IRS website layout changes, so if you cannot find it when ready, use the search bar at the top of the page. Once you click the link, you will see a screen asking for three pieces of information: your Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you do not have an SSN), your filing status as it appears on your return (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, or may have access to Widow(er)), and the exact refund amount from your return.

The refund amount must match exactly what appears on your tax return. If you filed Form 1040, this number is on line 24 (for the 2023 tax year) or the equivalent line for other years. If you used tax software to file, the refund amount should be in your confirmation email or in the software itself under "Summary" or "Return Information." If you cannot find the exact amount, you can look up your return using the IRS "Transcript" tool, which also requires your SSN and filing status but shows you a copy of what the IRS received.

What each status message means

When you enter your information, the tool will show one of several messages. "Refund Status Not Available" means the IRS has not yet received your return or has not started processing it. This is normal if you filed fewer than 21 days ago (for electronic returns) or fewer than 40 days ago (for paper returns). Check back after that window has passed. If you filed more than 40 days ago and still see this message, your return may not have been received — contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your filing confirmation number (if you have one) or a copy of your return.

"Refund Status: Received" means the IRS has your return and is reviewing it. No date has been set yet. "Refund Status: Approved" means the IRS has finished reviewing your return and approved the refund. The tool will show an expected deposit date if the money is being sent by direct deposit, or a mailing date if the IRS is sending a check. "Refund Status: Sent" means the IRS has already sent your refund — either deposited it to your bank account or mailed a check. The tool will show the date the money was sent.

If you see "Information Does Not Match Our Records," you have entered at least one number incorrectly. Double-check your Social Security number (no hyphens), your filing status, and the refund amount. A common mistake is entering the amount from a different line on the return — make sure you are using the refund amount, not the total tax paid or the adjusted gross income. If you have triple-checked and the message persists, your return may not have been received yet, or there may be a data entry error on the IRS side. Wait a few days and try again, or call 1-800-829-1040.

How often the tool updates and what to expect

The "Get My Payment" tool updates once per day, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. Eastern Time. Checking the tool multiple times in the same day will show you the same information. If you checked yesterday and saw "Received," checking again this morning may show "Approved" — but checking three times before noon will show "Approved" all three times. There is no benefit to checking more than once per day.

The IRS processes most electronically filed returns within 21 days of receipt. Paper returns take longer — typically 4 to 6 weeks. If your return included a claim for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until mid-February, even if your return is approved earlier. This is called the "EITC/ACTC holding period" and applies every year. If your return includes these credits and you filed in January, your refund will not be sent until February 15 at the earliest, regardless of what the tool shows.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If the tool shows "Received" or "Approved" but you have not received your refund by the date shown, or if no date is shown and more than 21 days have passed since you filed electronically, contact the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1040 and have your Social Security number, filing status, and return ready. The IRS can tell you whether your return is held up because of a data mismatch, a missing document, or a processing error. If the IRS sent a check and you have not received it after 30 days from the mailing date shown in the tool, you can request a replacement check through the same phone line.

If the tool shows "Sent" but you have not received the money after the date shown, the issue depends on how the refund was sent. If it was direct deposited, contact your bank to confirm the deposit has not arrived in a pending status. Banks sometimes hold deposits for a day or two, especially if the amount is large or the deposit came from an unusual source. If the IRS mailed a check, allow 14 business days from the mailing date before assuming it is lost. If 14 business days have passed, call the IRS to request a replacement.

When you cannot use this tool

The "Get My Payment" tool works only for refunds on individual income tax returns (Form 1040 and related forms). It does not work for business tax returns, payroll tax returns, or excise tax returns. If you filed a business return and are waiting for a refund, you will need to contact the IRS directly or use the "Where's My Refund?" tool if you are also an individual filer on a separate return.

The tool also does not show the status of payments you made to the IRS — only refunds the IRS owes you. If you made an estimated tax payment, paid taxes through payroll withholding, or made a payment when filing your return, and you want to confirm the IRS received it, you can use the IRS "Payment History" tool on IRS.gov or call 1-800-829-1040. The Payment History tool shows all payments the IRS has recorded under your Social Security number, with dates and amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the tool say "information does not match" when I know I entered everything correctly?

The most common cause is a typo in the refund amount — even a single digit off will trigger this message. Make sure you are using the refund amount from your actual return, not an estimate or a number from a different line. If you are certain the amount is correct, your return may not have been received yet by the IRS system, or there may be a delay in the data syncing. Wait 24 hours and try again.

Can I check someone else's refund status?

No. The tool requires the Social Security number of the person whose return was filed, so only that person (or a spouse if the return was filed jointly) can check the status. If you are a tax professional or power of attorney, you will need to use the IRS e-Services portal instead, which requires separate login credentials.

What if I filed jointly with my spouse — whose Social Security number do I use?

You can use either spouse's Social Security number. The refund status will be the same regardless of which number you enter, because the refund belongs to both of you. The filing status must still be "Married Filing Jointly."

Does the tool show state refunds or just federal refunds?

The IRS "Get My Payment" tool shows only federal refunds. State refunds are handled by your state's tax agency, not the IRS. To check a state refund, go to your state's tax department website and look for a "Where's My Refund?" or "Refund Status" tool. Each state runs its own system.

How long does it take to get a refund after the tool says "Sent"?

If the refund was direct deposited, it typically arrives within one to two business days after the date shown in the tool. If the IRS mailed a check, allow 7 to 14 business days from the mailing date. Delays can happen due to banking processing times or mail delivery, especially during peak tax season.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.