What the IRS "Get My Payment" tool does

Get My Payment is a tool on IRS.gov that shows you the status of a federal tax refund or certain government payments sent to you by the IRS. You enter basic information — your Social Security number, filing status, and the expected refund amount — and the tool tells you whether the payment has been processed, when it was sent, and where it went.

The tool works for tax refunds you claimed on your return, Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) from 2020 and 2021, and some other payments the IRS issued. It does not work for Child Tax Credit advance payments, which had a separate tracker that ended in 2022.

You can check your payment status anytime without logging in. The IRS updates the information once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will show the same result.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment is located at irs.gov/refunds and requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return.
  • The tool shows whether your payment has been processed, the date it was sent, and the method used (direct deposit, check, or debit card).
  • If the tool says your payment was sent but you have not received it, the next step depends on the payment method — contact your bank for direct deposits, wait 21 days for checks, or check your debit card account.
  • The IRS updates payment information once per day, so checking multiple times in one day will not show new information.
  • If Get My Payment shows an error or you cannot find your payment, you may need to contact the IRS directly or file a claim for a missing refund.

How to use Get My Payment on IRS.gov

Go to irs.gov/refunds and select "Get My Payment." You will see a screen asking for three pieces of information. Enter your Social Security number exactly as it appears on your tax return. Select your filing status from the dropdown — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household. Then enter the exact refund amount shown on your return.

The refund amount must match what you claimed on your return to the dollar. If you are unsure of the amount, check your filed return or the confirmation notice the IRS sent you. Once you enter all three items, click "Submit" and the tool will display your payment status.

You do not need to create an account or log in with an IRS username. The tool is free and available 24 hours a day. If you filed jointly, either spouse can check the status using their own Social Security number.

What the payment status messages mean

The tool displays one of several messages depending on where your payment is in the process. "Return Received" means the IRS has your return but has not yet processed it or issued a payment. "Approved" means the IRS has approved your return and is preparing to send your payment. "Sent" means the payment has left the IRS and is on its way to you — the exact date and method appear on the screen.

"Scheduled" means the IRS has scheduled your payment for a future date, which the tool will display. This can happen if the IRS is holding your refund for review or if you claimed certain credits that require additional processing time. "Not Available" means the tool cannot find a record matching the information you entered — this usually means the return has not been received yet or the information does not match your filed return exactly.

If you see "Refund Offset" or "Offset," the IRS has applied your refund to pay a debt you owe — typically back taxes, child support, or a federal student loan. The tool will show the amount offset and the reason. You cannot reverse an offset through Get My Payment; you must contact the IRS or the agency holding the debt.

What to do if your payment was sent but you have not received it

If Get My Payment shows your payment was sent by direct deposit but the money has not appeared in your bank account, contact your bank first. Provide them with the date the IRS says it sent the payment. Banks can see whether the deposit arrived and where it went. If your bank says they never received it, ask them to provide a written statement and contact the IRS with that documentation.

If the tool shows your payment was sent by check, wait at least 21 days from the date shown on the screen before contacting the IRS. Checks can take two to three weeks to arrive by mail. If 21 days have passed and you have not received the check, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report it missing. Have the payment date and amount ready.

If the tool shows your payment was sent to a debit card, log into your debit card account online or call the card issuer's customer service number. The payment may have been deposited but not yet posted to your available balance, or it may have been rejected by the card company. The card issuer can tell you whether they received the deposit and why it might not be showing in your account.

Why Get My Payment might show an error or no results

The most common reason Get My Payment shows "Not Available" is that the information you entered does not match your filed return exactly. The refund amount is the most frequent mismatch — it must be the exact number from your return, including cents if applicable. Double-check your return or your IRS notice to confirm the amount. If you amended your return, use the refund amount from the amended return, not the original.

If you filed your return very recently — within the last week or two — the IRS may not have processed it yet. The tool only shows payments for returns the IRS has received and begun processing. Returns filed by mail take longer to enter the system than returns filed electronically.

If you filed a joint return, make sure you are entering the filing status as "Married Filing Jointly," not "Single" or another status. The Social Security number can be either spouse's number, but the filing status must match what you claimed on the return.

When to contact the IRS if Get My Payment does not help

If Get My Payment continues to show an error after you have verified your information, or if it shows your payment was sent but you have confirmed with your bank or card issuer that it was never received, contact the IRS directly. Call 800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready.

If you believe your refund was lost or misdirected, the IRS can file a trace on the payment. This process takes time — typically 30 to 60 days — and the IRS will contact you with the results. You may need to file a claim for a missing refund on Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) if the trace does not locate the payment.

If you have a complex situation — such as a refund offset, an amended return, or a return that was rejected — the IRS may direct you to a local IRS office or to a tax professional. The IRS also offers in-person help at Taxpayer information Centers in most cities; you can find the nearest one at irs.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's payment status?

No. Get My Payment requires the Social Security number of the person whose refund you are checking. You cannot check a spouse's, child's, or dependent's payment using your own information. Each person must check their own payment status using their own Social Security number.

How often does Get My Payment update?

The IRS updates payment information once per day, usually between midnight and 1 a.m. Eastern Time. Checking the tool multiple times in a single day will show the same status. If your status has not changed after several days, contact the IRS to ask whether your return is under review.

What if I entered the wrong refund amount by mistake?

If you entered an amount that does not match your return, the tool will show "Not Available." Go back and enter the exact refund amount from your filed return or your IRS notice. If you are unsure of the amount, check your tax return or call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm it.

Does Get My Payment work for state tax refunds?

No. Get My Payment only tracks federal refunds and payments issued by the IRS. To check a state tax refund, visit your state's tax agency website. Each state has its own refund tracking tool with a different web address.

What should I do if Get My Payment says my refund was offset?

An offset means the IRS applied your refund to pay a debt — usually back taxes, child support, or a federal student loan. You cannot reverse the offset through Get My Payment. Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or the agency that holds the debt to discuss your options, which may include a payment plan or a request for relief.