The fastest way to check your federal tax filing status is the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool at irs.gov/refunds. It tells you whether the IRS has received your return, whether your refund has been approved, and when to expect payment. You can also call the IRS refund hotline or check through the tax software you used to file.
Using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” Tool
The IRS offers a free online tracker at irs.gov/refunds, and there’s a companion mobile app called IRS2Go that does the same thing. To use either one, you’ll need three pieces of information from your tax return:
- Your Social Security number or ITIN
- Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.)
- Your exact refund amount in whole dollars
You also need to select the tax year you’re checking on. The tool moves through three stages: Return Received, Refund Approved, and Refund Sent. Each stage updates automatically, so you don’t need to call the IRS to get the same information.
When Your Status Becomes Available
How quickly the tracker shows results depends on how you filed. If you e-filed a current-year return, your status typically appears within 24 hours. For a prior-year return filed electronically, expect to wait about 3 days. Paper returns take the longest: roughly 4 weeks before your status shows up in the system at all.
These timelines are just for when the tracker starts working. The actual refund can take longer. E-filed returns with direct deposit are generally the fastest combination. Paper returns mailed to the IRS can take significantly longer to process, and choosing a paper check instead of direct deposit adds more time on the back end.
Checking Through Your Tax Software
If you filed electronically through a tax preparation service or software, that platform also tracks your return’s status. Most services send you an email or dashboard notification confirming the IRS accepted your return, usually within 24 to 48 hours of filing. Acceptance means the IRS received it and didn’t reject it for issues like a duplicate Social Security number or a math error.
Keep in mind that “accepted” and “approved” are two different things. Acceptance means the IRS has your return in its system. Approval means the IRS has reviewed the return and authorized your refund. Your tax software can confirm acceptance, but for refund approval and payment timing, the IRS tracker is the definitive source.
Tracking an Amended Return
Amended returns filed on Form 1040-X have their own separate tracker: the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool on irs.gov. It requires different information than the standard refund tool:
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- Your ZIP code
You can check the status about 3 weeks after you submit your amended return. Processing takes considerably longer than a standard return. The IRS says to allow 8 to 12 weeks, though some amended returns take up to 16 weeks. If your amendment results in an additional refund, don’t expect that money quickly.
Checking Your State Tax Filing Status
State tax returns are tracked separately from your federal return. Each state has its own tax department website with a refund status tool, and the information you’ll need varies by state (though it’s usually your Social Security number, the tax year, and your expected refund amount). You can find your state’s tax department through usa.gov or by searching for your state’s name plus “tax refund status.”
State processing timelines also vary. Some states issue refunds within a couple of weeks for e-filed returns, while others take a month or more. Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit speeds things up in most states, just as it does with the IRS.
What to Do If Your Status Seems Stuck
The most common reason for a stalled status is simply checking too early. If you e-filed within the past 24 hours or mailed a paper return less than four weeks ago, the system may not have your information yet. Checking more frequently won’t speed anything up, and the IRS updates the tool once per day, typically overnight.
If the tracker says “Return Received” but hasn’t moved to “Refund Approved” after 21 days for an e-filed return (or 6 weeks for a paper return), something may need your attention. The IRS may have sent you a letter requesting additional information or verification. Check your mail, including any address the IRS has on file if you’ve moved recently. You can also call the IRS directly at the number listed on the tracker page, though wait times can be long during peak filing season.
Returns that claim certain credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, are held by law until mid-February before refunds are issued. If you filed early and claimed either credit, a delay into late February or early March is normal and not a sign of a problem.