Where to check (official)
The IRS tool is called "Where's My Refund" (irs.gov/refunds). You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount.
1
Wait 24 hours after e-filing (or about 4 weeks after mailing a paper return) before checking — earlier checks show nothing.
2
Open Where's My Refund at irs.gov and enter your SSN, filing status, and refund amount exactly as filed.
3
Read the status bar: Return Received → Refund Approved → Refund Sent. The tool updates once daily, usually overnight — checking ten times a day changes nothing.
We can't check it for you. This site has no access to IRS records. Anyone promising to check your refund without your IRS credentials is not legitimate.
What the three stages mean
- Return Received — the IRS has your return and is processing it. This is not an approval.
- Refund Approved — the IRS finished processing and approved your refund. You'll see a personalized refund date here.
- Refund Sent — the money is on its way. Direct deposits usually arrive within days of this date; paper checks take weeks.
Common delays and what to do
- EITC / Additional Child Tax Credit: by law (PATH Act), these refunds can't be released before mid-February, even for January filers. This is the #1 "delay" every year — it's normal.
- Identity verification (letter 5071C/5747C): the IRS may ask you to verify your identity online or by phone. Do it promptly — the refund waits until you do.
- Errors on the return: math mistakes, wrong SSNs, or mismatched income documents trigger manual review.
- Amended returns (1040-X): tracked separately via "Where's My Amended Return" — expect many weeks, sometimes months.
- Offsets: part or all of the refund may have been applied to past-due federal tax, child support, or student loans. The IRS mails a notice (CP49) when this happens.
- 21-day rule of thumb: the IRS says most e-filed refunds go out within 21 days. Past that with no approval, start investigating rather than just waiting.
Transcript codes (advanced)
If you pull your free IRS Tax Account transcript online, you'll see transaction codes. A few useful ones:
- 150 — return filed and processed.
- 766 / 768 — credits posted (including EITC).
- 846 — refund issued (the money is sent).
- 570 / 571 — additional review hold placed / released.
Code meanings are general IRS transcript conventions; your transcript's cycle dates determine timing. When in doubt, the Where's My Refund date beats transcript guesswork.
Official sources used on this page
- IRS — Where's My Refund: https://www.irs.gov/refunds
- IRS — Taxpayer Advocate refund help: https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-advocate
We summarize these sources in our own words. Always confirm critical details (fees, dates, eligibility) on the official site before acting.