Where’s My Refund? Helper

What you’ll need for the IRS tracker

• Your Social Security number or ITIN
• Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.)
• The exact whole-dollar refund amount shown on your return
• The tax year

All of these are on your tax return. Type them only on irs.gov or in the IRS app. For an amended return, the IRS tool asks for your Social Security number, date of birth and ZIP code.

What the three statuses mean

1. Return ReceivedThe IRS has your return and is processing it. A refund date isn’t shown yet.
2. Refund ApprovedYour refund is approved and the IRS is preparing to send it. The tracker shows a personalized date for when it should be sent.
3. Refund SentThe IRS has sent the refund. Allow time for your bank to post a direct deposit, or for a check to arrive in the mail.

The IRS updates the tracker once a day, usually overnight, so there’s no need to check more often. Calling the IRS won’t speed up a refund; phone assistors see the same information.

Common reasons for delays or a smaller refund

Errors or missing information

For example, a math error or a return that wasn’t signed. The IRS may need to correct it or ask you for more information.

EITC or ACTC

By law, the IRS can’t issue refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February. The hold applies to the whole refund, not just the credit.

Identity verification (5071C letter)

If the IRS needs to confirm it was really you who filed, it mails a CP5071-series letter, such as Letter 5071C. Your return waits until you verify. Follow the instructions on the letter.

Bank information (CP53E notice)

The IRS is moving away from paper refund checks. If your bank information is missing or rejected, the IRS may send a CP53E notice giving you 30 days to add an account in your IRS online account. If you don’t respond, it issues a paper check after 6 weeks.

Offsets for debts

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which issues IRS refunds, can use part or all of a refund to pay past-due child support, federal agency non-tax debts, state income tax or certain state unemployment debts (the Treasury Offset Program). It mails you a notice showing the original refund, the amount taken and which agency received it. The IRS can also apply a refund to federal taxes you owe and will mail a notice.

Amended returns and injured spouse requests

These are reviewed by hand and take longer.

Look up an IRS letter →

Texas: no state refund to track

Texas has no state income tax, so Texans don’t file a state income tax return and there’s no state refund to track. Your only income tax refund is the federal one from the IRS.

Questions