Track Your Tax Refund: Federal & State

Before you check your refund

Have a copy of the return you filed in front of you. For the IRS tracker, you’ll need:

• Your Social Security number or ITIN.
• The filing status shown on that return.
• The tax year for that return.
• The exact refund amount from that return, entered as the tool instructs.

State tools may ask for different details, such as your ZIP code, date of birth, or an amount from a particular line of your state return. Follow that agency’s instructions.

Track your federal tax refund

IRS refund instructions explain how to check online, through an IRS account, by app, or by phone.

When can you start checking?

Tracking availability is different from receiving your money. The IRS lists typical refund timing of roughly three weeks for e-filed returns and six or more weeks after receiving mailed returns. Review, corrections, or verification can extend the wait. An estimate is not a guaranteed deposit date.

What do the federal status messages mean?

IRS refund information generally updates once a day, usually overnight. Checking repeatedly throughout the day will not speed up payment.

Other ways to check: Get the official IRS app or use the automated federal refund hotline at 800-829-1954. For account access, start with the IRS refund page and select its sign-in option.

Find your state refund service

Choose the state where you filed a return. If you filed in more than one state, check each agency separately. Some links open the tracker directly; others open the agency’s instructions or portal, where the refund option is identified below.

State processing times, available tax years, and required information vary. Use the agency’s current notices and instructions for your return.

Filed an amended federal return?

Use IRS Where’s My Amended Return for Form 1040-X. It tracks the amended return’s processing status; it does not by itself confirm that a refund has reached your bank.

Status generally becomes available around three weeks after submission. The IRS currently advises allowing about 8–12 weeks for processing, with some cases taking up to 16 weeks. You’ll need your SSN, date of birth, and ZIP or postal code.

The tool covers the current tax year and up to three prior years, subject to its exclusions. For a state amended return, use that state’s instructions.

What to do when your refund isn’t right

1. The tracker can’t find your return. Confirm the year, filing status, taxpayer number, and refund amount. Check your e-file acceptance confirmation and allow the agency’s stated time before checking again. “Submitted” is not the same as “accepted.”
2. Your refund is still processing. Read any message in the tracker and review any letter the agency sent. Missing information, identity verification, corrections, or additional review may require action.
3. The refund amount changed. Review the agency’s notice. A tax adjustment can change the amount; an offset can apply part or all of a refund to qualifying debts. See IRS guidance on reduced refunds.
4. The refund says “sent,” but you haven’t received it. Check the payment method, expected date, and your bank account. If the stated delivery window has passed, follow the agency’s missing-payment or refund-trace instructions. Start with IRS refund help for a federal payment.
5. The tracker or a notice tells you to contact the agency. Follow those instructions and any deadline. For federal help, use the IRS contact and assistance guide; for state help, use the state destination above.

Common refund questions

Reviewed October 7, 2026. Agency tools, processing estimates, and available tax years can change. Follow the official service’s current instructions.

Sources: IRS refund guidance; USAGov federal and state refund guidance; IRS amended-return guidance; North Carolina refund guidance; and the official state destinations linked above.