Free tool

Track your refund

Direct links to the IRS and to every state revenue department that levies an income tax. Every link on this page is checked automatically, because most such lists quietly rot.

Federal

IRS — Where’s My Refund?

Updated once daily, usually overnight. Checking more often will not move it along.

Check federal refund status

You will need your Social Security number or ITIN, your filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

State refund status

43 jurisdictions. Filter by name or two-letter code.

43 of 43 shown

No individual income tax, so nothing to track: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.

Common questions

How long should a refund take?

The IRS generally issues most refunds on electronically filed returns within about three weeks, and paper returns take substantially longer. State timelines vary widely. Returns that claim certain credits, that were filed on paper, or that need manual review take longer, and the IRS publishes current expectations each season.

Why has my refund status not changed?

The IRS tool updates once daily, usually overnight, so checking repeatedly during the day will not show anything new. If a return is under review the status can sit unchanged for weeks. That is not by itself a sign anything is wrong.

My refund is smaller than expected. What happened?

The most common causes are an offset against another federal or state debt, a maths adjustment made during processing, or a credit reduced or removed. The IRS sends a notice explaining any change, though it usually arrives after the deposit. If the explanation does not match your understanding of the return, it is worth reviewing before accepting it.

I filed on paper. When can I check?

Later than usual. Paper returns are entered manually before they appear in the online system, so there is normally nothing to see for several weeks after mailing. An amended return is slower still and is tracked through a separate IRS tool.

Why is my state not listed?

Nine states levy no individual income tax, so there is no return and no refund to track: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. If you moved during the year you may still have a part-year return due to a state you left.

Refund not what you expected?

If a refund was adjusted or a notice arrived explaining a change, it is worth understanding why before accepting it.