Check your federal or state tax refund status | USAGov

If you expect a federal or state tax refund, you can track its status. Learn how, and what information you will need.

Check your federal tax refund status

Before checking on your refund, have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund ready. 

Use the IRS Where’s My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours.

You can call the IRS to check on the status of your refund. Wait times to speak with a representative can be long. But you can avoid the wait by using the automated phone system. Follow the message prompts when you call.

Find out when to expect your federal tax refund

Refunds are generally issued within 21 days of when you electronically filed your tax return, and longer for paper returns. Find out why your refund may be delayed or may not be the amount you expected.

Check your state tax refund status

Contact your state’s taxation department to learn about tracking your state tax refund status.