Where to check your 2020 refund

The IRS has three ways to check a 2020 tax refund: the IRS Where's My Refund tool on irs.gov, the IRS2Go mobile app, or by calling the IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954. Where's My Refund is the fastest option and updates every 24 hours after the IRS processes your return.

To use Where's My Refund, you need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return. If you filed electronically, the tool usually shows your status within 24 hours of the IRS accepting your return. If you mailed a paper return, it can take three to four weeks before the tool recognizes it.

The tool shows three stages: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return), "Refund Approved" (they've processed it and approved the refund), and "Refund Sent" (the money is on its way). Once it says "Refund Sent," the tool tells you the deposit date if you chose direct deposit, or the check mailing date if you requested a paper check.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool on irs.gov is the fastest way to check, updating every 24 hours after your return is accepted.
  • You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return to use the tool.
  • Electronic returns usually appear in the tool within 24 hours; paper returns take three to four weeks to show up.
  • Once your refund shows "Refund Sent," the tool displays the exact deposit date for direct deposit or mailing date for a check.
  • If the tool shows no record of your return after four weeks, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 to confirm they received it.

What the refund status messages actually mean

"Return Received" means the IRS has scanned your return into their system and it passed the initial checks for completeness. This does not mean they have reviewed it for accuracy or approved the refund yet. For electronic returns, this status appears within 24 hours. For paper returns, it can take three to four weeks.

"Refund Approved" means the IRS has finished reviewing your return, found no issues that need clarification, and calculated your refund amount. At this point, the refund is locked in—the amount will not change unless you filed incorrectly and the IRS catches it during a later audit. This stage usually takes one to two weeks after "Return Received."

"Refund Sent" is the final status. For direct deposit, this means the IRS has sent the money to your bank and gives you the exact date it will land in your account. For a check, it means the check has been printed and mailed, and the tool shows the date it was sent. Direct deposit refunds arrive within one to two business days of the date shown; checks take five to seven business days from the mailing date.

Why your 2020 refund might still be processing

The IRS processed 2020 returns in waves, and some took much longer than others. If your return included certain credits—the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)—the IRS held your refund for additional review. This is a legal requirement under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, and it added 21 days to the refund timeline for those returns.

If your 2020 return had errors, missing information, or conflicting data (for example, income reported by your employer did not match what you reported), the IRS flagged it for manual review. These returns move to the back of the queue and can take several months to process. The Where's My Refund tool will not show a status update while your return is in manual review—it may appear stuck on "Return Received."

Some 2020 returns were delayed because the IRS was processing a backlog from 2019 and early 2020 when the pandemic shut down offices. If your return was filed in early 2020 and you have not heard anything since, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1954 with your Social Security number and filing status ready.

If the tool says your refund was sent but you haven't received it

First, check your bank account for a pending deposit. Direct deposit refunds sometimes appear as "pending" for one to two business days before they clear. If the tool shows a deposit date that has passed and the money is not in your account, log into your bank's website or call the bank directly to confirm the deposit did not bounce or get rejected.

Deposits can be rejected if your bank account information changed, if the account was closed, or if there was a typo in the account number on your return. If your bank rejected the deposit, the IRS will mail you a check instead, but this takes an additional two to three weeks. The Where's My Refund tool does not always update to show that a deposit was rejected, so you may need to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 to find out.

If you chose a paper check and the tool shows it was mailed more than seven business days ago, the check may have been lost in the mail. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 and request a trace on the check. They will investigate whether it was delivered and, if it was not, issue a replacement check. This process takes four to six weeks.

What to do if Where's My Refund shows no record of your return

If you filed electronically and the tool shows nothing after 24 hours, check that you entered your information correctly—a wrong Social Security number or filing status will return no results. Try again with each piece of information you used on your return.

If you filed a paper return and the tool shows nothing after four weeks, the IRS may not have received it yet, or it may have been lost in the mail. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 and have your Social Security number, filing status, and the date you mailed the return ready. They can search their system by these details and tell you whether they have a record of it. If they do not, you will need to file again or request a copy of your original return from your tax preparer or accountant.

Do not file a second return before calling the IRS. Filing twice can trigger an audit and delay your refund further. The IRS will tell you on the phone whether a second filing is necessary.

How to get a transcript of your 2020 return if you need proof

If you need to show proof of your refund amount or filing status for a loan, housing, or benefit program, you can order a free transcript from the IRS. The Account Transcript shows your filing status, refund amount, and whether the return was filed electronically or by mail. The Tax Return Transcript shows the actual numbers from your return—income, deductions, credits, and tax paid.

You can order a transcript online at irs.gov/transcripts without logging in, by mail using Form 4506-C, or by calling 1-800-829-1040. Online ordering is fastest—you can print or read the transcript when ready. By mail, it takes five to ten business days. The transcript is free and counts as official proof of your filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's refund status?

No. The Where's My Refund tool requires the filer's Social Security number and exact refund amount. If you are a spouse, parent, or representative, you will need a Power of Attorney (Form 2848) filed with the IRS before they will discuss the return with you. Call 1-800-829-1954 to ask about filing a Power of Attorney.

What if I filed my 2020 return in 2021 or later?

The Where's My Refund tool works for any return filed in any year. Enter your information as it appears on that 2020 return, and the tool will show the status. If the return is more than a year old and still shows "Return Received," contact the IRS—it may be stuck in manual review.

Does Where's My Refund work on weekends?

Yes, the tool is available 24/7. However, the IRS only updates refund statuses Monday through Friday, so a check on Saturday or Sunday will show the same status as Friday. The phone line 1-800-829-1954 is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time.

What if I filed jointly and my spouse wants to check the refund?

Either spouse can check the refund using the same Social Security number and refund amount. The tool does not distinguish between filers on a joint return—it shows the same status to anyone who enters the correct information. If you want to restrict access, you would need to file separately, which is not practical after the fact.