Where to check your 2020 refund status

The IRS has three ways to check a 2020 refund: the IRS website tool called "Where's My Refund?", the IRS2Go mobile app, or by phone at 1-800-829-1954. All three pull from the same system and show the same information. The website tool is fastest if you have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your 2020 tax return handy.

"Where's My Refund?" is at irs.gov/refunds. You enter your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the refund amount. The tool then tells you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, has approved it, or has sent it. If your refund was sent, it shows the date and method — direct deposit to your bank account or a check mailed to your address.

If you filed jointly with a spouse, either spouse can check using their own Social Security number. The tool will show the same status for both. If you cannot remember the exact refund amount, the phone line can help — an IRS representative can look it up using your name and address instead.

Key Takeaways

  • "Where's My Refund?" at irs.gov/refunds is the fastest way to check, and it updates once per day, usually overnight.
  • The tool shows four possible statuses: received, processing, approved, or sent — and tells you the payment method and date if it was sent.
  • If your refund shows as sent but you have not received it, contact your bank first to confirm the deposit did not arrive, then call the IRS.
  • For a 2020 return filed in 2021, the IRS may still be processing if you filed late or if your return had errors that needed correction.

What each status message means

Received means the IRS has your return but has not started processing it yet. This is normal for the first few days after you file. The tool will update to show processing within a week or two.

Processing means the IRS is reviewing your return for errors and checking that the information matches their records. This stage can take weeks, especially if the IRS needs to verify income with your employer or if there are discrepancies. During this time, the tool may not show a refund date yet.

Approved means the IRS has finished reviewing your return and determined you are due a refund. The tool will show the date the refund will be sent and whether it will be deposited to your bank account or mailed as a check. Direct deposits usually arrive within one to two business days of the date shown.

Sent means the refund has left the IRS. If it was direct deposited, it should be in your bank account by the date shown. If it was mailed, allow up to two weeks from the date shown for the check to arrive, depending on mail speed in your area.

If your refund is delayed or missing

A 2020 refund that has not arrived by now is unusual, but it can happen. The first step is to confirm the refund was actually sent. Log into "Where's My Refund?" again and check whether the status still shows "sent" with a date. If it does not, the IRS may still be processing — scroll down on the tool's results page to see if there is a message explaining a delay.

If the status shows the refund was sent as a direct deposit, contact your bank and give them the date shown on the IRS tool. Ask whether the deposit arrived on that date or later. Banks can see deposits that came in weeks or months ago. If your bank confirms the deposit never arrived, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 with your return information and the date shown on the tool. The IRS can investigate whether the deposit was sent to the wrong account.

If the status shows the refund was mailed as a check, wait until two weeks after the date shown on the tool have passed. If the check has not arrived, contact the IRS. The IRS can issue a replacement check, though this takes additional time. Do not cash a replacement check if the original arrives later — you would be receiving the refund twice.

If "Where's My Refund?" shows no status at all or says the return cannot be found, your 2020 return may not have been received or processed. This can happen if you filed by mail and the envelope was lost, or if there was an error in how you addressed it. Call the IRS to confirm whether they have your return on file.

Why some 2020 refunds took longer

The IRS processed 2020 returns more slowly than usual because of staffing shortages and a backlog of prior-year returns. If you filed your 2020 return in early 2021, it may have been held in a queue for months before processing began. Returns filed later in 2021 were sometimes processed faster because the backlog had cleared.

Certain situations also slowed processing. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS was required by law to hold your return until mid-February 2021 before processing it, even if you filed earlier. If your return had any discrepancies — a mismatched name, a wrong Social Security number, or income that did not match what your employer reported — the IRS had to investigate before approving the refund.

If you amended your 2020 return (filed a Form 1040-X), that amended return was processed separately and usually took longer than the original return. The IRS processes amended returns in the order they are received, and there was a significant backlog of amended returns in 2021 and 2022.

How to avoid delays on future refunds

File electronically rather than by mail. Electronic returns are received and processed faster, and errors are caught sooner. If you cannot file electronically yourself, many libraries and community organizations offer free tax preparation services that file electronically.

Double-check your Social Security number, filing status, and income figures before you file. Mismatches between your return and IRS records cause delays. If you changed your name, address, or bank account, make sure your return reflects the current information.

If you are due a refund, choose direct deposit instead of a mailed check. Direct deposits arrive faster and are more reliable. You will need your bank account number and routing number, which you can find on a blank check or by calling your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my 2020 refund status if I filed jointly with my spouse?

Yes. Either spouse can check using their own Social Security number at "Where's My Refund?". The tool will show the same status for both. If you filed jointly and one spouse's Social Security number does not work, try the other spouse's number.

What should I do if the IRS says my refund was sent but I never received it?

If it was direct deposited, contact your bank first — they can confirm whether the deposit arrived. If it was mailed as a check, wait two weeks from the date shown on the tool. If it still has not arrived, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 to request a replacement check or investigate the missing deposit.

How long does it usually take to get a refund after the IRS approves it?

Direct deposits usually arrive within one to two business days of the approval date shown on the tool. Mailed checks take up to two weeks, depending on mail delivery in your area. Some checks take longer if mail is slow in your region.

Why does "Where's My Refund?" say my return cannot be found?

This usually means the IRS did not receive your return or it was filed under the wrong name or Social Security number. If you filed by mail, the envelope may have been lost. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 to confirm whether your return is in their system and to find out next steps.

Can I get my 2020 refund faster by calling the IRS?

No. Calling the IRS does not speed up processing. The phone line can tell you the status and help if your refund is missing, but it cannot move your return ahead in the queue. The only way to avoid delays is to file electronically and correctly the first time.