Where to check your 2019 refund status

The IRS has three ways to check on a 2019 tax refund. The fastest is the IRS website tool called "Where's My Refund?" at irs.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return, and the tool tells you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, or has issued the refund. This tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

If you prefer to call, the IRS refund hotline is 1-800-829-1954. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. Wait times are often long, especially during tax season, but the line operates year-round.

You can also mail a written request to the IRS, though this takes weeks. Include a copy of your 2019 return, your name, address, and phone number, and mail it to the address listed in the tax form instructions for your state.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov is the fastest way to check, updating once daily and requiring only your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
  • The IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954 works year-round but often has long wait times, especially during tax season.
  • If your 2019 return was never filed or you cannot find your refund amount, you will need to contact the IRS by phone or mail to start a trace.
  • A refund that has not been issued after six months may indicate the IRS is reviewing your return or needs more information from you.

What the tool tells you at each stage

"Where's My Refund?" shows one of three statuses. "Return Received" means the IRS has your return but has not started processing it yet. This is normal and can last several weeks. "Refund Approved" means the IRS has finished reviewing your return and approved the refund amount. "Refund Issued" means the IRS has sent the money to your bank account or is mailing a check.

The tool also shows the expected deposit date if your refund has been issued. If you chose direct deposit on your return, the money should arrive within one to two business days of that date. If you requested a check, it typically arrives within two to three weeks.

When a 2019 refund is taking longer than expected

The IRS normally issues refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, though this can stretch to six weeks or longer during busy periods. If your refund has not been issued after six months, the IRS may be reviewing your return for accuracy, requesting more information, or investigating a discrepancy.

Common reasons for delays include a mismatch between your return and your W-2 or 1099 forms, a missing or incorrect Social Security number, or a claim for a refundable tax credit that requires extra verification. If "Where's My Refund?" shows no status at all after six months, your return may not have been received or processed.

Contact the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1954 to request a "refund trace." This is a formal investigation into where your refund is. The IRS will ask for your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount, then search their records. A trace takes four to six weeks.

What to have ready before you check

Gather your 2019 tax return or a copy of it before you use "Where's My Refund?" You will need the exact refund amount shown on the return. If you filed electronically, you should have received a confirmation email with this number. If you filed by mail, look at the return itself or any notice the IRS sent you.

You will also need your Social Security number and your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household). These three pieces of information are all the tool requires.

Direct deposit versus check refunds

If you chose direct deposit on your 2019 return, the IRS deposits the refund directly into your bank account once it is issued. This is faster than a check and more find. The deposit usually arrives within one to two business days of the date shown in "Where's My Refund?"

If you requested a check, the IRS mails it to the address on your return. Checks typically take two to three weeks to arrive after the refund is issued. If your check does not arrive within four weeks of the issued date, contact the IRS to request a replacement check or to have the refund reissued by direct deposit instead.

If you never filed a 2019 return

If you did not file a 2019 return but believe you are owed a refund, you will need to file that return now, even though it is years late. The IRS does not have a record to search if no return was ever submitted. You can file a 2019 return at any time, and you can still receive a refund if you are owed one, though the IRS may take longer to process an old return.

You can file the 2019 return yourself using tax software, through a tax preparer, or by mailing a paper return to the IRS. Once you file, use "Where's My Refund?" to track the status the same way you would for a current-year return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my 2019 refund status if I filed jointly with someone else?

Yes. Use either spouse's Social Security number in "Where's My Refund?" The tool will show the same status either way. If you call the IRS, you can use either Social Security number as well, though the IRS may ask security questions to verify you are authorized to discuss the return.

What if "Where's My Refund?" says my return was not received?

This usually means the IRS has no record of your 2019 return. If you mailed it, it may have been lost in the mail. If you filed electronically, there may have been a transmission error. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1954 with your Social Security number and filing status. They can search their records and tell you whether the return arrived.

How long do I have to claim a 2019 refund?

You have three years from the original filing important date to claim a 2019 refund. The important date to file a 2019 return was April 15, 2020, so you have until April 15, 2023 to file and claim any refund owed. After that date, the IRS keeps the money.

Can I change my refund from a check to direct deposit?

If your refund has already been issued as a check, you cannot change it to direct deposit. You must cash or deposit the check when it arrives. For future refunds, you can update your banking information on your next tax return to receive refunds by direct deposit instead.