Check the IRS website first — it's the fastest way to locate your refund

The IRS has a tool called Where's My Refund? that shows the status of your 2020 return and refund. Go to irs.gov, find the "Refunds" section, and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once a day, usually overnight.

If your refund was issued more than a year ago (after mid-2021), it may no longer show in this tool. In that case, your refund was either deposited or mailed, and you'll need to take a different step — see the section below on refunds issued long ago.

The tool will tell you one of three things: your refund is still being processed, it's been approved and is on the way, or it's already been sent. If it says your refund was sent but you never received it, that's when you move to the next step.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov shows the current status of your 2020 refund and updates once daily.
  • If your refund was issued more than a year ago and doesn't show in the tool, contact the IRS directly by phone or mail to confirm whether it was sent.
  • A refund sent by mail can take up to two weeks to arrive after the IRS issues it, and checks can be lost or delayed by postal service.
  • If the IRS says your refund was sent but you never received it, you can request a trace or a replacement check through the IRS.
  • If you filed your 2020 return but the IRS has no record of it, you may need to resubmit or contact the IRS to locate it.

What to do if your refund was mailed but never arrived

Refunds sent by check can take up to two weeks to arrive after the IRS issues them. If the Where's My Refund tool says your refund was sent more than two weeks ago and you still haven't received it, contact the IRS directly.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main customer service line). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you the exact date the check was issued and the address it was sent to. If the address is wrong, that's often why the check didn't arrive.

If the address was correct but the check is still missing, the IRS can issue a replacement check. This usually takes four to six weeks. You'll need to sign a form (Form 3911, process for Taxpayer information Order, or a simpler form the IRS may send you) and return it by mail.

If the IRS has no record of your 2020 return

Sometimes the Where's My Refund tool says it has no record of your return at all. This can happen if the return was lost in the mail, if there was an error when you filed, or if you filed through a tax preparer who never actually submitted it.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to search for your return. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the date you filed ready. If they find it, they can tell you its status. If they don't find it, ask whether you need to file an amended return or a new 2020 return now.

If you used a tax preparer or software, contact them first — they may have records showing whether the return was submitted. If it wasn't, they can resubmit it. If you filed by mail and the IRS has no record, you may need to file again, though the IRS can sometimes help you avoid a duplicate filing penalty.

Refunds issued more than a year ago that don't show in the tool

If your 2020 return was processed long ago but the Where's My Refund tool no longer shows it, the refund was either deposited into your bank account or mailed to you as a check. At this point, the tool stops tracking it.

Check your bank statements from mid-2021 onward to see if the refund was deposited. Look for a deposit from "IRS TREAS 310" or similar language — that's how the IRS labels direct deposits. If you find it, your refund was received.

If you don't see a deposit and you never received a check, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. They can look up the original refund and tell you whether it was issued as a check or a direct deposit, and to which address or account. From there, you can request a replacement or trace the original check with the U.S. Postal Service.

What happens if your refund was lost in the mail

If the IRS confirms the check was mailed but you never received it, you have two options. The first is to request a trace through the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS can give you the check number and issue date; you can then file a claim with USPS to search for it. This takes several weeks and often doesn't locate the check.

The faster option is to ask the IRS for a replacement check. You'll sign a form confirming you never received the original, and the IRS will issue a new one. This usually takes four to six weeks. Once the replacement is issued, the original check becomes void — if the original later shows up, you should not cash it.

If someone else cashed your refund check

If you discover that someone forged your signature or cashed your refund check without your permission, contact the IRS when ready at 1-800-829-1040. Explain what happened and ask for a replacement check.

You should also file a report with your local police department and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. The IRS can issue a replacement, but the process may take longer if fraud is involved, and you may be asked to provide additional documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a 2020 refund if I'm just now filing?

If you're filing your 2020 return now, processing times vary. The IRS typically processes returns within 21 days if filed electronically and without errors. Mailed returns take longer. Once processed, the refund is usually issued within two weeks, though it may take longer if the IRS needs to verify information on your return.

Can I get my refund faster if I choose direct deposit instead of a check?

Direct deposit is faster than a mailed check — usually by one to two weeks. If you're filing now, you can choose direct deposit on your return. If your refund was already issued as a check, you cannot change it to direct deposit; you'd need to wait for the check or request a replacement.

What if the IRS says my refund was issued but I have no record of it anywhere?

This can mean the check was lost, the address on file was wrong, or the direct deposit went to a closed bank account. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your return information. They can confirm the method (check or direct deposit) and the address or account used, then help you request a replacement or trace the original.

Do I need to file my 2020 return if I'm past the important date?

Yes. The important date to claim a refund is three years from the original due date. For 2020 returns, you can still file and claim a refund through April 2024. After that date, any unclaimed refund goes to the U.S. Treasury. File as soon as you can to avoid losing the refund.

What if I filed my 2020 return but made a mistake on it?

If you made an error that affects your refund amount, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. Mail it to the IRS address for your state. Processing takes longer for amended returns — usually eight to twelve weeks. The IRS will recalculate your refund and issue a new one if the amendment increases it.