How to check the status of your 2019 refund right now
The IRS has a tool called Where's My Refund? that tells you exactly where your 2019 return stands. Go to irs.gov, find the "Refunds" section, and click "Where's My Refund?" You'll need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. It will show you one of three statuses: your return is being processed, your refund has been approved and a payment date has been set, or there's a problem that needs your attention. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the tool will also show you the exact date your money will hit your bank account.
If you filed a paper return by mail, the tool may not have your information yet. Paper returns take longer to enter the system — usually three to four weeks before the IRS can track them at all.
Key Takeaways
- Use the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool at irs.gov to see your refund status and payment date in real time.
- Refunds filed electronically typically arrive within 21 days if you chose direct deposit; paper returns take six to eight weeks total.
- If your refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe, the Where's My Refund? tool will tell you why and what to do next.
- The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive returns, so filing early does not speed up your specific refund once it's in the system.
Why your 2019 refund might be taking longer than expected
Some returns hit a delay in the IRS system. Common reasons include a mismatch between the income you reported and what your employer reported to the IRS, a missing or incorrect Social Security number for you or a dependent, or a math error on the return itself. The Where's My Refund? tool will tell you if one of these issues is holding up your refund.
If the tool says there's a problem, the IRS will also send you a letter in the mail explaining what they need from you. Do not ignore this letter — it will have specific instructions on how to fix the issue and a important date for responding. Most problems can be resolved by sending in a corrected form or documentation, and your refund will process once the IRS receives it.
Another reason for delay: if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until mid-February, even if everything on your return is correct. This is a security measure to prevent fraud. If your 2019 return included either of these credits, your refund cannot arrive before mid-February 2020.
Timeline: when to expect your money based on how you filed
| How you filed | Payment method | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic (e-filed) | Direct deposit to bank account | Within 21 days |
| Electronic (e-filed) | Check by mail | Within 21 days of approval, plus mail delivery time |
| Paper return by mail | Direct deposit | 6 to 8 weeks total |
| Paper return by mail | Check by mail | 6 to 8 weeks total, plus mail delivery time |
These timeframes assume your return has no errors and does not trigger any IRS reviews. If you filed electronically with direct deposit, you have the fastest path — the IRS can move money directly into your bank account without printing or mailing anything. If you chose a check by mail, add another week or two for postal delivery depending on where you live.
Paper returns take much longer because IRS staff have to open the envelope, read your handwriting, and type all the information into their system by hand. This is why the IRS encourages electronic filing — it's faster for you and cheaper for them.
What to do if your refund is significantly delayed
If the Where's My Refund? tool shows your refund should have arrived but it hasn't, the next step depends on your payment method. If you chose direct deposit, check with your bank first — sometimes a deposit is delayed on the bank's end, or it may have gone to an old account if you changed banks since you filed. Call your bank's customer service line and ask them to search for any pending IRS deposits.
If your bank confirms no deposit is coming, or if you chose a check by mail and it hasn't arrived after the expected timeframe plus two weeks for mail delivery, contact the IRS directly. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main customer service line) and have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. They can investigate whether the payment was sent and, if it was, whether it was lost in the mail.
If the IRS issued a check and it was lost or stolen, they can stop payment on that check and issue a replacement. This process takes time, but the IRS will walk you through it. Keep the Where's My Refund? tool information handy when you call — it shows the IRS exactly what they sent and when.
If your 2019 return was never filed
If you have not filed your 2019 tax return yet, you can still file it now. There is no important date to file a return and claim a refund — the IRS will hold your refund indefinitely. However, if you owe taxes instead of getting a refund, penalties and interest accrue the longer you wait, so filing sooner is better.
You can file your 2019 return using tax software, a tax professional, or by paper form. The IRS website (irs.gov) has free filing options if your income was below a certain threshold in 2019. Once you file, use the Where's My Refund? tool to track your refund the same way you would for a return filed on time.
Direct deposit versus check: which gets to you faster
Direct deposit is always faster. When you choose direct deposit, the IRS sends your refund electronically to your bank, and the money appears in your account within the timeframe shown in the Where's My Refund? tool. There is no waiting for a check to be printed or for the mail to deliver it.
A check takes longer because the IRS has to print it, put it in an envelope, and send it through the postal service. Even after the IRS approves your refund, you are waiting for the physical check to arrive. Checks can also be lost, stolen, or delayed in the mail. If you are expecting a check and it does not arrive, you have to contact the IRS to report it missing and request a replacement, which adds weeks to the process.
If you filed your 2019 return by check but wish you had chosen direct deposit, you cannot change it for that year. For future returns, you can switch to direct deposit by entering your bank account and routing number on your tax form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I speed up my refund by calling the IRS?
No. The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive them, and calling does not move your return to the front of the line. The only reason to call is if there is a specific problem (a missing document, an error on your return, or a lost check) that is preventing your refund from processing. Otherwise, the Where's My Refund? tool is your best source of information.
What if I filed my 2019 return but never got a refund?
First, check the Where's My Refund? tool to confirm the IRS received your return and processed it. If the tool shows your refund was issued but you never received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. If you owed taxes instead of getting a refund, you would not receive any money back. You can also request a transcript of your account from the IRS to see exactly what happened to your return.
Can the IRS send my refund to a different bank account than the one I listed?
No. The IRS sends your refund only to the bank account you listed on your tax return. If you changed banks after filing, the deposit will go to your old account. Contact that bank to see if they can redirect it, or contact the IRS to request a check instead. For future refunds, update your bank information on your next tax return.
Why does the IRS hold refunds for people who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit?
Federal law requires the IRS to hold refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit until mid-February each year. This is a fraud prevention measure. Even if your return is completely correct, your refund cannot be released before this date if you claimed either credit.