How to Check on Your 2024 Tax Refund

Where to check your refund status

The IRS has one official tool to check your 2024 refund: Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov. This is the fastest and most reliable way to see where your refund stands. You do not need to call or visit an office — the tool updates every 24 hours and tells you the exact status of your return.

To use it, go to irs.gov/refunds and select "Where's My Refund?" You will need three pieces of information: your Social Security number (or ITIN), your filing status from your tax return, and the exact refund amount you expected. The tool will show you one of three statuses: received, approved, or sent.

If you filed your return through a tax software company like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, that company may also show your refund status in your account. However, the IRS tool is the source of truth — the software companies pull their information from the IRS, so checking directly with the IRS is fastest.

Key Takeaways

The IRS tool "Where's My Refund?" on irs.gov is the official place to check your refund status and updates every 24 hours.
You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to use the tool.
A refund typically takes 21 days from the date the IRS receives your return, though some returns take longer if they need review.
If you chose direct deposit, the money goes to your bank account; if you chose a check, it arrives by mail and can take an additional week or two.
The IRS does not send refund status by text, email, or phone call — only through the Where's My Refund tool or by mail.

What the three refund statuses mean

Received means the IRS has your return but has not finished processing it yet. This is the first status you will see. Most returns stay in this status for a few days to a week while the IRS scans and sorts them.

Approved means the IRS has reviewed your return, found no problems, and decided to send your refund. Once you see this status, your refund is on the way. If you chose direct deposit, the money will land in your bank account within a few business days. If you chose a check, the IRS will mail it, and it typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days after approval.

Sent means your refund has left the IRS. For direct deposit, this means the money has been transferred to your bank — it may take one or two more business days to show up in your account depending on your bank. For a check, this means it has been mailed and is in transit.

How long refunds usually take

The IRS aims to process most returns and send refunds within 21 days of receiving your return. This 21-day window starts from the date the IRS receives your return, not the date you filed it. If you filed early in the tax season (January or February), your refund may arrive faster because the IRS has fewer returns to process. If you filed closer to the April important date, it may take closer to the full 21 days or longer.

Some returns take longer than 21 days. This happens when the IRS needs to review your return more carefully — for example, if you claimed a large refund, if there is a mismatch between your return and your W-2 forms, or if the IRS suspects fraud. The Where's My Refund tool will tell you if your return is under review.

Direct deposit is faster than a mailed check. If you chose direct deposit on your return, your refund arrives in your bank account as soon as the IRS approves it. If you chose a check, add another 7 to 10 business days for mail delivery.

What to do if your refund is delayed

Check the Where's My Refund tool first. If it shows your return is still being processed, wait. Most delays resolve on their own within a few more days. The tool will update you as soon as there is a change.

If the tool shows your return is under review, the IRS is checking something on your return. You do not need to do anything unless the IRS contacts you by mail. If the IRS needs more information from you, they will send you a letter explaining what they need and how to respond. Do not ignore these letters — respond within the important date given.

If more than 21 days have passed since you filed and the tool still shows "received," or if the tool has not updated in over a week, you can contact the IRS. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main customer service line) and have your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount ready. Wait times are long during tax season, so call early in the morning or later in the day for shorter waits.

Refunds sent to the wrong account or address

If you chose direct deposit but the money did not arrive in your bank account after the IRS marked it as sent, contact your bank first. Ask them to check if the deposit arrived under a different date or account. Banks sometimes process deposits with a delay, or the deposit may have gone to a closed account or old account number if you provided incorrect information on your return.

If your bank confirms the money never arrived, contact the IRS. Have your return and bank account information ready. The IRS can trace where the deposit went and may be able to reissue your refund as a check.

If you chose a mailed check and it never arrived, wait at least 10 business days after the IRS marked it as sent. Checks can take time in the mail. If it still has not arrived after that, contact the IRS and ask them to issue a replacement check or direct deposit instead.

Protecting yourself from refund scams

The IRS will never contact you by text, email, or phone call about your refund. If someone texts or emails you claiming to be from the IRS and asking for your refund information, it is a scam. Delete it and do not respond.

Scammers sometimes pose as tax software companies or the IRS to trick people into giving up their Social Security number or bank account information. Remember: the IRS only contacts people by mail, and only when there is a problem with your return. You do not need to give anyone your refund information to check on it — use the official Where's My Refund tool instead.

If you think you have been contacted by a scammer, report it to the IRS at irs.gov/report-fraud-scam or to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status on my phone?

Yes. The Where's My Refund tool works on phones and tablets. Go to irs.gov/refunds on your phone's web browser and select "Where's My Refund?" You will need the same information: Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.

What if I filed a joint return with my spouse?

Either spouse can check the refund status using their own Social Security number and the total refund amount shown on the return. The refund will go to whichever bank account or address is listed on the return, so make sure that information is correct before you file.

Why does the tool say my refund amount is different from what I calculated?

The IRS may have adjusted your refund if you made an error on your return, if you owe back taxes or student loans, or if you claimed a credit you were not may have access to to. The Where's My Refund tool does not explain the reason for changes — if you need details, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or wait for a letter from the IRS explaining the adjustment.

Can I cancel my refund and get the money another way?

Once the IRS has received your return, you cannot cancel the refund. If you chose direct deposit but want a check instead, or vice versa, you cannot change it. You will receive your refund the way you requested on your return. If the refund goes to the wrong account, you can contact the IRS to have it reissued as a check.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.