How to track your refund status
The fastest way to find your refund is to use the tracking tool built into the system that issued it. For federal tax refunds, that's the IRS Where's My Refund tool. For state tax refunds, each state has its own tracker. For refunds from retailers, banks, or payment processors, you log into your account on their website or app and look at your transaction history.
Each tracker works the same way: you enter identifying information (usually your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount for tax refunds; your order number or account details for others), and the system shows you the current status and expected arrival date. The information updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day won't show you anything new.
The status you see will be one of a few standard messages: processing, approved, sent to your bank, or delivered. "Processing" means the issuer is still reviewing your claim. "Approved" means they've confirmed the refund but haven't sent it yet. "Sent to your bank" means it's in the payment system. "Delivered" means it arrived at your financial institution.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS Where's My Refund tool, your state's tax agency website, or your retailer's account page are the only places that have real-time refund status.
- Refund status updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking hourly won't show progress.
- A refund sent to your bank account takes three to five business days to appear after the status changes to "sent to your bank."
- If your refund shows as sent but hasn't arrived after five business days, contact your bank to confirm they received the deposit.
- Refunds issued by check or card take longer than bank deposits and depend on mail delivery or card processing times.
Where to look for each type of refund
Federal tax refunds: Go to irs.gov and select "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 return. The tool shows status and an expected deposit date.
State tax refunds: Each state's department of revenue or taxation has its own tracker. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find the right page. You'll typically need your Social Security number and refund amount. Some states also let you check by phone.
Retailer or online store refunds: Log into your account on the retailer's website or app, go to your order history, and click on the order you returned. The status will show whether the refund is processing, approved, or sent. If you don't have an account, look for a tracking link in your confirmation email.
Bank or payment app refunds: Open your banking app or log into your bank's website, go to your transaction history or activity feed, and find the refund. The status will show there. If you used a payment app like PayPal or Venmo, log into that app instead.
What each status message actually means
Processing or Under Review: The issuer is checking your claim. For tax refunds, this can take weeks while they verify your return. For retailer refunds, this usually takes a few days while they confirm the return was received and the item meets their policy.
Approved or Accepted: Your refund has been cleared. The issuer has confirmed you're owed the money and is preparing to send it. This stage typically lasts one to three business days before the refund moves to the next step.
Sent to Bank or In Transit: The refund has been submitted to the payment system. If it's going to a bank account via ACH (the standard electronic transfer), it will arrive in three to five business days. If it's a wire transfer, it may arrive the same day or next business day. If it's being mailed as a check, add five to ten business days for postal delivery.
Delivered or Completed: The refund has reached your bank or payment account. You should see it in your balance when ready, though it may take a few hours to show in your available balance if your bank processes deposits in batches.
Why your refund might be delayed
Tax refunds can stall if your return has errors, if your identity couldn't be verified, or if the IRS is reviewing your claim for fraud indicators. The tracker will sometimes show a message like "We need more information" or "Your return is being reviewed." If you see this, follow the instructions on the tracker page or check your email for a letter from the IRS.
Retailer refunds delay when the return hasn't been received at the warehouse yet, when the item doesn't match the return policy, or when the refund is being held pending a chargeback investigation. Check your email for any messages from the retailer asking for more information.
Bank refunds can be slow if you provided the wrong account number, if your bank is flagging the deposit as suspicious, or if there's a hold on your account. If your refund shows as sent but hasn't arrived after five business days, call your bank and give them the refund reference number from the tracker.
What to do if your refund doesn't arrive
First, confirm the status hasn't changed. Check the tracker again and look for any new messages or instructions. If the status still says "sent" or "delivered" but the money isn't in your account, wait one more business day—deposits sometimes take longer to post than the tracker estimates.
If it's been five business days since the status changed to "sent" and the money still isn't there, contact the issuer. For tax refunds, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. For retailer refunds, use the contact form on their website or call their customer service number. For bank refunds, call your bank directly. Have your refund reference number or tracking number ready.
When you contact them, ask three things: whether they have a record of sending the refund, what the reference number is, and whether they can see it in your bank's receiving system. If they sent it but your bank didn't receive it, your bank will need to investigate. If they never sent it, ask them to resend it or explain why it was denied.
Refund timing by method
| Refund Method | Time to Appear After Status Changes to "Sent" | Where to Track |
|---|---|---|
| Bank account (ACH) | 3 to 5 business days | Your bank app or online banking |
| Wire transfer | Same day or next business day | Your bank app or online banking |
| Check by mail | 5 to 10 business days plus mail time | Tracker shows mailing date; check mail |
| Prepaid card or gift card | 1 to 3 business days | Card issuer's website or app |
| Original payment method (retailer) | 3 to 5 business days | Your bank or card issuer's app |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I speed up my refund?
No. Once a refund is in the system, the timeline is set by the payment method and the issuer's processing schedule. Choosing a bank deposit instead of a check is faster, but you can't change that after you've submitted your claim. The only exception is if there's an error holding up your refund—fixing that error can move it forward.
What if the tracker says my refund was delivered but I never got it?
Call your bank when ready. "Delivered" means the issuer sent it, but your bank may have rejected it, held it, or sent it to the wrong account. Your bank can see whether they received the deposit and where it went. Have your refund reference number ready.
Do I need to do anything to receive my refund?
No. Once you've submitted your claim and the status shows "sent," the refund will arrive automatically. You don't need to confirm anything or take any action. If the issuer needs more information from you, they'll contact you by email or mail.
Why does my refund tracker show a different amount than I expected?
Check your original claim or receipt. Refunds are sometimes reduced if you have unpaid taxes, student loans, or child support owed, or if the item you returned was only partially refunded due to restocking fees or damage. The tracker amount is what you'll actually receive.
How long do refunds stay in processing?
Tax refunds typically stay in processing for one to three weeks, though complex returns can take longer. Retailer refunds usually process within five to ten business days. If your refund has been processing for longer than the issuer's stated timeline, contact them to ask why.