The Where's My Refund tool goes down for maintenance regularly, and you can check its status before you spend time troubleshooting

The IRS Where's My Refund tool is offline for scheduled maintenance most nights between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Eastern time, and for several hours on Sundays. If you cannot access it outside those windows, the tool may be experiencing an outage. You can confirm the current status by checking the IRS System Status page, which lists all known issues in real time, or by calling the IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954.

The tool itself does not go down often outside of scheduled maintenance. If you are locked out during business hours on a weekday, the problem is usually on your end—a browser cache issue, an incorrect PIN, or a temporary connection problem. The steps below will help you determine which one, and what to do next.

Key Takeaways

  • The Where's My Refund tool closes for maintenance every night from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. Eastern and all day Sunday, so check the time before assuming it is down.
  • The IRS System Status page shows real-time outages and maintenance windows, and is the fastest way to confirm whether the tool itself is the problem.
  • If the tool is up but you cannot access it, clearing your browser cache and cookies usually fixes the issue within minutes.
  • The IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954 can tell you your refund status by phone if the website remains inaccessible, though wait times are typically 30 to 60 minutes during tax season.

Check the IRS System Status page first

Before you try anything else, visit IRS.gov/status to see whether the Where's My Refund tool is currently down for maintenance or experiencing an outage. This page updates in real time and lists the exact tools affected, when the outage began, and when the IRS expects service to return. If the tool is listed as offline, you will see the reason and an estimated time to restore it.

If the status page shows the tool is up and running, the problem is almost certainly on your device or browser, not with the IRS system. Move to the next section to fix it.

Clear your browser cache and cookies

The Where's My Refund tool sometimes fails to load properly if your browser is holding onto old data. Close your browser completely, then clear your cache and cookies before opening it again. The steps differ by browser:

  • Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select "All time" under Time range, check Cookies and Cached images and files, then click Clear data.
  • Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select "Everything" under Time range, then click Clear Now.
  • Safari: Click Safari in the menu bar, select Clear History, choose "all history" from the dropdown, then click Clear History.
  • Edge: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete, select "All time" under Time range, check Cookies and cached images and files, then click Clear now.

After clearing, go back to IRS.gov and try the Where's My Refund tool again. This resolves the issue in most cases where the website appears down but the IRS system is actually running.

Try a different browser or device

If clearing the cache did not work, open the Where's My Refund tool in a different browser—or on a different device entirely, like a phone or tablet. This tells you whether the problem is specific to one browser or device, or whether it is affecting your access everywhere.

If the tool works on a different browser or device, the issue is with your original browser's settings or extensions. Try disabling any ad blockers, VPNs, or security extensions you have installed, then try the tool again in your original browser. Some of these tools block parts of the IRS website by mistake.

If the tool does not work on any device or browser, and the IRS System Status page shows the tool is up, contact the IRS directly by phone.

Call the IRS refund hotline if the website remains down

The IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954 can tell you your refund status over the phone without using the website. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. Have these ready before you call, because the automated system asks for them when ready.

Wait times vary sharply depending on the time of year. During peak tax season (February through April), expect to wait 30 to 60 minutes or longer. Outside tax season, wait times are usually under 15 minutes. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.

If you reach a live representative, they can also tell you whether your refund has been issued, when it was sent, and what method it was sent by (direct deposit or check). This is the most reliable way to get your status if the website is genuinely unavailable.

What to do if your refund status shows as pending

If you can access the Where's My Refund tool but it shows your refund as "pending" or "processing," the tool is working correctly—your refund straightforward has not been issued yet. The IRS processes most refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, though some take longer if the return requires review or correction.

Do not call the IRS about a pending refund unless it has been more than 21 days since you filed. The refund hotline cannot speed up processing, and calling during that window ties up the line for people with actual problems. Check the tool again in a few days instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Where's My Refund tool down right now?

Check the IRS System Status page at IRS.gov/status to see the current status. If it shows the tool is up but you cannot access it, clear your browser cache and try again. If the status page shows an outage, the IRS will post an estimated time to restore service.

Why does the Where's My Refund tool close on Sundays?

The IRS performs system maintenance on Sundays and closes the tool for the entire day. This is scheduled downtime, not an outage. The tool reopens Monday morning at 5 a.m. Eastern time.

Can I get my refund status without using the website?

Yes. Call the IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954 with your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. A representative can tell you your status over the phone, though wait times are longer during tax season.

What if I filed my return weeks ago and the tool still says pending?

If more than 21 days have passed since you filed, your return may be held for review or correction. Call the IRS at 800-829-1954 to find out why. Do not assume the tool is broken—pending refunds are normal and usually resolve within the 21-day window.