The IRS has your refund information, but the phone number depends on what you need to know

If you want to know where your tax refund is, the IRS is the only source that can tell you. You cannot call your bank, your employer, or the tax software company you used — they do not have access to refund status. The IRS tracks every refund from the moment it processes your return through the moment it lands in your account or arrives by mail.

The fastest way to check is online through the IRS website, which updates every 24 hours. If you need to speak to someone, the IRS has a dedicated phone line for refund questions, but wait times vary widely depending on the time of year and how busy the IRS is that day. The phone number and the online tool are both free.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS tracks your refund status through its online tool (Where's My Refund?) and by phone at 1-800-829-1040, and both update every 24 hours.
  • You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return to check status by phone or online.
  • A refund typically takes 21 days to process after the IRS receives your return, but this timeline varies if the IRS needs to verify information on your return.
  • If you filed on paper, mailed your return, or the IRS is reviewing your return for errors, your refund will take longer than the standard 21-day window.
  • The IRS does not send text messages or emails asking you to verify refund information — any such message is a scam.

Check your refund status online first

The IRS tool called Where's My Refund? is available on the IRS website at irs.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household), and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return. The tool then tells you the current status of your refund and, if it has been processed, the date it will arrive.

This tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight. If you checked yesterday and the status has not changed, checking again today may show new information. The tool works for federal refunds only — if you are waiting for a state refund, you will need to check your state's tax agency website instead.

You can also read the IRS2Go mobile app, which has the same Where's My Refund? tool built in. The app is free and available on both iOS and Android.

Call the IRS refund hotline if you cannot use the online tool

The IRS phone number for refund status is 1-800-829-1040. This line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready when you call.

Wait times are longest in February, March, and April, when the IRS is processing the highest volume of returns. If you call during those months, expect to wait 30 minutes to over an hour. Calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon sometimes means shorter waits than calling midday.

The automated system will ask you to enter your information using your phone keypad. If you need to speak to a representative, you can request one, but this adds to your wait time. For most refund status questions, the automated system can give you the same information a representative would.

What the IRS will tell you when you call or check online

The IRS gives you one of three status messages: Return Received, Refund Approved, or Refund Sent. Return Received means the IRS has your return but has not finished processing it yet. Refund Approved means the IRS has processed your return and approved your refund, and it will show you the date the refund will arrive. Refund Sent means the IRS has sent your refund to your bank or by mail, and it shows the date it was sent.

If your refund status has not updated in more than 21 days after you filed, or if the tool tells you to call the IRS, there may be an issue with your return. This can happen if the IRS needs to verify information, if there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what the IRS has on file, or if there is a delay in processing.

Reasons your refund might be delayed

The standard 21-day processing time assumes you filed electronically and your return had no errors or missing information. Several things can push your refund past 21 days. If you filed on paper and mailed your return, add 2 to 3 weeks to the processing time just for the IRS to receive and scan it. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until mid-February, even if your return is otherwise complete.

The IRS may also delay your refund if it detects a discrepancy — for example, if the income you reported does not match what your employer reported on your W-2, or if you claimed a dependent that the IRS cannot verify. In these cases, the IRS will contact you by mail with what information it needs. Do not wait for a phone call; the IRS contacts people by mail, not by phone, when there is a problem with a return.

If you owe back taxes, child support, or student loans in default, the IRS may offset your refund to pay those debts. The IRS will send you a notice in the mail explaining the offset before it happens.

Protect yourself from refund scams

Scammers often pose as the IRS to steal refund information or money. The IRS will never contact you by text message, email, or social media about your refund. The IRS contacts people by mail only, and only if there is a problem with your return that needs your attention. If you receive a text or email claiming to be from the IRS and asking you to verify your refund information or click a link, it is a scam.

Do not give your Social Security number, bank account number, or refund amount to anyone who calls you claiming to be from the IRS, even if they have information that sounds legitimate. Hang up and call the IRS yourself at 1-800-829-1040 to verify whether the IRS actually needs to contact you.

What to do if the IRS says there is a problem with your return

If the Where's My Refund? tool or the phone line tells you to contact the IRS, or if more than 21 days have passed and your status has not changed, the IRS has likely flagged your return for review. The IRS will send you a letter in the mail explaining what information it needs from you. Read the letter carefully and follow the instructions it gives.

Do not call the IRS again until you have received the letter. The phone representative cannot tell you what the issue is if the IRS has not finished reviewing your return yet. Once you receive the letter, follow its instructions — usually this means sending documents to the address on the letter or calling a specific number listed in the letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a refund to show up in my bank account after the IRS says it was sent?

If the IRS sent your refund by direct deposit, it usually arrives in your bank account within one to two business days after the IRS sends it. If the IRS sent it by check, it takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail, depending on where you live and how fast the postal service is moving.

Can I call my bank to ask about my refund if the IRS says it was sent?

Your bank can tell you whether a deposit has arrived, but they cannot tell you the status of a refund that has not arrived yet. If the IRS says your refund was sent but your bank has not received it after the expected number of days, call the IRS again to report it as missing.

What if I filed my taxes through a tax preparation company — can I call them about my refund?

Tax preparation companies like H&R Block or TurboTax do not have access to your refund status. They can tell you whether they successfully submitted your return to the IRS, but only the IRS can tell you where your refund is. Call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

Do I need to do anything if my refund is delayed past 21 days?

Check the Where's My Refund? tool or call 1-800-829-1040 to see if the IRS has updated your status. If it says to contact the IRS or if the status has not changed in more than 21 days, wait for a letter from the IRS in the mail. Do not call repeatedly — the IRS will contact you by mail if it needs information from you.

What if I never received my refund check in the mail?

If the IRS says your refund was sent by check but you never received it, wait 10 business days from the date the IRS says it was sent. If it still has not arrived, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report it as missing. The IRS can issue a replacement check or send the refund by direct deposit instead.