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How to Track a Tax Refund Using IRS Get My Payment

By Tanika Patel
9 minute read

What Get My Payment Does and How to Use It

Get My Payment is a tool on the IRS website that shows you where your federal tax refund is in the processing pipeline. It tells you whether the IRS has received your return, whether they have approved it, and when the money will land in your bank account or arrive by mail. You do not need to create an account or log in — you enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status, and the tool pulls your refund status from the IRS database in real time.

The tool works for refunds from tax returns you filed yourself, refunds from amended returns (Form 1040-X), and Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) from 2020 and 2021. It does not work for refunds related to credits you claimed on a prior-year return or for payments the IRS sent you before the tool existed. The IRS updates Get My Payment once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will show the same information.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment shows your refund status at irs.gov/payments — no login required, just your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status.
  • The tool displays three possible statuses: the IRS is still processing your return, your refund has been approved and a deposit date is set, or there is a problem with your return that requires action from you.
  • If Get My Payment says your refund was deposited but the money has not arrived, wait five business days after the stated deposit date before contacting your bank.
  • If the tool says there is an issue with your return, the IRS will also mail you a letter explaining what is wrong and what documents or information you need to send.
  • Get My Payment updates once per day, so checking it multiple times in one day will show identical information.

How to Access Get My Payment on the IRS Website

Go to irs.gov and look for the "Get My Payment" link on the homepage, or search for "Get My Payment" in the search box. The link takes you to a page that asks for three pieces of information: your Social Security number, your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format, and your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household). Enter the information exactly as it appears on your tax return.

After you submit, the tool displays your refund status within seconds. If the IRS does not find a match for your information, double-check that you entered your Social Security number and date of birth correctly. A common mistake is entering the wrong filing status — if you filed jointly with a spouse, select "married filing jointly" even if you are now divorced or separated. If you still cannot find your return, it may not have been received by the IRS yet, or there may be a problem with how it was filed.

What Each Refund Status Message Means

Get My Payment displays one of three main statuses. "Return Received" means the IRS has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. This is the most common status in the first two to three weeks after you file. The tool will not show you a deposit date yet. "Approved" means the IRS has reviewed your return, found no problems, and determined how much you are owed. The tool will show you the date the IRS will deposit the money into your bank account or the date a check will be mailed to you. "There is an issue" means the IRS found something on your return that does not match their records or that requires clarification — for example, a missing signature, a Social Security number mismatch, or a discrepancy between what you reported and what an employer or bank reported to the IRS.

If you see "There is an issue," the IRS will mail you a letter (usually within two weeks) that explains the problem and tells you what to do next. Do not ignore this letter. It will include instructions for sending documents, calling a phone number, or visiting a local IRS office. The letter will also give you a deadline for responding. If you do not respond by that date, the IRS may deny your refund or delay it indefinitely.

When Your Refund Should Arrive After Approval

Once Get My Payment shows an "Approved" status with a deposit date, the IRS will send the money by one of two methods. If you provided a bank account number on your tax return (direct deposit), the IRS deposits the refund into that account on or shortly after the date shown. If you did not provide banking information, the IRS mails a check to the address on your return. A mailed check typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days after the date shown, though mail delivery times vary by location.

If the deposit date has passed and the money has not arrived in your bank account, wait five business days after the stated date before contacting your bank. Banks sometimes take a few extra days to post deposits, especially if the deposit arrives on a weekend or holiday. If five business days have passed and the money still has not arrived, call your bank to confirm they received the deposit. If your bank says they did not receive it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the issue.

What to Do If Get My Payment Cannot Find Your Return

If you enter your information correctly and Get My Payment says it cannot find your return, the most likely reason is that the IRS has not received it yet. Tax returns typically arrive at the IRS within one to three weeks of when you file, depending on whether you filed electronically or by mail. If you filed by mail, allow up to four weeks. If you filed electronically through a tax software or tax preparer, the return should arrive within a few days.

If you filed more than four weeks ago and Get My Payment still cannot find your return, check whether you received a confirmation from the IRS. If you filed electronically, you should have received an email or on-screen confirmation with an acceptance number. If you filed by mail, you may not receive any confirmation unless you included a Form 13909 (Taxpayer Complaint About IRS Employee Actions) or requested certified mail. If you have no confirmation, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit a local IRS office to ask whether your return was received.

Reasons Your Refund Might Be Delayed or Flagged

The IRS delays or flags refunds for several common reasons. 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 approved. This delay applies every year and is not a sign of a problem. If you reported a loss on a business or rental property, the IRS may take longer to review your return because those returns require more scrutiny. If your return shows a refund that is significantly larger or smaller than in prior years, the IRS may review it more carefully.

The IRS also delays refunds when there is a mismatch between what you reported and what employers, banks, or other third parties reported to the IRS. For example, if you reported $40,000 in W-2 income but your employer reported $45,000, the IRS will flag this and ask you to clarify. If you claimed a dependent who is also claimed by someone else, the IRS will investigate. If you reported a loss that seems unusually large compared to your income, the IRS may ask for documentation. In all these cases, Get My Payment will show "There is an issue," and the IRS will mail you a letter with instructions.

If You Need Help Beyond What Get My Payment Shows

Get My Payment shows only the current status of your refund, not detailed information about why it is delayed or what specific documents the IRS needs from you. If you need more detail, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. The IRS phone lines are busiest from January through April, so expect long wait times during tax season. If you cannot reach the IRS by phone, you can visit a local IRS office in person — find the nearest one at irs.gov/localoffices.

If the IRS mailed you a letter about an issue with your return, follow the instructions in that letter rather than calling. The letter will tell you whether to mail documents, call a specific number, or visit an office. Responding to the letter is faster and more reliable than calling the general IRS line. Keep a copy of the letter and any documents you send, and consider sending them by certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status on my phone?

Yes. Get My Payment works on phones, tablets, and computers. Go to irs.gov on your phone's web browser and search for "Get My Payment." The tool is not available as a separate app — you access it through the website. You do not need to download anything.

What if Get My Payment shows a deposit date but my bank says the money was not deposited?

Wait five business days after the date shown, then contact your bank. If your bank confirms they did not receive the deposit, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the deposit date. The IRS can investigate whether the deposit was sent and to which account.

Does Get My Payment work for state tax refunds?

No. Get My Payment shows only federal tax refunds. To check your state refund, visit your state's tax agency website. Most states have their own refund tracking tool similar to Get My Payment.

Why does Get My Payment still show "Return Received" after six weeks?

The IRS processes most returns within 21 days, but some take longer. If you claimed the EITC or ACTC, the IRS holds your refund until mid-February by law. If you reported business losses, rental income, or other complex items, processing takes longer. If more than six weeks have passed and you did not claim EITC or ACTC, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask whether there is an issue with your return.

Can I change my bank account information after I file if Get My Payment shows my refund is approved?

No. Once your return is approved and a deposit date is set, you cannot change the bank account. The IRS will deposit the money into the account you provided on your return. If that account is closed or incorrect, contact your bank to ask whether they can redirect the deposit, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the problem before the deposit date.