Is your tax refund delayed? Here’s how the IRS App 'Where's my refund?' can help you track it

As the 2025 tax season kicks off, millions of taxpayers are eagerly awaiting their IRS tax refunds. However, delays in processing, filing errors, and security checks can sometimes lead to longer-than-expected wait times for refunds. To help taxpayers track their refund status in real time, the IRS offers the "Where’s My Refund?" tool, which provides updates on when refunds will be deposited or mailed.

With the IRS expecting over 140 million tax returns to be filed by the April 15 deadline, knowing how to use the "Where’s My Refund?" app can help taxpayers stay informed and avoid unnecessary stress.

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How ‘Where’s My Refund?’ can help track your tax refund

The IRS provides a dedicated tracking tool called "Where’s My Refund?", available both as a mobile app (IRS2Go) and on the IRS website. This tool allows taxpayers to track their refund status in three stages:

1. Return Received – The IRS has successfully received and is processing the tax return.
2. Refund Approved – The IRS has approved the refund and scheduled a payment date.
3. Refund Sent – The refund has been issued via direct deposit or mailed as a check.

Taxpayers can check their refund status 24 hours after e-filing or four weeks after mailing a paper return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

How to use ‘Where’s my refund?’ and what you need

To check refund status using "Where’s My Refund?", taxpayers need:

• Their Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Their filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.)
• Their exact refund amount from their tax return

Users can access "Where’s My Refund?" via:

• The IRS website (irs.gov/refunds)
• The IRS2Go mobile app, available for download on iOS and Android

If the tool indicates a refund delay, the IRS may require additional verification steps, such as confirming identity through ID.me or responding to an IRS notice.

What to do if your tax refund is delayed?

If a tax refund is taking longer than expected, taxpayers should:

1. Check the "Where’s My Refund?" tool daily for updates.
2. Verify that all tax return information is accurate, including Social Security numbers and bank details.
3. Ensure there are no IRS notices requesting additional information or identity verification.
4. Contact the IRS if it has been more than 21 days for e-filed returns or six weeks for mailed returns.

Common reasons for refund delays include:

• Filing errors or missing information
• Tax credits requiring additional verification (EITC, ACTC, Child Tax Credit)
• IRS security measures to prevent fraud
• Identity verification requests from the IRS