What the IRS Get My Payment tool does

Get My Payment is a tool on the IRS website that shows you where your tax refund is in the processing pipeline. It tells you whether the IRS has received your return, whether they have approved it, when they will deposit the money, and which account it is going to. You can check it as soon as you file your return, and you can check it as many times as you want.

The tool does not speed up your refund or change when it arrives. It only shows you the status. The IRS processes returns in the order they receive them, and most refunds take 21 days from the date the IRS accepts your return — though some take longer if the return needs review.

You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status to use Get My Payment. You do not need to log into an IRS account or provide a password.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment shows your refund status within 24 hours of the IRS accepting your return, and updates every 24 hours after that.
  • The tool displays three pieces of information: whether your return was received, the expected deposit date, and the bank account where the money will land.
  • You can check Get My Payment as often as you want, but the information only updates once per day, usually overnight.
  • If Get My Payment says your refund is delayed, the IRS has likely flagged your return for review — contact them only if the delay extends past 21 days from acceptance.

How to find and use Get My Payment on the IRS website

Go to irs.gov and search for "Get My Payment" in the search box at the top of the page. The tool will be the first result. Click it to open the page.

Enter your Social Security number, date of birth (in MM/DD/YYYY format), and filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household). The IRS uses this information to pull up your return from their system. Click the "Submit" button.

The page will display one of four messages: "Return Received," "Approved," "Sent to Your Bank," or "You are not may be able to access to use this tool." If you see "Return Received," the IRS has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. If you see "Approved," the IRS has accepted your return and will deposit your refund on the date shown. If you see "Sent to Your Bank," the money has left the IRS and is on its way to your account — it usually arrives within one to two business days.

When Get My Payment updates and what delays mean

Get My Payment updates once per day, usually between midnight and 1 a.m. Eastern Time. If you check it multiple times in the same day, you will see the same information. Checking it more often will not make your refund arrive faster.

If Get My Payment shows a date further away than 21 days from when the IRS accepted your return, your return is likely under review. This happens when the IRS spots something that does not match their records — a name mismatch, a Social Security number discrepancy, income that does not line up with what employers reported, or a claim (like the Earned Income Tax Credit) that triggers extra verification. The review can take several weeks.

If the delay extends past 21 days and Get My Payment still shows no deposit date, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your return in front of you and be ready to answer questions about your income and the credits you claimed. The IRS will tell you what they are reviewing and what documents they may need from you.

What to do if Get My Payment says you are not may be able to access

If the tool says "You are not may be able to access to use this tool," it usually means one of three things: the IRS does not have a record of your return yet, you entered your information incorrectly, or your return is being reviewed for fraud or identity theft.

First, double-check that you entered your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status exactly as they appear on your return. A single digit wrong will produce the "not may be able to access" message. If you are certain your information is correct, wait 24 hours and try again — the IRS may not have processed your return into their system yet.

If you filed your return more than a week ago and still cannot access Get My Payment, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit your nearest IRS office. Bring your return and a photo ID. The IRS can tell you whether your return arrived and why the tool cannot find it.

Direct deposit versus mailed check refunds

Get My Payment shows you the account where your refund will land. If you chose direct deposit on your return, the money will go to the bank account you listed. If you chose a mailed check, Get My Payment will say "Check" instead of a bank name, and you will see the date the IRS mailed it — not the date it will arrive in your mailbox.

Mailed checks usually take 7 to 10 business days to arrive after the IRS mails them, though delivery can be slower depending on where you live and mail volume. If your check does not arrive within two weeks of the date Get My Payment shows, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and they can issue a replacement.

If you filed your return and chose direct deposit but did not provide bank account information, or if the account information you provided was wrong, your refund will be mailed as a check instead. Get My Payment will show "Check" in this case.

Refund status when you owe back taxes or child support

If you owe back federal taxes, state taxes, or child support, the IRS may hold your refund to pay what you owe. Get My Payment will not show a deposit date in this case — instead, it will say your refund is delayed or will not display a status at all.

The IRS sends a notice in the mail explaining what they are holding your refund for and how much they are taking. This notice arrives separately from Get My Payment. If you believe the IRS made a mistake — for example, if you already paid the back taxes — you can dispute it by calling 1-800-829-1040 with proof of payment.

If your refund is being held for child support, contact your state's child support enforcement agency, not the IRS. They can tell you the amount owed and sometimes negotiate a payment plan that lets you receive part of your refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after I file can I check Get My Payment?

You can check Get My Payment as soon as you file, but the IRS usually does not have your return in their system for 24 hours. If you file electronically, it typically shows up within one business day. If you file by mail, it can take two to three weeks for the IRS to scan and process your return.

Why does Get My Payment say my refund is approved but no deposit date appears?

If your return is approved but no date shows, the IRS is likely still scheduling the deposit. This usually resolves within 24 hours. If it persists for more than two days, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm they have the correct bank account information.

Can I change my bank account after I file if I see it on Get My Payment?

No. Once you file your return with a bank account listed, you cannot change it through Get My Payment or the IRS website. If the account is wrong and your refund has already been sent, contact your bank to see if they can redirect it. If the bank cannot help, contact the IRS and they can issue a check instead.

What if Get My Payment shows a deposit date but the money never arrives?

Wait two business days after the date shown — bank processing can take longer than expected. If the money still has not arrived, contact your bank first to confirm they received the deposit. If your bank has no record of it, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your bank account number and routing number. The IRS can trace where the deposit went.

Do I need to create an IRS account to use Get My Payment?

No. Get My Payment does not require you to log in or create an account. You only need your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. The tool is designed to work without a password so you can check your status quickly.