The IRS Get My Payment tool shows you where a tax refund or payment is in the system

The IRS Get My Payment tool is a free tracker on IRS.gov that tells you whether the IRS has processed your payment, when it will arrive, and where it's going. You enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address, and the tool returns the status of your most recent federal tax payment or refund. It updates once per day, usually overnight.

The tool covers refunds from tax returns you filed, payments you made to the IRS directly, and Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) from 2020 and later. It does not track state tax refunds, payments to state revenue departments, or refunds from years before 2011.

You can access Get My Payment at irs.gov/payments or search "Get My Payment" on the IRS website. No login is required — you do not need an IRS account or username.

Key Takeaways

  • Get My Payment shows refund status, payment confirmation, and expected deposit date without requiring you to log in or create an account.
  • The tool updates once daily and may show "still processing" for up to 21 days after you file or make a payment.
  • If the tool says your payment was sent but you have not received it, contact your bank to confirm the deposit was not rejected or delayed on their end.
  • The tool works only for federal tax matters; state refunds and payments require your state's tax agency website.

What information you need to check your status

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current street address ready. The tool matches these three pieces of information to your IRS record. If you filed jointly, you can look up either spouse's information — the tool will show the status of the joint return or payment.

The street address must match exactly what the IRS has on file from your most recent tax return or payment record. If you moved recently and have not filed a return since the move, use the address from your last filed return, not your current address. The tool will reject a mismatch and ask you to try again.

How to read the status messages Get My Payment displays

"Still processing" means the IRS has received your return or payment but has not finished reviewing it. This status can appear for up to 21 days after filing or payment. If you see this message after 21 days, the return may be under review for errors or missing information.

"Approved" or "Accepted" means the IRS has processed your return or payment and approved it. The tool will show an expected deposit date, usually 1 to 5 business days away. This is when the IRS will send the money to your bank.

"Sent" means the IRS has released the payment to your bank. The money is in transit and should arrive within 1 to 2 business days. If you do not see the deposit after 2 business days, contact your bank — the deposit may have been rejected or delayed on their end.

"Deposited" means your bank has received and posted the money to your account. You should see it available to use when ready, though some banks hold deposits for a few hours before making them fully available.

Why the tool sometimes shows "unable to determine"

The tool returns "unable to determine" when the information you entered does not match the IRS database, or when the IRS has no record of a recent payment or refund from you. This can happen if you entered your address or date of birth incorrectly, or if you have not filed a return or made a payment in the past several years.

Check your spelling and numbers carefully — even a single digit wrong in your Social Security number or a missing apartment number in your address will cause a mismatch. Try again with the exact address from your last filed tax return.

If you are certain your information is correct and you recently filed or made a payment, wait 24 hours and check again. The tool updates once daily, and newly filed returns or payments may not appear when ready.

What to do if your payment shows as sent but you have not received it

First, confirm the deposit date the tool showed you. If that date has not yet arrived, wait — the IRS typically deposits within 1 to 5 business days of marking a payment as approved, and 1 to 2 business days after marking it as sent.

If the deposit date has passed, contact your bank's customer service line. Give them the exact amount and the date the IRS said it was sent. Your bank can tell you whether the deposit arrived on their end, was rejected, or is still pending. Some banks hold deposits for 24 to 48 hours before posting them to your account.

If your bank confirms they never received the deposit, or if the tool shows an incorrect bank account number, contact the IRS directly. Call the number on the back of your most recent tax return notice, or call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the amount ready.

Differences between Get My Payment and the IRS transcript tools

Get My Payment is a straightforward status tracker — it shows you whether money is on the way and when. The IRS Account Transcript and Tax Return Transcript are detailed records of your account history and filed returns. They show every transaction, adjustment, and payment the IRS has recorded for you over many years.

Use Get My Payment if you want a quick answer about a single recent payment or refund. Use a transcript if you need to prove your income to a lender, landlord, or government program, or if you need to see a full history of payments and adjustments. Transcripts require you to create an IRS online account or request them by mail.

When Get My Payment does not cover your situation

The tool does not track payments or refunds from state tax agencies. If you filed a state return and are waiting for a state refund, visit your state's department of revenue website. Most states have their own payment status tools.

Get My Payment also does not show information about payments made more than a few years ago, or about refunds from returns filed before 2011. If you need historical information, request a transcript from the IRS instead.

If you paid the IRS by mail and the payment has not yet arrived at the IRS processing center, Get My Payment will not show it. Mail payments typically take 2 to 4 weeks to reach the IRS and appear in the system. If you mailed a payment more than 4 weeks ago and it still does not show up, contact the IRS to confirm receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Get My Payment requires only your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address. You do not need to log in or create an account. The tool is designed to be quick and anonymous.

How often does Get My Payment update?

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you check in the morning and see "still processing," checking again the same afternoon will likely show the same status. Check again the next day for an update.

Can I use Get My Payment to track a payment I made by credit card or debit card?

Yes, if you made the payment through the IRS's official payment processors (EFTPS, IRS Direct Pay, or a card processor listed on IRS.gov). The tool will show the status once the IRS has received and processed it. Payments made through third-party services not listed on IRS.gov may not appear in Get My Payment.

What if Get My Payment shows the wrong bank account number?

Contact the IRS when ready. Call 1-800-829-1040 and have your Social Security number and filing status ready. The IRS can correct the account number on file and reissue the payment to the correct account. This usually takes 30 to 60 days.

Can I check the status of my spouse's refund if we filed jointly?

Yes. Enter your spouse's Social Security number, date of birth, and the street address from your joint return. The tool will show the status of the joint refund or payment. Both spouses will see the same status because the return and refund are filed and processed together.