Where's My Refund, decoded.
Every status, reference code and tax topic the IRS tracker shows, what it means for your money, and what to do next.
The three stages.
The IRS tracker moves through three bars. A date appears only at the second.
- Return ReceivedThe IRS has your return and is processing it. No refund date is shown at this stage. Most e-filed refunds are issued in fewer than 21 days.
- Refund ApprovedThe IRS approved the refund and shows the date it will be sent, which depends on direct deposit or paper check. The date shown is the IRS's send date, not the day your bank posts it.
- Refund SentThe refund went to your bank or was mailed as a check, on the date shown. Ask your bank first; a missing check can be traced after 28 days.
When your status appears.
After the IRS receives your return. The tracker updates no more than once a day.
| Return | Status appears after |
|---|---|
| Current-year return filed electronically | 24 hours |
| Prior-year return filed electronically | 3 or 4 days |
| Paper return | 4 weeks |
What to do, by what you see.
Return Received, under 21 days since e-file acceptance
Normal. Use the forecast on the home page with your acceptance date for a likely day.
Return Received for more than 21 days, or a reference code
Open the reference code page; codes in the review and identity groups mean a letter is coming or already sent.
You got a letter
Answer it first. Identity letters (5071C, 4883C, 5747C) release the refund after you verify.
Refund Approved
The IRS date is the one that counts. Our page only adds how many people in your week were already paid.
Refund Sent but no money
For direct deposit, ask the bank after the date shown; for a check, request a trace after 28 days.
Reference codes.
The four-digit codes the tracker shows when something needs attention, from the IRS manual (Exhibit 21.4.1-3).
Return under review
- Code 1121Problem identified
- Code 1181Refund delayed
- Code 1221Refund delayed
- Code 1241Paper return received more than 6 weeks ago
- Code 1242Electronic return received more than 3 weeks ago
- Code 1261Paper return received more than 6 weeks ago
- Code 1262Electronic return received more than 3 weeks ago
- Code 1551Frivolous Return Program freeze set by TC 971 AC 089
- Code 1561Excess credit freeze set when the taxpayer claims fewer credi...
- Code 1571Erroneous refund freeze initiated by TC 844
- Code 1581Manual refund freeze with no TC 150
Name or SSN mismatch
Held for another balance
Refund reduced by an offset
Math error corrected
Deposit or check problem
Refund paid
Bankruptcy on the account
System issue
Questions people ask
How often does Where's My Refund update?
No more than once a day, according to the IRS manual. Checking more often does not change the status.
When does Where's My Refund show my status?
24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, 3 or 4 days after you e-file a prior-year return, and 4 weeks after you mail a paper return.
What do I need to check my refund?
Your SSN or ITIN, your filing status, and the exact whole-dollar amount of the refund on your return.
Why is there no date on Return Received?
The IRS shows a date only at Refund Approved. Before that, your account transcript shows the codes (150, 570, 846) that explain where the return is.
Does Where's My Refund cover amended returns?
No. Amended returns (Form 1040-X) have their own tool, Where's My Amended Return.
Sources
- IRS: About Where's My Refund
- IRS: Where's My Refund?
- IRM 21.4.1, Refund Research (incl. Exhibit 21.4.1-3)
- IRS: Tax Topic 152
- IRS: Tax Topic 151
- IRS: Tax Topic 203
Checked against these sources on October 30, 2026.