How to Check the Status of Your 2018 Tax Return

Where to Check Your 2018 Return Status

The IRS has three ways to check a 2018 return: the Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, the IRS2Go mobile app, or by phone at 1-800-829-1040. Where's My Refund is the fastest option and updates every 24 hours. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return to use any of these tools.

If you filed a joint return, you can check using either spouse's Social Security number. The tool will show you one of three statuses: your return is being processed, your return has been processed and a refund was issued, or there is an issue with your return that requires action.

Because 2018 returns are now several years old, most have long since been processed. If you are checking now, you are likely looking for a return that was delayed, rejected, or never received. The status tool will tell you which one applies to your situation.

Key Takeaways

Use Where's My Refund on IRS.gov, the IRS2Go app, or call 1-800-829-1040 to check your 2018 return status with your Social Security number and refund amount.
The status tool updates every 24 hours and shows whether your return is still processing, has been processed, or has an issue flagged.
If your 2018 return shows no record after six months from filing, the IRS may not have received it, and you will need to file an amended return or contact the IRS directly.
A return flagged for review or correction will show a notice number; use that number to contact the IRS or find the specific notice on IRS.gov.

What the Status Messages Mean

When you check Where's My Refund, you will see one of several messages. "Return received and being processed" means the IRS has your return but has not finished reviewing it. This is normal for returns filed in January or February and can take up to 21 days in most years, though 2018 returns should have cleared this stage long ago.

"Refund approved" or "Refund issued" means the IRS processed your return and sent your refund. The tool will show the date the refund was issued and the method (direct deposit or check). If the refund was issued more than a year ago and you never received it, you will need to contact your bank or file a claim with the IRS.

"We received your return and it is being reviewed" or a message mentioning a notice means the IRS found something that needs clarification or correction. The tool will display a notice number. Write down this number and look it up on IRS.gov or call the IRS with it. Do not ignore this message — the IRS will eventually take action if you do not respond, which can result in a reduced refund or a bill.

If Your 2018 Return Shows No Record

If the status tool says it has no record of your return, the IRS did not receive it. This happens when a return is lost in the mail, rejected by the IRS computer system before being recorded, or filed under incorrect information (wrong Social Security number, for example).

First, check that you are entering your information correctly. The Social Security number must match exactly what is on your return. The filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household) must also match. If you are still getting no record after checking twice, your return was likely not received.

If you filed by mail and have no record, you can file an amended return now using Form 1040-X. Attach a copy of your original 2018 return if you have it. File the amended return by mail or electronically if your tax software allows it. Include a note explaining that this is a resubmission of your original 2018 return. Keep a copy for your records and consider mailing it certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Contacting the IRS About Your 2018 Return

If the status tool shows a notice or issue, or if you cannot reach the tool, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. Wait times are often long, especially during tax season, so call early in the day or in the afternoon on weekdays.

If you have a notice number from the status tool, give that to the representative when ready. The notice number tells the IRS exactly what issue they flagged, and the representative can explain what you need to do to resolve it. Most notices require you to send documentation by mail or to respond to a specific question in writing.

If you filed with a tax professional or used tax software, contact them first. They may have a record of whether your return was accepted by the IRS and can help you understand what the notice means. Some tax software companies offer support for IRS notices at no extra cost.

What to Do If Your Refund Was Never Received

If the status tool shows your refund was issued by direct deposit but you never saw the money, contact your bank first. Ask them to search for a deposit from the IRS in the date range shown in the status tool. Banks sometimes deposit refunds to the wrong account if the routing number was entered incorrectly on the return.

If your bank has no record of the deposit, the IRS may have issued a check instead. The status tool will say "check issued" if this happened. Checks can take two to three weeks to arrive by mail. If more than a month has passed since the issue date, the check may have been lost or cashed by someone else.

To request a replacement check or to report a missing refund, file Form 3911 with the IRS. You can mail it or fax it. Include the refund amount, the date it was issued, and an explanation of what happened. The IRS will investigate and issue a replacement check or direct deposit, though this can take several weeks.

Amended Returns and Corrections for 2018

If you filed your 2018 return but later realized you made an error, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. You have three years from the original filing date to amend a return and claim a refund. For 2018 returns, this important date is April 15, 2021, which has already passed. However, if the IRS owes you money and you file now, they will still process it, though you may not receive interest on the delayed refund.

If you owe the IRS money as a result of the amendment, file Form 1040-X as soon as you can to avoid penalties and interest. The longer you wait, the more interest accrues on the amount owed.

When you file Form 1040-X, attach a copy of your original 2018 return and explain what you are correcting. File by mail or through tax software that supports amended returns. Keep a copy for your records. The IRS will process the amended return and send you a notice with the result, which can take 8 to 12 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the IRS website say it has no record of my 2018 return?

The IRS did not receive your return, or it was rejected before being recorded in their system. This usually happens because of a mailing error, an incorrect Social Security number, or a processing problem. File an amended return using Form 1040-X now to resubmit it. Include a note explaining that this is a resubmission of your original 2018 return.

My 2018 return shows a notice number. What do I do?

Write down the notice number and look it up on IRS.gov, or call 1-800-829-1040 with the number. The notice explains what the IRS needs from you — usually documentation or a response to a question. Follow the instructions in the notice carefully and respond by the important date shown. Ignoring a notice can result in a reduced refund or a bill.

Can I still get my 2018 refund if I never filed a return?

Yes, but you must file your 2018 return now. You have no time limit to file and claim a refund, though the longer you wait, the longer the IRS takes to process it. File using Form 1040 for 2018 through tax software or a tax professional. Include all income from that year and any documents you have.

How long does it take the IRS to process a 2018 amended return?

The IRS typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to process an amended return. You can check the status of your amended return using Where's My Refund after about four weeks. The status tool will show your amended return separately from your original return.

What if I filed my 2018 return electronically but the status tool shows no record?

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the date you filed. The representative can search their system to see if your return was accepted. If it was accepted but the status tool does not show it, there may be a delay in the system updating. If it was never accepted, you will need to file an amended return or refile electronically.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.