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Published: | Last Updated: October 24, 2023
You can always check the status of your refund using “Where’s My Refund?” at IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app. “Where’s My Refund?” is updated no more than once every 24 hours, usually overnight.
If one of these apps indicates the IRS issued your refund, but you haven’t received it, your refund may have been lost, stolen, or misplaced.
If this is the case, you can ask the IRS to do a refund trace. This is the process the IRS uses to track a lost, stolen, or misplaced refund check or to verify a financial institution received a direct deposit.
What do I need to know?
Before you ask the IRS to trace your refund, you should check to make sure there aren’t any errors on your tax return, and the full processing time for a refund has passed.
Once you’ve determined that your refund is really missing, you can ask the IRS to trace the refund.
If your filing status is single, married filing separate, or head of household:
- Call the IRS Refund Hotline at
800-829-1954 and use the automated system or speak with an IRS employee, or - Go to“Where’s My Refund?”at IRS.gov or use theIRS2Go mobile appand follow the prompts to begin a refund trace.
800-829-1954 and use the automated system or speak with an IRS employee, orIf your filing status is married filing jointly
You need to completeForm 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, and mail it to the IRS address where you would normally file a paper tax return.
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What should I do?
Before you ask for a refund trace
If you asked for a direct deposit refund, double check the bank account information you provided to the IRS to be sure there were no mistakes on your tax return. The IRS assumes no responsibility for errors by you or your preparer. You should also check with your financial institution to make sure the mistake hasn’t been at their end.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act made the following changes, which became effective for the 2017 filing season, to help prevent revenue loss due to identity theft and refund fraud related to fabricated wages and withholdings:
- The IRS may not issue a credit or refund to you before February 15, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your tax return.
- This change only affects returns claiming EITC or ACTC filed before February 15.
- The IRS will hold your entire refund, including any part of your refund not associated with the EITC or ACTC.
- Neither TAS, nor the IRS, can release any part of your refund before that date, even if you’re experiencing a financial hardship.
When can I ask the IRS to trace my refund?
Direct deposit: The IRS generally direct deposits refunds within 21 days after receiving your tax return. If you don’t receive your deposit within five days after the 21 days have passed, you can request a refund trace.
Paper check: If you don’t receive your refund check within six weeks of mailing your tax return to the IRS, you can request a refund trace.
Otherwise you should contact the Tax Return Preparer who helped file your tax return.
Once you’ve determined that your refund is really missing, you can ask the IRS to trace the refund.
If your filing status is single, married filing separate, or head of household:
- Call the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954 and use the automated system or speak with an IRS employee, or
- Go to “Where’s My Refund?” at IRS.gov or use the IRS2Go mobile app and follow the prompts to begin a refund trace.
If your filing status is married filing jointly, you need to complete Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, and mail it to the IRS address where you would normally file a paper tax return.
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How will this affect me?
Once the IRS finishes tracing your refund, the IRS’s next steps depend on whether you requested your refund come to you as a direct deposit or paper check.
Direct deposit refunds
If your refund was direct deposited, the financial institution will get a letter within six weeks from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service in the Treasury Department, to verify where the deposit went.
Paper check refunds
If the check hasn’t been cashed, you’ll get a replacement refund check in about six weeks.
If your original refund check was cashed, you’ll receive a claim package within six weeks to complete and return to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service to process your claim.
If the Bureau of the Fiscal Service determines the check was forged, it will issue a replacement refund check and notify the IRS.
Denied claims
If your claim is denied, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service will send you a denial letter with instructions on how to appeal the decision.
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Wait, I still need help.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.
Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 1-877-777-4778.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.
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Did you know there is a Taxpayer Bill of Rights?
The taxpayer Bill of Rights is grouped into 10 easy to understand categories outlining the taxpayer rights and protections embedded in the tax code.
It is also what guides the advocacy work we do for taxpayers.
