The IRS phone line for refund questions is 1-800-829-1040, open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time
The IRS operates a single main refund phone line year-round. When you call, you'll reach an automated system first that asks you to select your reason for calling. For refund status, press the option for "refund information" or "where's my refund." Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return ready before you call — the system will ask for these to pull up your account.
Wait times are longest during tax season (January through April) and immediately after the filing deadline. If you reach a busy signal or a long hold queue, try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The IRS also staffs the line differently on different days; Tuesday through Thursday typically have shorter waits than Monday or Friday.
If you filed electronically, you can often get your refund status without calling. The IRS "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov updates every 24 hours and shows the same information a phone representative would give you — sometimes faster and without waiting.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-829-1040 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time; the automated system can answer refund status questions without a representative.
- Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your return ready before calling.
- The "Where's My Refund" tool on IRS.gov shows the same refund status information and updates every 24 hours without requiring a phone call.
- Wait times are shortest on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, and longest during January through April.
- If you cannot reach the IRS by phone, a tax professional or your tax software provider can sometimes retrieve your refund status on your behalf.
What the automated system can tell you without a representative
When you call 1-800-829-1040, the automated system can answer most refund questions without connecting you to a person. It will tell you whether your return has been received, whether it's being processed, and the expected deposit date if your refund has been approved. The system updates this information nightly, so if you called yesterday and got no answer, calling today may show progress.
The automated system cannot answer questions about why your refund is smaller than expected, whether a payment was applied to a past-due tax bill, or what to do if your refund never arrives. Those questions require speaking to a representative, and wait times for a live person can exceed 30 minutes during tax season.
When to speak to a representative instead of using the automated line
Press the option to speak to a representative if the automated system cannot find your return, if your refund status hasn't changed in more than 21 days after filing electronically (or 42 days after mailing a paper return), or if you received a notice from the IRS about your return. A representative can also explain why your refund is being held, whether it's been offset to pay a past-due tax bill or child support, or why a refund you expected never arrived.
Representatives can also help if you filed a return but never received a confirmation number, if you need to update your direct deposit information before the refund is sent, or if you're calling about a refund from a prior year. However, they cannot change your refund amount or speed up processing — those decisions are made by the IRS computer system based on your return.
Using the IRS Where's My Refund tool instead of calling
The IRS "Where's My Refund" tool at IRS.gov is often faster than calling, especially during tax season. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount, and the tool shows you the same status information the phone line would give you. The tool updates every 24 hours and is available 24/7, so you can check at any time without waiting on hold.
The tool works for returns filed electronically. If you mailed a paper return, the tool may not show your refund status until the IRS has scanned and processed it, which can take several weeks. Once your paper return enters the system, the tool will update like any other return.
If the tool says "return received" but gives no deposit date, your return is still being processed. If it says "still processing" after 21 days (for e-filed returns) or 42 days (for paper returns), call the IRS to find out why.
What information you need before calling
Gather these details before you dial so you don't waste time on hold looking for them:
- Your Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you don't have an SSN)
- Your filing status from the return (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.)
- The exact refund amount shown on your tax return or tax software
- The date you filed (if you mailed a paper return, the date you mailed it)
- Any IRS notice or letter you received about your return
If you're calling about a refund that was supposed to arrive by direct deposit but didn't, also have the bank account and routing number where you expected the deposit. If you're calling about a refund from a prior year, have the year and the return information from that year.
What to do if you can't reach the IRS by phone
During peak tax season, the IRS phone lines can be so busy that you may not be able to reach anyone at all. If you get a busy signal or the system says the queue is full, try calling back in a few hours or the next day. The IRS does not take callbacks or reservations, so you have to call back yourself.
If you have a tax professional who prepared your return — a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparer — they can contact the IRS on your behalf using their professional credentials. This sometimes gets you through faster than calling yourself. Your tax software provider may also be able to retrieve your refund status if you filed through them.
You can also mail a written inquiry to the IRS at the address shown on any notice they sent you, or at the address for your state on IRS.gov. Written inquiries take longer but may provide a response. Include your name, Social Security number, the tax year, and a clear description of what you're asking about.
If your refund is delayed or missing
If the IRS says your refund was approved and sent by direct deposit, but the money never arrived in your bank account, wait five business days after the stated deposit date before taking action. Bank deposits sometimes take longer than expected, especially if you filed near the end of the tax season.
If five business days have passed and the money still hasn't arrived, call the IRS again and ask them to verify the bank account number on file. If the account number is wrong, the IRS can issue a check instead. If the account number is correct but the deposit didn't go through, the IRS will investigate and may reissue the refund as a check, which takes an additional two to three weeks.
If the IRS says your refund was sent by check but you never received it, ask them for the check number and the date it was mailed. You can then file a claim with the U.S. Postal Service or ask the IRS to issue a replacement check. A replacement check typically takes two to three weeks to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update my direct deposit information after I've filed but before my refund arrives?
Yes, but only if your refund hasn't been approved yet. Call 1-800-829-1040 and ask to speak to a representative. They can change your bank account information if your return is still being processed. Once the IRS approves your refund and sends it to the bank, you cannot change the account — the money will go to the account on file when the refund was issued.
What if the IRS says my refund was offset to pay a past-due tax bill?
The IRS can use your refund to pay taxes you owe from a prior year, back child support, or certain other federal debts. A representative can explain what your refund was applied to and provide you with documentation. You can dispute the offset if you believe it was made in error, but you'll need to contact the agency that claims the debt (the IRS, state tax authority, or child support office) to do so.
How long does it take to speak to a representative if I don't use the automated system?
Wait times vary widely depending on the time of day and the time of year. During tax season (January through April), waits can exceed 30 minutes. Outside tax season, waits are usually under 15 minutes. Calling early in the morning or on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday typically results in shorter waits than calling in the afternoon or on Monday or Friday.
Can I call the IRS about a refund from last year?
Yes. Call 1-800-829-1040 and tell the automated system you're calling about a prior-year return, or ask to speak to a representative. Have the year and your return information ready. If your prior-year refund was never issued, the IRS can investigate and reissue it as a check.
What if I filed jointly but only one spouse wants to call about the refund?
Either spouse can call and ask about a joint return. The IRS will ask for the Social Security number of the person calling and the exact refund amount to verify the account. You don't need permission from the other spouse, but the IRS will not discuss details of the return with someone who is not listed on it.