The IRS is your first stop, but the phone number depends on what you need
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) handles all federal tax refunds. You can reach them by phone, but the number and wait time depend on whether you are calling about a refund you expect, a refund that is late, or a refund you never received. The IRS also has online tools that often answer your question faster than holding on the phone.
If you filed your return and want to know the status of your refund, start with the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool on IRS.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. The tool updates once per day and tells you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, has approved it, or has sent it out. This works for most people and takes seconds.
If you need to speak to a person, the IRS phone line is 1-800-829-1040. This is the main customer service number. Wait times are longest during tax season (January through April) and can exceed an hour. The IRS also staffs this line during filing season on weekends, which sometimes means shorter waits.
Key Takeaways
- Use the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool first — it is faster than calling and works for most refund status questions.
- Call 1-800-829-1040 if you need to speak to someone, but expect long waits during tax season.
- If your refund is more than 21 days late, the IRS can issue you a Form 3911 to file a claim.
- State tax refunds are handled by your state's tax agency, not the IRS, and have separate phone numbers and timelines.
- If you suspect identity theft or fraud on your return, call the IRS's identity theft hotline at 1-800-908-4490.
What the IRS can tell you over the phone
When you call 1-800-829-1040, the IRS can confirm whether they received your return, how far along they are in processing it, and when they expect to send your refund. They can also tell you if there is a problem with your return — for example, if the IRS needs more information from you or if there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what your employer or bank reported to them.
The IRS cannot speed up your refund or change the date it will arrive. They also cannot tell you why a refund is taking longer than expected unless there is a specific hold or error on your account. If the IRS has flagged your return for review, they will tell you that and explain what documents you need to send.
Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready when you call. If you are calling about a joint return, you will need both spouses' Social Security numbers. The wait time is often 30 minutes to over an hour during tax season.
When to file a refund claim if your money never arrived
If the IRS says your refund was sent but you never received it, you have options. First, wait at least five business days after the IRS says it was mailed — refunds sent by mail can take up to two weeks to arrive. If you chose direct deposit, the money should land in your bank account within one to two business days of the IRS sending it.
If the refund still has not arrived after that window, call 1-800-829-1040 again and ask the IRS to file a Form 3911 — an official claim that your refund was not received. The IRS will investigate and either reissue the refund or tell you what happened. This process usually takes four to six weeks.
If you chose direct deposit and the money went to the wrong bank account (for example, an old account you closed), the bank will reject the deposit and the IRS will mail you a check instead. This adds two to three weeks to the timeline. You can update your bank account information on future returns, but you cannot change where a refund goes once the IRS has already sent it.
State tax refunds have different phone numbers
Your state tax refund is separate from your federal refund and is handled by your state's tax agency, not the IRS. Each state has its own phone number, website, and timeline. Some states process refunds faster than the IRS; others are slower.
To find your state's tax refund phone number, search "[your state] tax refund status" or go to your state's department of revenue website. Most states also have an online tool similar to the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool. State refunds typically arrive within two to eight weeks of filing, depending on the state and whether your return was flagged for review.
If you filed your federal and state returns together using tax software, the software may have submitted both at the same time, but they are processed separately. Your federal refund and state refund will not necessarily arrive on the same day.
What to do if the IRS says there is a problem with your return
If you call and the IRS tells you they need more information, they will explain what documents to send and where to mail them. Common requests include proof of income, proof of a dependent, or clarification on a deduction you claimed. The IRS will give you a deadline — usually 30 days — to respond.
Send the documents by certified mail so you have proof the IRS received them. Keep a copy for your records. Once the IRS receives your documents, they will review them and either approve your refund or send you a letter explaining why they cannot. This can add four to eight weeks to your refund timeline.
If the IRS denies part or all of your refund, they will send you a letter explaining the reason and your right to appeal. You can respond to the letter or file an appeal, but you will need to follow the IRS's instructions carefully. If you are unsure how to respond, consider talking to a tax professional or calling the IRS again to ask for clarification.
Identity theft and fraud: when to call the special hotline
If you suspect someone filed a tax return using your Social Security number, or if the IRS tells you there is fraudulent activity on your account, call the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490. This is a separate line from the main customer service number and is staffed by specialists who handle identity theft cases.
The IRS will ask you to file Form 14039, an Identity Theft Affidavit, to document the fraud. You can file this form by mail or upload it through your IRS online account. The IRS will then freeze your account and investigate. This process can take several months, and your refund will be held until the investigation is complete.
If your refund was sent to a fraudulent account or address, the IRS can reissue it once they confirm your identity. Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov as well — this creates an official record and may help you if the fraudster opens accounts in your name.
Faster alternatives to calling during tax season
During tax season, the IRS phone lines are overwhelmed. If you can wait a few days, the online tools are faster and more reliable. The Where's My Refund? tool updates once per day and gives you the same information a phone representative would give you.
You can also create an account on IRS.gov and log in to view your account transcript, which shows the status of your return and any holds or issues. This requires setting up a login with an identity verification step, but once you have access, you can check your status anytime without calling.
If you used a tax preparation service like H&R Block or TurboTax, you can also contact them — they often have access to your return status and can answer basic questions about why your refund is delayed. However, they cannot change your refund or contact the IRS on your behalf unless you gave them power of attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before calling about a late refund?
The IRS says most refunds arrive within 21 days of filing. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, wait at least 21 days before calling. If you chose a mailed check, wait up to 30 days. If your refund still has not arrived after that, call 1-800-829-1040 and ask about filing a Form 3911 claim.
Can I call the IRS to ask them to send my refund to a different bank account?
No. Once the IRS has sent your refund, you cannot change where it goes. If you provided the wrong bank account and the refund was rejected, the IRS will mail you a check instead, which adds two to three weeks. For future refunds, update your bank information on your next tax return.
What if I am calling about a refund from a previous year?
Call 1-800-829-1040 and have your Social Security number and the year in question ready. The IRS can look up old returns and tell you whether a refund was issued and where it went. If a refund from a prior year was never received, you can file a Form 3911 claim for that year as well.
Do I need to provide my PIN or password when I call the IRS?
No. The IRS will ask you to verify your identity using your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. They will not ask for passwords, PINs, or banking information over the phone. If someone claiming to be from the IRS asks for this information, hang up — it is a scam.
Can a tax professional or accountant call the IRS on my behalf?
Yes, but only if you gave them power of attorney. You can file Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) with the IRS to authorize a tax professional to speak to the IRS about your account. Without this form, the IRS will not discuss your return with anyone but you.